How Much Does a Hazmat Endorsement Cost in 2026?

Q: How much does TSA fingerprinting cost for Hazmat?

TSA fingerprinting for the Hazmat endorsement costs approximately $87-100 through IdentoGO, the TSA's authorized enrollment provider. This fee covers the fingerprinting appointment and the federal background check (Security Threat Assessment). Prices may vary slightly by location.

Q: What is the cheapest way to get a Hazmat endorsement?

The cheapest way to get a Hazmat endorsement is to use the lowest-cost FMCSA-approved ELDT provider. DLA Academy offers Hazmat ELDT for $20 — significantly less than the $50-109 charged by many competitors. The TSA background check ($87-100) and state DMV fee ($5-30) are fixed costs that cannot be reduced.

Updated April 2026 · Full Cost Breakdown · DLA Academy

The total cost of a Hazmat endorsement in 2026 is approximately $112–$150. This includes three separate fees — ELDT theory training, TSA fingerprinting, and your state DMV endorsement fee. The only cost you can control is the ELDT fee. DLA Academy offers FMCSA-approved Hazmat ELDT for $20 — the lowest price available.

Complete Cost Breakdown

Cost Item	Provider	Amount
Hazmat ELDT Theory Training FMCSA-required before DMV knowledge test	DLA Academy	$20
TSA Security Threat Assessment Fingerprinting & background check through IdentoGO	IdentoGO / TSA	$87–$100
State DMV Endorsement Fee Varies by state — paid at your local DMV	Your State DMV	$5–$30
Total Estimated Cost		$112–$150

Cost #1 — Hazmat ELDT: $20

Since February 7, 2022, federal law requires all CDL drivers adding a Hazmat endorsement for the first time to complete ELDT theory training from an FMCSA-approved provider. This is a mandatory cost — you cannot skip it.

What you can control is which provider you use. Prices vary significantly:

DLA Academy — $20

FMCSA-approved, listed on TPR
Accepted in 49 states
Auto-submitted to TPR within 24 hours
Self-paced, any device
Under 2 hours to complete

Many Competitors — $50–$109

Same FMCSA-required content
Same TPR submission requirement
2.5x to 5x higher price
No additional benefit over $20
Check TPR before paying

Always verify before you pay. Before purchasing ELDT from any provider, verify they are listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry at tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov/Check. If they are not listed, your state DMV will not accept their completion — regardless of what the provider claims.

Cost #2 — TSA Fingerprinting: $87–$100

The Hazmat endorsement requires a federal background check called a Security Threat Assessment (STA), conducted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). This is mandatory and cannot be waived — it applies to all CDL drivers adding a Hazmat endorsement, regardless of experience or background.

The fingerprinting appointment is scheduled through IdentoGO, the TSA's authorized enrollment provider. The cost is typically $87–$100 depending on location. This fee covers:

The fingerprinting appointment itself
The federal background check review by TSA
Processing and notification of results

The TSA background check takes 4–8 weeks. This is the longest step in the entire Hazmat endorsement process — and the one most drivers underestimate. Start your IdentoGO appointment the same day you complete your ELDT to run both processes simultaneously. Every day you delay is a day added to your total timeline.

Cost #3 — State DMV Endorsement Fee: $5–$30

After passing the Hazmat knowledge test at your state DMV, you will pay a fee to have the H endorsement added to your CDL. This fee is set by your state and varies:

Texas: approximately $11
California: approximately $28
Florida: approximately $7
Georgia: approximately $5
Most states: $5–$30 range

Check your state DMV website or our Hazmat ELDT by State page for the exact fee in your state.

Does My Employer Pay for Hazmat ELDT?

Many trucking companies, carriers, and fleet operators pay for their drivers' ELDT training — especially when they are requiring the Hazmat endorsement as a condition of employment. If your employer is requiring the endorsement, ask them upfront whether they cover the ELDT cost.

The TSA fingerprinting fee is typically paid by the driver, though some employers reimburse it as well. The state DMV fee is almost always paid by the driver.

Start Hazmat ELDT — Only $20

FMCSA-approved · Auto-submitted to TPR within 24 hours · Accepted in 49 states · Under 2 hours · 5.0 stars · 3,000+ graduates

Start Hazmat ELDT — $20 Bundle with Test Prep — $30

FMCSA-Approved 5.0 Stars · 35+ Reviews 3,000+ Graduates 49 States

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Hazmat endorsement cost total?+

The total cost in 2026 is approximately $112–$150. This includes Hazmat ELDT ($20 at DLA Academy), TSA fingerprinting ($87–$100 through IdentoGO), and your state DMV endorsement fee ($5–$30 depending on your state).

How much does Hazmat ELDT cost?+

DLA Academy offers Hazmat ELDT for $20 — the lowest price available for FMCSA-approved theory training. Many providers charge $50–$109 for the same course. DLA Academy's $20 course is accepted in 49 states and auto-submitted to the FMCSA TPR within 24 hours.

How much does TSA fingerprinting cost for Hazmat?+

TSA fingerprinting through IdentoGO costs approximately $87–$100. This covers the fingerprinting appointment and the federal Security Threat Assessment background check. Prices may vary slightly by location.

What is the cheapest way to get a Hazmat endorsement?+

Use the lowest-cost FMCSA-approved ELDT provider. DLA Academy offers Hazmat ELDT for $20 — significantly less than most competitors. The TSA background check ($87–$100) and state DMV fee ($5–$30) are fixed costs that cannot be reduced.

Does my employer pay for Hazmat ELDT?+

Many carriers and fleet operators pay for their drivers' ELDT training when the Hazmat endorsement is required for employment. Ask your employer upfront. At $20, DLA Academy's Hazmat ELDT is easy for employers to cover — some providers charge $50–$109 for the same course.

Hazmat ELDT — $20 FMCSA-Approved · Auto-submitted to TPR

Enroll — $20