You can keep your shoes on at most TSA checkpoints if you're in a trusted traveler program or meet certain conditions

The short answer: it depends on your age, your program status, and which checkpoint you're at. TSA does not require all passengers to remove their shoes. Travelers enrolled in TSA PreCheck can keep shoes on during screening. Passengers 12 and under, and adults 75 and older, can also keep shoes on at most checkpoints. Everyone else should be prepared to remove them, though some checkpoints may let you keep them on if the X-ray machine can see them clearly.

The shoe rule exists because shoes can hide explosives or other prohibited items. TSA officers decide whether to ask you to remove them based on what they see on the scanner or if they need a closer look. If you're not in a trusted traveler program and you're between 13 and 74, removing your shoes is the safest bet to move through screening without delays.

Key Takeaways

  • TSA PreCheck members do not have to remove their shoes, belts, or light jackets during standard screening.
  • Children 12 and under and adults 75 and older can keep their shoes on at most U.S. airports.
  • All other passengers should expect to remove their shoes unless the officer tells you otherwise.
  • The rule applies at every TSA checkpoint in the United States, though individual officers have some discretion.
  • Removing shoes takes only seconds and prevents delays if the scanner needs a clearer view.

Who Can Keep Their Shoes On

TSA PreCheck members go through expedited screening lanes where shoes stay on. You keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on, and you can leave laptops and liquids in your bag. PreCheck costs $78 to $85 for five years and requires an in-person appointment at an enrollment center. If you travel more than twice a year, the time saved often pays for itself.

Children 12 and under can keep shoes on at standard checkpoints. TSA recognizes that young children's shoes are unlikely to hide threats and that removing them slows down families. The same applies to adults 75 and older—TSA considers them lower risk and allows them to keep shoes on during routine screening.

Military personnel in uniform, some federal employees, and certain other groups may also be exempt, though this varies by airport and checkpoint. If you fall into one of these categories, TSA officers at your airport can tell you whether you may have access to.

What Happens If You're Not Exempt

If you're between 13 and 74 and not in PreCheck, plan to remove your shoes at the checkpoint. Place them in a bin on the conveyor belt along with your belt, watch, and any metal items from your pockets. The officer may ask you to remove them, or they may wave you through without asking—it depends on what the scanner shows and how busy the checkpoint is.

Some airports have newer scanning technology that can see through shoes more clearly, which means officers may let you keep them on even if you're not in a trusted program. However, you should not assume this. If an officer asks you to remove your shoes and you refuse, you will not be allowed to board your flight.

The process takes seconds. Have your shoes ready to go into the bin before you reach the conveyor belt, and you'll move through screening faster than if you wait until the last moment.

TSA PreCheck vs. Standard Screening

The main difference between PreCheck and standard screening is what you can keep on and what stays in your bag. PreCheck passengers keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on. They also leave laptops and 3.4-ounce liquids in their carry-on bags instead of removing them. Standard screening requires you to remove shoes, belts, and jackets, and to take out electronics and liquids for inspection.

PreCheck lines are usually shorter and move faster because fewer items need to be removed and scanned separately. If you fly regularly, the time savings add up. The enrollment process takes about 10 minutes at an appointment, and you receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) that you enter when you book flights.

Other trusted traveler programs like Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI also include TSA PreCheck benefits, so if you have one of those, you can keep your shoes on too.

What You Should Know About Shoe Removal

Removing your shoes is not optional for standard passengers if an officer asks. TSA officers have the authority to require shoe removal as part of security screening, and refusing can result in being denied boarding. The rule applies equally at every TSA checkpoint in the United States, from small regional airports to major hubs.

Wear shoes that are straightforward to slip on and off. Lace-up boots or shoes with multiple buckles slow you down at security. Slip-on shoes, sandals, or shoes with Velcro closures get you through the checkpoint faster. Socks are fine—you do not need to remove them, only your shoes.

If you have a medical condition that makes removing your shoes difficult or painful, tell the officer before you reach the scanner. TSA can accommodate certain medical situations, though you may need to show documentation or undergo additional screening.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not assume you can keep your shoes on just because you saw someone else do it. That person may have been in PreCheck, over 75, or under 13. Officers have discretion in how strictly they enforce the rule, but you should not count on that discretion working in your favor.

Do not wait until you are at the conveyor belt to remove your shoes. Have them ready to place in a bin as soon as you approach the checkpoint. This keeps the line moving and prevents backup.

Do not wear shoes that are difficult to remove. Tight laces, multiple buckles, or thick socks that bunch up when you pull your shoes off will slow you down. Choose footwear that takes seconds to slip on and off.

Do not argue with an officer if they ask you to remove your shoes. They are following TSA protocol, and refusing will only delay your flight or prevent you from boarding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my socks on when I remove my shoes?

Yes. You only need to remove your shoes. Your socks stay on, and you walk through the metal detector in your socks. Make sure your socks are clean and without holes, since you will be walking on the floor of the checkpoint.

What if I have a prosthetic foot or leg?

Tell the TSA officer before screening begins. They can work with you to inspect the prosthetic without requiring removal, or they may ask you to remove it depending on the type. Officers are trained to handle these situations, and you will not be delayed or treated differently.

Do I have to remove my shoes if I'm connecting flights?

Yes, you go through TSA screening at every airport where you change planes, unless you are in a trusted traveler program. Even if your first flight did not require shoe removal, your second checkpoint may. Plan time for security at each airport.

Can I wear shoes through security if I have a note from my doctor?

A doctor's note may help explain a medical condition, but it does not automatically exempt you from the shoe rule. Tell the officer about your condition and show your note. They can decide whether to accommodate you or use alternative screening methods.

Are there any airports where you don't have to remove shoes?

No. The shoe rule applies at all TSA checkpoints nationwide. Some airports may have newer technology that makes it easier for officers to see through shoes, but the rule itself is the same everywhere.