Most Texas–Louisiana plants require (1) a TWIC from TSA – $124 for a standard enrollment since January 1, 2025, valid 5 years[1][7]; (2) an annual safety-council PSM orientation – since January 1, 2025, HASC (Houston area) and ISTC (Beaumont) offer Safety Essentials instead of Basic Orientation Plus, while Alliance Safety Council still runs BOP in Baton Rouge and, since January 2026, Nederland, Texas[2][3][4]; and (3) clearance through the plant’s drug-testing and background program, often administered by DISA[5]. Which orientation a site accepts is set by the site – ask before you book.
01.TWIC: the federal port-security card
The Transportation Worker Identification Credential is issued by TSA after a security threat assessment. It is required for unescorted access to secure areas of facilities regulated under the Maritime Transportation Security Act – which includes many refineries and chemical plants on the Houston Ship Channel, Sabine–Neches waterway and Mississippi River.
| Item | Amount / rule | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Standard enrollment or in-person renewal[1][7] | $124.00 | Down from $125.25 on Jan 1, 2025 |
| Online renewal[1][7] | $116.00 | If eligible for online renewal |
| Reduced fee[1][7] | $91.75–$93.00 | Holders of a comparable threat assessment (e.g., HME); sources differ |
| Replacement card[1][7] | $60.00 | Lost, stolen or damaged |
| Validity | 5 years | Unless revoked earlier |
Fees per TSA’s April 2025 Federal Register notice and its January 2025 fee change. TSA can revise fees; the enrollment portal shows the final total before you pay.
- Apply early. Enrollment is in person at a TSA enrollment center (fingerprints, ID documents), followed by a background check. Do not wait for a call-out to start.
- Renewals: start before the expiration date printed on the card. An expired TWIC can keep you out of the gate on day one.
02.The safety-council orientation: Safety Essentials or Basic Plus?
Plants covered by OSHA’s Process Safety Management standard require contractor employees to be trained in the hazards of the work. On the Gulf Coast this is done through a reciprocal orientation from a regional safety council, renewed every year. For years that course was Basic Orientation Plus (BOP). That changed in 2025:
| Council | Area | Course offered (2026) | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| HASC[2] | Houston / Pasadena / Baytown area | Safety Essentials (refresher: Safety Essentials Enhancer) | Jan 1, 2025 |
| ISTC[3] | Beaumont / Port Arthur, plus a Baytown center | Safety Essentials (refresher: Enhancer) | Jan 1, 2025 |
| Alliance Safety Council[4][6] | Baton Rouge, Sulphur (LA), Nederland (TX) | Basic Orientation Plus (BOP) and BOP Refresher | Nederland opened Jan 2026 |
Course availability as published by each council. Acceptance is decided by each plant owner and contractor.
Ads that say “Basic Plus from HASC or ISTC” are out of date: both councils stopped delivering BOP on January 1, 2025 and now deliver Safety Essentials[2][3]. ISTC says Safety Essentials is valid for one year and that site acceptance varies, and it still records BOP cards taken before the change[3]. Alliance reopened BOP in Texas because many sites still accept it[6].
- Ask the hiring contractor which card the site takes before you pay for a class. Louisiana sites and Texas sites do not always accept the same course.
- Plan for site-specific orientation on top of the council card. Most plants add their own site rules and badging on the first day.
03.Drug testing and background checks (DISA and others)
Plant owners require contractors to run their workers through a drug and alcohol testing program and, at many sites, a background check. On the Gulf Coast these programs are commonly administered through consortiums such as DISA Global Solutions[5]; some owners use other providers.
- Expect a test at hire and random testing on site. A positive or refused test is recorded in the consortium and can block you from other participating sites.
- Background checks vary by owner. Ask the contractor what the site requires so there are no surprises at badging.
04.A 30-day checklist before a turnaround call
| When | Task |
|---|---|
| 30+ days out | Check TWIC expiration; start renewal or new enrollment |
| 30 days out | Ask the contractor which safety orientation the site accepts (Safety Essentials or BOP) |
| 2–3 weeks out | Take or refresh the orientation; keep the card or record number |
| 1–2 weeks out | Gather craft certifications (welding qualifications, NCCCO for crane, fall protection, etc.) |
| First day | Drug test, site-specific orientation, badging |
General planning guide. Individual contractors and sites set their own requirements and timing.
For what the next seasons look like, see our turnaround season outlook. For who is hiring, use the contractor directory.
05.Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a TWIC card cost in 2026?
Since January 1, 2025, a standard TWIC enrollment or in-person renewal costs $124.00, an online renewal $116.00, and a replacement card $60.00. The reduced fee for holders of a comparable threat assessment is about $92-93. Confirm the total on the TSA enrollment portal before paying.
Is Basic Plus still required for Gulf Coast refineries?
It depends on the site. HASC and ISTC replaced Basic Orientation Plus with Safety Essentials on January 1, 2025. Alliance Safety Council still offers BOP in Baton Rouge, Sulphur and Nederland, Texas. Ask the contractor which card the site accepts.
How long is Safety Essentials valid?
ISTC states that Safety Essentials is valid for one year from the date taken; the annual renewal course is the Safety Essentials Enhancer.
How long is a TWIC valid?
Five years, unless TSA revokes it earlier.
What is DISA in refinery jobs?
DISA Global Solutions runs drug-testing and background-check programs used by many Gulf Coast plant owners and contractors. Results are shared across participating sites.
Sources
- [1] Federal Register — TSA TWIC information collection notice with current fees (Apr 29, 2025)
- [2] Lewis and Clark Community College (HASC location) — Safety Essentials replaces BOP at all HASC locations from Jan 1, 2025
- [3] ISTC — ISTC transitions to Safety Essentials for PSM training
- [4] Alliance Safety Council — Baton Rouge training center (BOP / BOP Refresher)
- [5] DISA Global Solutions
- [6] 10/12 Industry Report — Alliance Safety Council is bringing BOP back to Texas (Dec 1, 2025)
- [7] Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay — TSA adjusts TWIC fees for 2025 (Jan 3, 2025)
All sources accessed November 1, 2026. Fees, course names and schedules change; confirm with the issuing body or your employer before you pay or travel.