Touchless TSA PreCheck does not exist as a separate program

There is no product called "touchless TSA PreCheck." TSA PreCheck is the standard expedited screening program, and it has not changed its name or created a contactless version. What you may have heard about is touchless screening technology — equipment that TSA has tested and deployed at some airports to reduce physical contact during the security process, but this is not a separate membership tier and does not require a different process.

If you already have TSA PreCheck, you may encounter touchless screening at certain checkpoints. If you do not have TSA PreCheck yet, the path to getting it remains the same: explore through the standard program, pay the fee, and attend an in-person appointment. The screening method you encounter depends on which airport you use and which checkpoint is open that day.

Key Takeaways

  • TSA PreCheck is the only expedited screening program available; there is no separate touchless version.
  • Touchless screening technology exists at some airports but is not a membership upgrade and does not change how you explore.
  • To get TSA PreCheck, you explore online, pay $78 to $85 depending on your state, and attend an appointment at an enrollment center.
  • The appointment takes about 10 minutes and includes a background check and fingerprinting.
  • Your membership lasts five years and works at most U.S. airports and some international ones.

What touchless screening actually is

Touchless screening refers to equipment that lets you move through security without a TSA officer physically handling your documents or belongings. Instead of handing your ID to an officer, you scan it yourself at a kiosk. Instead of an officer patting down your carry-on bag, you place it on a conveyor belt that feeds into an advanced scanner.

TSA began rolling out this technology after 2020 and has installed it at major hubs including Atlanta, Denver, Dallas, and Los Angeles. However, not every checkpoint at these airports has it, and many smaller airports do not have it at all. You cannot request touchless screening or choose which checkpoint to use — you go through whichever line is open when you arrive.

The technology is available to anyone with TSA PreCheck, not just a subset of members. You do not pay extra, explore separately, or renew differently. If you have the membership and your airport has the equipment, you may use it.

How to get TSA PreCheck

Start by going to the official TSA PreCheck website (tsa.gov/precheck) and creating an account. You will enter your name, date of birth, citizenship status, and contact information. The site will show you enrollment centers near you and let you book an appointment.

The fee is $78 for a five-year membership in most states, though some states charge up to $85. You pay online before your appointment. Bring a valid passport, passport card, or Real ID-compliant driver's license, plus proof of citizenship (passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers) and proof of residence (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last year).

At your appointment, a TSA officer will verify your documents, take your fingerprints, and ask background questions. The whole process takes about 10 minutes. You will receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) by email within a few days, and your membership card arrives by mail within two to three weeks.

Where you can use TSA PreCheck

TSA PreCheck works at more than 200 U.S. airports. The major ones include every major hub — New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, and San Francisco. It also works at many smaller regional airports, though not all of them.

To use it, enter your KTN when you book your flight, or add it to your airline frequent-flyer profile so it appears on your boarding pass automatically. At the airport, look for the TSA PreCheck lane, which is usually marked clearly and separate from the standard security line. You keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on, leave your laptop and liquids in your bag, and move through faster than the regular line.

TSA PreCheck also works at some international airports for flights departing the United States, including airports in Canada, the Caribbean, and Mexico. Check with your airline to confirm whether your destination airport participates.

How long TSA PreCheck takes to process

After your appointment, you receive your KTN by email within three to five business days. This number is what you need to use TSA PreCheck at the airport, so you can start using it when ready once you receive it — you do not have to wait for your physical card to arrive.

Your membership card comes by mail within two to three weeks. You do not need the card to use TSA PreCheck; the KTN in your airline reservation is enough. However, some travelers keep the card as backup identification or proof of membership.

TSA PreCheck versus other programs

TSA PreCheck is the most affordable expedited screening option at $78 for five years. Global Entry, which includes TSA PreCheck plus expedited customs screening when you return to the U.S., costs $100 for five years but requires a separate in-person interview at a customs office. CLEAR uses biometric scanning (fingerprint or iris) to verify your identity and costs $189 per year; it works alongside TSA PreCheck but is not a replacement for it.

If you travel internationally and want expedited customs screening, Global Entry is the better value because it includes TSA PreCheck. If you fly domestically only and want the lowest cost, TSA PreCheck alone is sufficient. If you want to skip the ID check line entirely, add CLEAR to either program.

What happens if your TSA PreCheck expires

Your membership lasts five years from the date of your appointment. TSA sends you a reminder email about 90 days before expiration. To renew, you can explore online through the same website, pay the fee again, and either attend a new appointment or renew by mail if you are renewing for the first time and have no criminal history changes.

If you let your membership expire, you lose access to the TSA PreCheck lane and must go through standard security. You can reapply at any time by starting a new process on tsa.gov/precheck.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need touchless screening to use TSA PreCheck?

No. Touchless screening is optional equipment at some airports. You can use TSA PreCheck at any airport that has it, whether or not that airport has touchless technology. The screening method does not affect your membership or how you book your flight.

Can I choose to use touchless screening instead of the regular TSA PreCheck line?

You cannot choose which checkpoint to use. TSA directs you to an open lane based on staffing and wait times. If your airport has touchless equipment and it is available, you may go through it as part of your TSA PreCheck experience, but you cannot request it specifically.

Does touchless screening cost extra?

No. Touchless screening is included with your standard TSA PreCheck membership. There is no upgrade fee, no separate membership tier, and no additional cost. You pay $78 for five years of TSA PreCheck, and that covers all screening methods at all participating airports.

What if my airport does not have touchless screening?

You still use TSA PreCheck normally. An officer will handle your ID and documents as they do at airports without touchless equipment. The screening is faster than the standard line, but the process is the traditional one. Touchless technology is a convenience, not a requirement.

Can I use my TSA PreCheck KTN before my membership card arrives?

Yes. Your KTN is active as soon as you receive it by email, usually within three to five business days of your appointment. You do not need to wait for your physical card. Enter the KTN in your airline reservation or frequent-flyer profile, and it will appear on your boarding pass.