How to Get TSA PreCheck: Step-by-Step

What TSA PreCheck Gets You

TSA PreCheck gives you access to an expedited security screening lane at over 200 U.S. airports. In the PreCheck lane, you don't have to:

• Remove your shoes
• Take your laptop out of your bag
• Remove your 3-1-1 liquids bag
• Take off your belt or light jacket

The PreCheck line is almost always shorter than the regular line, and the screening process itself is faster because you're not juggling bins of shoes and electronics. Most PreCheck travelers get through security in under 10 minutes, even at busy airports.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

You're eligible for TSA PreCheck if you're:

• A U.S. citizen
• A U.S. lawful permanent resident
• A citizen of a partner country enrolled in Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI

You must be at least 12 years old to apply. Children under 12 can use the PreCheck lane when traveling with a PreCheck-enrolled parent or guardian.

Certain criminal convictions can disqualify you, including espionage, sedition, treason, terrorism-related offenses, and some transportation security violations. Minor offenses generally won't disqualify you, but TSA reviews each application individually.

Step 2: Choose an Enrollment Provider

TSA uses three enrollment providers. Pick the one with an enrollment center near you:

• IDEMIA - The largest provider with the most enrollment locations nationwide
• CLEAR - Yes, the same CLEAR from airport security. They also handle PreCheck enrollment
• Telos - A newer option with growing locations

Visit tsa.gov/precheck to see enrollment locations near you and choose a provider. All three lead to the same TSA PreCheck membership.

Step 3: Complete the Online Application

Start your application online through your chosen provider's website. The application takes about 5 minutes and asks for:

• Full legal name (as it appears on your ID)
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Address and contact information
• Citizenship and immigration information
• Employment history
• Criminal history (if applicable)

You don't pay during the online application. Payment happens at the in-person appointment.

Step 4: Schedule an In-Person Appointment

After completing the online application, you'll be prompted to schedule an in-person appointment at an enrollment center. You can also walk in without an appointment at many locations, but scheduling guarantees a spot and minimizes your wait time.

Many enrollment centers are located inside airports, which is convenient if you're already traveling. You can also find locations at office buildings and other facilities in major cities.

Step 5: Attend the In-Person Appointment

The in-person visit takes about 10 minutes. Bring:

• A valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or military ID)
• Proof of citizenship or immigration status (passport, birth certificate, permanent resident card)
• Payment of $85 (credit card, debit card, or money order)

During the appointment, the enrollment agent will:

• Verify your identity documents
• Take your fingerprints
• Take your photo
• Collect your payment

Step 6: Wait for Approval

After your appointment, TSA runs a background check. Most applicants are approved within 2-3 weeks, though it can take up to 60 days. Some applicants report getting approval within a few days.

You'll receive notification of your approval status and your Known Traveler Number (KTN) by email or mail. You can also check your status online through the enrollment provider's website.

Step 7: Add Your KTN to Your Bookings

Once approved, you'll receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN). This is the key to getting PreCheck on your boarding pass. Add it to:

• Your airline loyalty program profiles (Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus, etc.)
• Each flight booking when you purchase tickets
• Travel management tools if you book through a corporate travel system

If you forget to add your KTN when booking, you can usually add it later by managing your reservation on the airline's website. You can also ask a gate agent to add it at the airport, though this doesn't always work.

The Cost

TSA PreCheck costs $85 for five years of membership. That breaks down to $17 per year or about $1.42 per month. If you fly even twice a year, the time savings easily justify the cost.

Renewals cost $70 and can be done online without another in-person appointment. You can renew up to six months before your membership expires.

Getting It for Free

Many travel credit cards reimburse the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee as a card benefit. Cards from Chase, American Express, Capital One, Citi, and others commonly include this perk. Check your credit card benefits before paying out of pocket.

TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry

Global Entry costs $120 for five years and includes all the benefits of TSA PreCheck plus expedited U.S. customs clearance when returning from international trips. If you travel internationally even once every few years, Global Entry is the better value since it includes PreCheck and only costs $35 more.

The downside: Global Entry requires a more extensive background check and an interview with a Customs and Border Protection officer, which can mean longer wait times for appointments and approval.

Tips for a Smooth Process

• Apply well before a trip - Don't wait until the week before your flight. Allow at least 3-4 weeks for processing
• Double-check your name - Your application name must match your ID exactly. Middle names, suffixes, and hyphens all matter
• Set a renewal reminder - PreCheck expires after five years. Set a calendar reminder a few months before expiration
• Check your boarding pass - Even with a KTN on file, PreCheck isn't guaranteed on every boarding pass. It appears most of the time, but occasionally it doesn't. If it's missing, ask the airline to add it

What the PreCheck Experience Is Actually Like

Here's what happens when you have PreCheck and arrive at the airport. You walk to the TSA checkpoint and look for the PreCheck lane (it's marked with signs and usually has a shorter line). Show your ID and boarding pass to the TSA officer at the podium. Then walk through the metal detector (not the full-body scanner) with your shoes on, belt on, jacket on, laptop in your bag, and liquids in your bag.

That's it. No bins overflowing with shoes and laptops. No hopping on one foot while putting your shoes back on. No repacking your bag after pulling everything out. The whole process takes 2-5 minutes on most days.

On busy travel days (Thanksgiving, Christmas, summer Fridays), even the PreCheck line can get long. But it still moves faster than the regular line because passengers aren't spending time removing items.

Common Questions About the Application

People worry about the background check, but it's not as intense as it sounds. TSA checks for criminal history, outstanding warrants, and immigration violations. A speeding ticket or minor misdemeanor isn't going to get you denied. Serious felonies, especially those related to transportation security, will.

If you're denied, TSA doesn't always explain why in detail. You can request a review through the DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP). Denials are relatively rare for applicants without serious criminal records.

Which Airlines Participate

Nearly all major U.S. airlines participate in TSA PreCheck, including American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, Spirit, Frontier, and Hawaiian Airlines. Many international airlines operating flights from U.S. airports also participate.

Check the TSA website for the full list of participating airlines. If your airline doesn't participate, you won't see the PreCheck indicator on your boarding pass even if you're enrolled. This is rare with major carriers but can happen with some smaller or charter airlines.