Security Policy Alert: TSA Issues Final ASP Amendment to Make Rap Back Program Mandatory

September 29, 2021

TSA issued as final an Airport Security Program (ASP) amendment to require airport operators to participate in the Rap Back program. TSA has posted the final ASP National Amendment, TSA-NA-21-03: CHRCs and the FBI Rap Back Program, on HSIN. 

TSA also posted several related documents, including the transmittal memo, an updated Rap Back Program Privacy Informational Briefing (which TSA plans to update with audio in the near future), and the Rap Back User Guide. In addition, TSA posted the Federal Register notice related to temporary exemption of certain aircraft operator security standards and a consolidated disposition of comments for the program changes for airport operators, aircraft operators and full all-cargo operators. TSA is concurrently issuing final security program changes to the Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program (AOSSP) and Full All-Cargo Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program (FACAOSSP).   

TSA-NA-21-03 will take effect on March 29, 2022. Airport operators then have a two-year timeframe to ensure all covered individuals are subscribed to Rap Back..

TSA also plans to update the Security Directive 1542-04-08 series to review CHRC and Rap Back-related requirements and align the SD to procedures found in the final ASP National Amendment. The SD 1542-04-08 series will be revised and released on or before the effective date of the final ASP National Amendment.