How to learn about you have TSA PreCheck

The fastest way to check is to visit the official TSA PreCheck website at tsa.gov/precheck and use their Known Traveler Number (KTN) lookup tool. You will need your full name, date of birth, and the email address you used when you enrolled. If you have an active membership, your KTN will appear on screen — that number is what you enter when you book flights.

You can also check by calling the TSA PreCheck customer service line at 1-855-347-8371. Have your identification ready. They will confirm your membership status and tell you when your membership expires. If you enrolled more than five years ago, your membership has likely expired and you would need to renew it.

A third option is to look at your driver's license or state ID. Some states print your KTN directly on the card if you provided it during renewal. Check the back or any additional fields — it will be labeled as your Known Traveler Number.

Key Takeaways

  • The TSA PreCheck website lookup tool is the quickest way to confirm your membership status and find your Known Traveler Number.
  • TSA PreCheck memberships expire five years from the date you were approved, and you must renew before that date to keep your benefits.
  • If you enrolled through a trusted traveler program like Global Entry or NEXUS, you automatically have TSA PreCheck and can use the same KTN.
  • Your airline reservation system will show whether PreCheck is active on your account once you enter your correct KTN at booking.

What to do if you cannot find your Known Traveler Number

Check your email for the approval letter you received when you first enrolled. TSA sends a confirmation email with your KTN, approval date, and expiration date. Search your inbox and spam folder for messages from tsa.gov or PreCheck enrollment centers. If you still cannot locate it, the phone line at 1-855-347-8371 will retrieve it for you in minutes.

If you have Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI (the trusted traveler programs that include TSA PreCheck), your KTN is the same number you use for those programs. You can find it on your trusted traveler card or in the CBP Border Patrol app if you enrolled in one of those programs instead.

How to enter your KTN when booking a flight

When you purchase a ticket online or by phone, the airline will ask for your Known Traveler Number during checkout. Enter it exactly as it appears in your approval letter — it is usually nine digits. Some airlines call this field "TSA PreCheck Number" or "Trusted Traveler Number." If you leave it blank, you will not receive PreCheck benefits on that flight even if your membership is active.

After you book, log into your airline account and check your reservation. Your boarding pass should display "TSA Pre✓" next to your name if the number was entered correctly. If it does not appear, contact the airline to add it before your flight — you cannot add it at the airport.

Signs your TSA PreCheck membership has expired

Your membership lasts exactly five years from your approval date. The easiest way to check the expiration date is to look at your approval email or call 1-855-347-8371. You can also visit the TSA PreCheck website and enter your information in the lookup tool — it will show your expiration date next to your status.

If your membership has expired, you will not see "TSA Pre✓" on your boarding pass even if you enter your old KTN at booking. You would need to go through the enrollment process again, which includes an in-person appointment at an enrollment center and a new background check. The process takes about two weeks from appointment to approval.

What happens if you use an expired KTN

If you try to use an expired Known Traveler Number, the airline system will either reject it or accept it but not set up PreCheck on your boarding pass. You will go through standard security screening instead of the PreCheck lane. The TSA does not penalize you for using an expired number — it straightforward will not work.

To avoid this at the airport, check your membership status before you travel. If it has expired and you want PreCheck for your trip, you can enroll in the expedited process at some airports, though this is not available everywhere and takes longer than booking with an active membership.

If you enrolled through a different trusted traveler program

Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI all include TSA PreCheck as a benefit. If you have any of these memberships, you automatically have PreCheck and use the same Known Traveler Number for all of them. You do not need to enroll in TSA PreCheck separately.

To find your number, check your trusted traveler card, look at your approval email from that program, or use the CBP Border Patrol app if you enrolled in Global Entry. Enter that same number when you book flights, and PreCheck will be active on your boarding pass.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my TSA PreCheck status without my KTN?

Yes. Call 1-855-347-8371 with your full name, date of birth, and the email address you used to enroll. The representative will look up your account and tell you whether your membership is active and when it expires. You do not need your KTN to verify your status.

What if the TSA website says I have no record of enrollment?

This usually means you never completed the enrollment process or your membership expired more than a year ago and was removed from the system. Call the customer service line to confirm. If you never finished enrolling, you would need to start the process over with a new in-person appointment.

Do I need TSA PreCheck if I have Global Entry?

No. Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck automatically. You use the same Known Traveler Number for both programs. When you book a flight, enter your Global Entry KTN and you will receive PreCheck benefits at U.S. airports.

Will TSA PreCheck show up on my boarding pass if I forget to enter my KTN?

No. You must enter your Known Traveler Number at the time of booking. If you forget and realize it after you have purchased your ticket, contact the airline to add it to your reservation before your flight. You cannot add it at the airport.

How long does TSA PreCheck last after I enroll?

Your membership is valid for five years from the date you were approved. After five years, it expires and you must renew. You can renew up to six months before your expiration date by going through the renewal process, which is faster than initial enrollment.