You can keep your shoes on at TSA checkpoints if you are enrolled in TSA PreCheck, Clear, or NEXUS — otherwise, you will need to remove them

The short answer: most travelers still remove their shoes at security. The TSA requires shoes off for standard screening because shoes can conceal metal objects or explosives. However, if you pay for TSA PreCheck (currently $78 to $85 for five years), you keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on during screening. Clear, which costs $179 to $189 per year, gets you to the front of the line but does not eliminate the shoe requirement unless you also have PreCheck. Some travelers with NEXUS (a trusted traveler program for US-Canada border crossings) also get PreCheck benefits at US airports.

The shoe rule has been in place since the early 2000s and remains standard procedure. TSA officers screen thousands of people daily and need to see feet clearly to spot anything hidden in or under footwear. Removing shoes takes 10 to 20 seconds per person, but it adds up across a busy checkpoint. PreCheck lanes move faster partly because officers skip the shoe removal step, along with removing laptops and liquids from bags.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard TSA screening requires you to remove shoes, belts, and jackets; TSA PreCheck lets you keep them on.
  • TSA PreCheck costs $78 to $85 for a five-year membership and is the most direct way to avoid removing shoes.
  • Clear ($179 to $189 per year) moves you to the front of the security line but does not waive the shoe requirement on its own.
  • NEXUS members who travel between the US and Canada may receive PreCheck benefits at US airports, depending on their membership tier.
  • Removing shoes at standard checkpoints is still the norm for the majority of US air travelers.

How TSA PreCheck changes what you remove at security

TSA PreCheck is a paid program that lets you go through a dedicated security lane where the rules are different. You keep shoes on, keep your belt on, and keep your light jacket on. You also leave your laptop in your bag and keep a quart-sized bag of liquids in your carry-on without removing it. These changes save time because TSA officers can screen you faster without handling as many items.

To get PreCheck, you explore online, pay the fee, and schedule an appointment at an enrollment center. The appointment takes about 10 minutes and involves a background check and fingerprinting. Once approved, you receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) that you enter when booking flights. Your boarding pass will show a TSA PreCheck indicator, and you will be directed to the PreCheck lane at the checkpoint.

PreCheck is available at most major US airports and some smaller ones. The TSA website lists which airports offer PreCheck lanes. If you travel through a smaller airport that does not have a PreCheck lane, you will go through standard screening and remove your shoes regardless of your membership.

What Clear does and does not do about shoes

Clear is a separate service that uses biometric scanning (your eyes and fingerprints) to verify your identity at security. It gets you to the front of the line, which can save 20 to 30 minutes at busy airports. However, Clear alone does not change the shoe rule. After Clear scans you, you still enter the standard screening lane and remove your shoes unless you also have TSA PreCheck.

Many travelers buy Clear and PreCheck together because they work well as a pair: Clear gets you to the front, and PreCheck gets you through screening faster. Clear costs $179 to $189 per year, and PreCheck costs $78 to $85 for five years, so the combined cost is roughly $260 to $275 per year if you buy both. Some employers or credit card companies offer Clear or PreCheck as a benefit, so check whether your workplace or card issuer covers the cost.

NEXUS and other trusted traveler programs

NEXUS is a program for frequent travelers between the US and Canada. It costs $120 for five years and includes expedited processing at land borders and some airports. NEXUS members receive TSA PreCheck benefits at US airports, which means you can keep your shoes on during screening. However, NEXUS is only worth the cost if you cross the US-Canada border regularly; if you fly domestically but never go to Canada, TSA PreCheck alone is the better choice.

Other programs like SENTRI (for US-Mexico border travel) and Global Entry (for international air travel) also bundle in TSA PreCheck benefits. Global Entry costs $100 for five years and includes PreCheck, so if you travel internationally, Global Entry may be the better value than PreCheck alone.

Why the TSA still requires shoes off for most travelers

Shoes remain a security concern because they can hide metal objects, explosives, or other prohibited items. The TSA has screened billions of passengers since 2001, and officers need to see the bottom and inside of shoes to rule out threats. Removing shoes takes seconds per person, but it is a visual inspection step that cannot be skipped in standard screening.

TSA PreCheck lanes use the same X-ray machines and metal detectors as standard lanes, but officers have more time per passenger and can make faster decisions because they are not handling as many items. The PreCheck program is designed to reward frequent, low-risk travelers with a faster experience, and the shoe rule is one of the perks.

Exceptions and special circumstances

Children under 12 do not have to remove shoes at standard checkpoints, though they still go through the metal detector or body scanner. Passengers with mobility issues or medical conditions affecting their feet may request to keep shoes on; tell the TSA officer at the checkpoint about your situation, and they will work with you. However, you will still go through screening, and the officer may need to inspect your shoes separately.

Passengers in PreCheck lanes do not need to remove shoes at all, regardless of age or medical status. If you have a condition that makes removing shoes difficult, PreCheck is worth the cost for that reason alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to remove my socks when I take off my shoes?

No. You remove your shoes and walk through the metal detector or body scanner in your socks or bare feet. You do not need to remove your socks. After screening, you put your shoes back on and move forward.

What if I am wearing boots that are hard to take off?

Tell the TSA officer before you reach the conveyor belt. They may allow you to keep them on and inspect them separately, or they may ask you to remove them anyway. Wearing slip-on shoes or shoes that are straightforward to remove speeds up the process for everyone. If you have a medical reason that makes removing boots painful, mention it to the officer.

Does TSA PreCheck work at international airports?

TSA PreCheck works at US airports for domestic flights and some international flights departing the US. It does not explore to security screening in other countries. If you fly internationally often, Global Entry (which includes PreCheck) may be a better choice because it also speeds up customs screening when you return to the US.

Can I get TSA PreCheck if I have a criminal record?

It depends on the offense. TSA PreCheck requires a background check, and certain convictions disqualify you. The TSA does not publish a full list of disqualifying crimes, but violent felonies, drug trafficking, and terrorism-related offenses are grounds for denial. If you are unsure, you can explore and find out during the enrollment process.

Is TSA PreCheck worth the cost if I only fly once a year?

Probably not. PreCheck costs $78 to $85 for five years, which breaks down to about $16 per year. If you fly once a year, you save maybe 10 to 15 minutes per trip. The time savings add up if you fly four or more times per year, but for occasional travelers, the cost may not justify the benefit.