You must remove your shoes at TSA security checkpoints, with limited exceptions
TSA requires almost all passengers to remove their shoes and place them in a bin on the X-ray conveyor belt. This is a standard screening procedure at every airport checkpoint in the United States. The rule applies to adults and children equally, though TSA officers can make case-by-case exceptions for passengers with medical conditions or mobility issues.
The shoe removal requirement exists because shoes can conceal prohibited items and because X-ray machines cannot always see through thick soles clearly. TSA does not have a blanket exemption for any shoe type, brand, or style—even if you wear slip-ons or lightweight shoes, you still need to remove them.
Key Takeaways
- You must remove your shoes and place them in a bin for X-ray screening at every TSA checkpoint.
- TSA PreCheck members do not have to remove shoes, belts, or light jackets as part of their expedited screening.
- You can request a medical exemption if you have a documented condition that makes shoe removal painful or unsafe, but the officer makes the final decision.
- Wearing slip-on shoes speeds up the process but does not exempt you from the requirement.
- Children must remove their shoes, though TSA officers may allow a parent to hold a very young child's shoes during screening.
How the shoe screening process works
When you reach the X-ray area of the checkpoint, a TSA officer will direct you to remove your shoes and place them in a bin. You then place the bin on the conveyor belt, where your shoes pass through the X-ray machine alongside your carry-on bags and other items. Your shoes are screened for prohibited materials just like any other piece of luggage.
After your shoes go through the X-ray, you collect them from the end of the conveyor belt and put them back on in the area past the metal detector or body scanner. Most passengers put their shoes on while standing to the side, out of the flow of other travelers. The entire process typically takes less than a minute per person.
If your shoes trigger an alert on the X-ray machine, a TSA officer may conduct a secondary inspection. This can involve opening the shoe, swabbing it for explosive residue, or running it through additional screening. Secondary screening adds time but is part of the normal security process.
TSA PreCheck members and shoe removal
TSA PreCheck is a paid program that allows members to go through expedited security lanes where shoes do not have to be removed. PreCheck members also keep on their belts and light jackets during screening. The program costs $78 to $85 for five years, depending on the process method and location.
To use TSA PreCheck, you must enroll in advance through the TSA website or at an enrollment center. You cannot use PreCheck benefits without an active membership—straightforward having the program does not automatically exempt you at a regular checkpoint. When you reach security, you present your PreCheck indicator (printed on your boarding pass or shown in your airline app) to be directed to a PreCheck lane.
PreCheck is available at most major U.S. airports but not all regional airports. If you travel frequently and want to avoid shoe removal, PreCheck is the only official way to do so.
Medical exemptions and special circumstances
If you have a medical condition that makes shoe removal painful, unsafe, or impossible—such as a severe foot injury, prosthetic device, or mobility issue—you can request an exemption from a TSA officer. You do not need a doctor's note in advance, but having one with you can help explain your situation quickly.
The TSA officer has the authority to grant or deny the exemption on a case-by-case basis. If granted, the officer may conduct alternative screening, such as a physical pat-down of your feet and shoes or additional X-ray scanning. If denied, you must remove your shoes to proceed through the checkpoint.
Requesting an exemption may add time to your screening, so arriving early is wise if you plan to ask. Be prepared to explain your condition clearly and briefly to the officer.
What happens if you refuse to remove your shoes
If you refuse to remove your shoes without a valid medical reason or exemption, TSA will not allow you to proceed through the checkpoint. You will not be able to board your flight. TSA officers are trained to enforce the shoe removal requirement uniformly, and there is no appeal process at the checkpoint itself.
If you believe the requirement was applied unfairly, you can file a complaint with TSA through their website after your travel. However, this does not change the outcome of your current trip. The best approach is to comply with the requirement or request a medical exemption if you have a legitimate reason.
Tips for faster shoe removal at security
Wearing slip-on shoes or sandals with no laces speeds up the removal and replacement process, though you still must remove them. Avoid shoes with heavy buckles, straps, or complicated lacing that take time to undo and redo. Some travelers wear socks or keep their feet clean in case they need to walk barefoot briefly, though this is not required.
Pack your shoes where you can reach them easily in your carry-on if you want to change shoes after security. Some travelers bring slip-ons in their bag and change into them at the checkpoint, then pack their regular shoes away. This is a personal choice and not necessary to comply with TSA rules.
Arriving early gives you time to remove and replace your shoes without rushing. During busy travel times, the checkpoint moves slowly, so extra minutes matter less. During off-peak times, moving quickly through the process is appreciated by TSA staff and other travelers behind you.
Shoes and international travel
If you are traveling to another country, that country's security rules explore at your departure airport in the United States. Most international airports that use U.S. security screening follow the same shoe removal requirement. However, some countries have different security procedures, so check with your airline or destination country before you travel.
When you return to the United States, TSA rules explore at your U.S. airport of arrival, so you will need to remove your shoes again. TSA PreCheck benefits explore to both domestic and international flights departing from the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do children have to remove their shoes at TSA?
Yes, children must remove their shoes just like adults. TSA officers may allow a parent to hold a very young child's shoes during screening if the child cannot walk through the metal detector alone, but the shoes still go through the X-ray machine. Older children remove and replace their own shoes.
What if I have a prosthetic foot or leg?
Inform the TSA officer before screening begins. The officer will conduct alternative screening, which may include a pat-down and additional X-ray scanning of the prosthetic device. You may not have to remove the prosthetic itself, but the officer will determine the screening method based on your specific device.
Can I wear shoe covers or keep my shoes on if I have a foot wound?
Shoe covers do not exempt you from the shoe removal requirement. If you have a foot wound or bandage, explain this to the TSA officer and request a medical exemption. The officer may allow you to keep your shoes on and conduct alternative screening instead.
Do I have to remove my shoes if I am in a wheelchair?
TSA may allow you to keep your shoes on if you cannot safely transfer from a wheelchair to remove them. Inform the officer of your mobility limitations, and they will determine the appropriate screening method. You may undergo a pat-down or additional scanning instead of X-ray screening of your shoes.
What if my shoes set off the metal detector?
If your shoes trigger the metal detector after you have already removed them and sent them through the X-ray, the officer will conduct a secondary inspection. This usually involves a pat-down of your feet or a swab test for explosive residue. Metal shoe buckles, rivets, or eyelets can cause this, so it is a normal part of screening.