SCAC API & Data Access
Trust signals for carrier verification
—where decisions happen.
Freight moves fast. Fraud moves faster.

When onboarding carriers, tendering freight, or validating partners, you need a simple, authoritative way to check carrier status, without slowing operations or exposing sensitive data.
The National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc.® (NMFTA)™ provides multiple ways to access Standard Carrier Alpha Code® (SCAC)™ data so you can verify carrier status with confidence, at scale, and inside the systems you already use.
Start with the right SCAC solution
Whether you need a one-off lookup or automated, high-volume data access, SCAC products are designed to meet you where you operate.

SCAC API
Real-time status checks, embedded directly into your platform or workflow, with 10k, 25k, and 100k record options available.
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Validate SCAC status during onboarding, tendering, or pickup.
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Reduce manual checks and rework.
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Deliver consistent trust signals across internal and external systems.
Best for: load boards, TMS providers, brokers, 3PLs, and digital freight platforms.

SCAC Data Services
Bulk SCAC data delivered on a scheduled basis.
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Daily or quarterly files for internal systems and reporting.
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Support audits, analytics, and large-scale reconciliation.
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Maintain alignment with NMFTA's authoritative SCAC records.
Best for: insurers, enterprise shippers, analytics teams, and data partners.

SCAC Verified
A searchable directory for fast, on-demand checks.
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Look up carriers by SCAC, company name, MC number, or DOT number.
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Confirm current SCAC status in seconds.
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Ideal for manual reviews, exception handling, and spot checks.
Best for: brokers, shippers, insurers, and teams validating carriers one at a time.
Privacy and Data Protection
NMFTA does not display or sell personal data. Only verification status is associated with a SCAC.
What SCAC Data Enables
SCAC data isn't just reference information, it's a decision signal. Use it to:

Verify carriers during onboarding, before freight is assigned
Confirm status, at tender or pickup, when fraud risk is highest


Standardize trust checks across teams, partners, and platforms
One code. One check. Fewer blindspots.
Status-Only by Design
SCAC data access is intentionally built to support trust without exposing personal or sensitive information.
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No personal identity data is shared.
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Designed to meet modern data-governance expectations.
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Governed and maintained by the NMFTA.


Built Into the Freight Ecosystem
SCAC is already embedded across transportation, logistics, insurance, and compliance workflows.
API and data services extend that foundation into modern digital environments—so trust travels with the freight.
When everyone checks the same signal, fraud has fewer places to hide.
Choose the Method That Fits Your Operation
Whether you need manual lookup, real-time system integration, or scheduled data delivery, NMFTA makes SCAC data available in ways that scale with your business.
Speak with an Expert
Unsure which solution is best for your operations? Consult our trusted SCAC team.
Got Questions?
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SCAC API and data services provide status-only SCAC information, such as whether a SCAC is active, expired, or pending renewal. The data confirms the current status of a carrier’s SCAC as maintained by NMFTA.
No personal identity information or documents are included.
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The difference is how the data is accessed.
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SCAC Verified is a web-based lookup tool used to manually search and check individual SCACs.
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SCAC API & Data Access is designed for system-to-system use, allowing SCAC status to be checked automatically within platforms, applications, or internal workflows.
Both use the same authoritative SCAC data from NMFTA.
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No. At this time, ID verification applies only to Non-Class 8 carriers. Class 8 carriers do not need to complete ID verification at this time.
Non-Class 8 includes all vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 33,000 pounds or less.
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No. ID verification is not a certification, safety rating, license, or performance approval. It confirms identity only.
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NMFTA is rolling out ID verification in phases. If requirements expand, changes will be communicated clearly and in advance.
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The ID Verification process is an extra $5 fee on top of the SCAC fee. If a verification is a failure (i.e., rejected), the customer will be charged again to retry.
Helpful Resources Before You Verify

Check Your SCAC Expiration
Confirm your SCAC’s current status and expiration date before renewing. This quick check helps ensure you’re renewing the correct code and avoiding any lapse in active status.

Who Needs ID Verification
ID verification doesn’t apply to every carrier. This guide breaks down who needs to verify, why it’s required, and how it fits into the SCAC issuance and renewal process.

Renewal ID Verification
Learn when identity verification is required during renewal and how it works. This step helps protect your SCAC from misuse and supports trust across the freight industry. Currently applies to non-Class 8 carriers.