Encoding Error May Cause TWICs to be Rejected by Electronic Readers

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently announced that an encoding error on some 26,000 Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWICs) may result in those TWICs being rejected by electronic TWIC readers. The error – which only affects cards issued prior to April 5, 2011 – resulted from a code number being incorrectly embedded on the card’s microchip.

TSA has published a list of TWIC serial numbers that may have the encoding error and will replace affected cards free of charge. TSA has also published a FAQ with further instructions on obtaining a replacement TWIC.