You must remove your shoes at TSA security checkpoints in most cases, but exceptions exist for certain travelers and footwear types.

TSA officers will ask you to take off your shoes as part of standard screening at airport security. Shoes go through the X-ray machine separately so officers can see inside them and check the soles. This is a security measure that has been in place since the early 2000s and applies to nearly all passengers at U.S. airports.

However, you do not have to remove your shoes if you are 75 years old or older, traveling with a valid TSA PreCheck membership, or enrolled in another trusted traveler program like Global Entry or NEXUS. Children under 12 also do not need to remove shoes during PreCheck screening. If you wear medical footwear or have a foot condition that makes removing shoes difficult, tell the officer before screening begins — they can observe you removing shoes or allow you to keep them on while they conduct additional screening.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard TSA screening requires all passengers to remove shoes, which are then X-rayed separately.
  • TSA PreCheck members, travelers 75 and older, and children under 12 with PreCheck do not need to remove shoes.
  • Medical footwear or foot conditions may may have access to you for an exception if you inform the officer in advance.
  • Wearing slip-on shoes speeds up the process even when removal is required.

How the shoe screening process works

When you reach the security checkpoint, you place your shoes in a bin and send them through the X-ray machine along with your carry-on bags. The officer watches the X-ray image to may support nothing is hidden inside the sole or heel. While your shoes are being scanned, you walk through the metal detector or body scanner in your socks or bare feet.

The entire process takes less than a minute for most travelers. Your shoes come out the other side of the X-ray machine, and you put them back on before moving to the next checkpoint area. If an officer needs to inspect your shoes more closely, they may swab them for explosive residue or open them for a visual check.

TSA PreCheck and other programs that skip shoe removal

TSA PreCheck costs $78 to $85 for five years and lets you keep shoes on during screening at participating U.S. airports. You also keep your belt, light jacket, and laptop in your bag. PreCheck has its own security lanes at major airports, and the screening is faster overall.

Global Entry ($100 for five years) and NEXUS ($120 for five years) both include TSA PreCheck benefits, so members get the same shoe exemption. Military members with a valid military ID and some federal employees also skip shoe removal. If you travel frequently or wear orthopedic shoes, PreCheck pays for itself in convenience and time saved.

Age-based exceptions and medical footwear

Passengers 75 and older do not need to remove shoes during standard screening. This exemption recognizes that removing and replacing shoes can be difficult or unsafe for older travelers. You still go through the metal detector or body scanner, but your shoes stay on and are not X-rayed separately.

If you wear diabetic shoes, orthopedic braces, or other medical footwear, inform the TSA officer before screening begins. Explain your condition briefly — you do not need medical documentation. The officer can then decide whether to allow you to keep your shoes on while they conduct additional screening, or to observe you removing them yourself. This prevents you from being delayed or having your shoes handled roughly.

What happens if you refuse to remove your shoes

If you decline to remove your shoes and do not fall into an exemption category, you cannot proceed through security. TSA officers cannot force you to remove shoes, but they also cannot let you through the checkpoint without screening your footwear. You will be asked to leave the security area.

Refusing to comply with standard screening procedures can result in being denied entry to the airport terminal and potentially missing your flight. If you believe you have a legitimate reason for an exemption, explain it to the officer or ask to speak with a supervisor before the situation escalates.

Tips for faster shoe screening

Wear slip-on shoes or shoes with minimal laces to the airport. Lace-up boots and shoes with buckles take longer to remove and put back on, which slows down the entire line. Avoid shoes with metal decorations, thick soles, or unusual construction, as these may trigger additional screening.

Have your shoes ready to place in a bin as soon as you reach the conveyor belt. Keep your socks clean and in good condition — you will be walking on the floor in bare feet or socks. Some travelers bring slip-on socks or shoe covers to wear through the metal detector if they are uncomfortable going barefoot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to remove my shoes if I am wearing socks with holes?

No, TSA does not have a rule about sock condition. You can walk through security in socks with holes or wear no socks at all. However, the floor at security checkpoints is not always clean, so many travelers prefer to wear socks or bring disposable shoe covers.

Can I keep my shoes on if I have a foot injury?

Tell the officer about your injury before screening begins. If removing shoes would cause you pain or risk further injury, the officer may allow you to keep them on while they conduct additional screening. Bring any medical documentation if you have it, though it is not required.

What if my shoes set off the metal detector?

Metal in shoe soles, buckles, or decorations can trigger the detector. If this happens, the officer will ask you to remove your shoes and send them through the X-ray machine separately. You will then walk through the detector again without them. This is a normal part of screening and does not delay you significantly.

Do I need to remove my shoes at international airports in the United States?

Yes, TSA screening applies to all flights departing from U.S. airports, including international flights. Domestic and international security checkpoints follow the same shoe removal rules unless you have PreCheck or another exemption.

Can I wear shoes through the body scanner instead of the metal detector?

No, you must remove your shoes regardless of which type of scanner the checkpoint uses. The body scanner does not X-ray your shoes, so they still need to go through the separate X-ray machine to be screened.