U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Worker Program (TWP) introduces eBadge: a new program that streamlines the application process for aviation workers requiring access to the CBP Federal Inspection Services (FIS) areas at airports. 

eBadge went live April 2, 2020 and is a joint effort between TSA and CBP.

Traditionally, workers needed to apply for a Secure Identification Display Area (SIDA) badge through their Airport Badging Office (ABO), and then visit the airport’s local CBP office to apply for a CBP seal using CBP Form 3078.  Upon successful vetting by CBP, CBP would provide the Airport Badging Office with a holographic sticker to affix to the applicant’s SIDA badge. 

Now, aviation workers can apply for both access privileges simultaneously using a single application. The information collected at the time of the SIDA application populates in TWP, streamlining the vetting and issuance processes. By reducing administrative burden, and eliminating duplicative enrollment submissions, workers are able to obtain a FIS seal on their SIDA badges faster.

• Since eBadge went live, TSA has successfully on-boarded 42% of eligible airports to participate in eBadge.  This occurred in spite of personnel shortages at Airport Badging Offices and CBP Seal Offices due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
• As of April 25, 2021, there have been over 186,000 successful eBadge submissions across 32 participating airports.
• It takes approximately one minute to submit an electronic application from the Designated Aviation Channeler to CBP for processing.
• TSA and CBP program offices engage in continuous outreach and support sessions with participating airports, as well as those that are interested in participating.

Further Questions? Email Aviation.Workers@tsa.dhs.gov or ebadge@cbp.dhs.gov

TWP eBadge is a new CBP credentialing system that eliminates duplicative biographic and biometric data checks and expedites the processing of applications of individuals who apply for both a Security Identification Display Area (SIDA) badge and a CBP-issued Seal that grants unescorted access privileges to the CBP-controlled Federal Inspection Service (FIS) area at an airport.

Airports may submit CBP Seal applications for eBadge through the airport Badging Office (ABO) as part of the SIDA badge application process. The eBadge request, along with the applicant’s fingerprints and biographic information are submitted through the airport’s Designated Aviation Channeler (DAC) to TSA and CBP.

Applicants for TWP eBadge must request this privilege as part of a TSA approved SIDA badge application through the ABO.

The FIS Seal Coordinator (CBP Officer) will approve the application for a CBP seal and notify the airport. The airport will then apply the CBP seal (hologram) to the airport issued SIDA badge.

Applicants must reapply for a CBP Seal in accordance with an airport’s SIDA badge application processing requirements.

Airports should contact their IDMS providers and DACs to inquire about eBadge implementation. Airports are encouraged to work with their IDMS providers and DACs to develop the necessary interface between both parties to support eBadge data transmission.

Yes. As of March 2021, both DAC portals directly provide airports the capability to indicate that an applicant is intending to apply for a CBP seal via eBadge. Airports interested in using eBadge should contact their DAC for more information on how to get started.

Participation in TWP eBadge is not mandatory. TWP eBadge is not required by CBP regulations, but it is the only CBP program available to facilitate faster issuance of CBP Seals. For POEs that choose not to pursue eBadge, their CBP seal application(s) must be processed manually after the applicant’s SIDA badge is approved by TSA.

There are ninety airports that are currently eligible to participate in the TWP eBadge program, subject to the discretion of the individual CBP Port Director and the ability of the Airport’s DAC and IDMS, if they agree to support eBadge. For additional information, CBP port directors and/or CBP seal officers should contact their ABO and DAC.

There are currently thirty-eight airports participating in eBadge:

• Albany International Airport
• Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
• Bradley International Airport
• Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport
• Buffalo Niagara International Airport
• Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
• Charleston International Airport
• Charlotte/Douglas International Airport
• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
• Daniel K. Inouye International Airport
• Washington Dulles International Airport
• Kansas City International Airport
• Chicago Midway International Airport
• Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport
• Metropolitan Oakland International Airport
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
• Portsmouth International Airport at Pease
• Reno-Tahoe International Airport
• Southwest Florida International Airport
• Savannah Hilton Head International Airport
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
• San Francisco International Airport
• Luis Munoz Marin International Airport
• Salt Lake City International Airport
• Sarasota Bradenton International Airport
• Syracuse Hancock International Airport
• Tampa International Airport
• Miami International Airport
• John F. Kennedy International Airport
• Lambert-Saint Louis International Airport
• Stewart International Airport
• Orlando International Airport
• Newark Liberty International Airport
• San Jose Mineta International Airport
• San Diego International Airport

Currently, there is no TSA regulatory requirement for airports to participate in TWP eBadge.

CBP seals are processed manually at locations not utilizing the eBadge program. The manual data entry process is much less efficient and may result in delayed processing at some locations depending on staffing and workload.

CBP seal offices will continue to collect CBP Form 3078, which captures employment and residential history and remains a requirement to apply for a CBP seal. Check with your local CBP seal office for the preferred method of collecting the requested documentation. ABOs are not required to collect additional biographic information specific to the CBP seal process.

Inquiries can be submitted to aviation.workers@tsa.dhs.gov.

You can contact your local CBP office for eBadge information or you can send inquiries to eBadge@cbp.dhs.gov.