TSA PreCheck is valid for five years from the date you were approved

Your TSA PreCheck membership lasts exactly five years from the approval date printed on your Known Traveler Number (KTN) card. That date is what matters—not when you applied, not when you picked up your card, but the official approval date the TSA assigned to your account.

You will see this approval date on the physical card itself and in your TSA PreCheck account online. If you lose track of when yours expires, log into the TSA PreCheck website with your KTN and check the expiration date listed there. You can also call the TSA PreCheck customer service line at 855-347-8371 to confirm.

Key Takeaways

  • TSA PreCheck membership runs for five years from your approval date, which appears on your card and in your online account.
  • You should start the renewal process about three months before expiration to avoid losing your benefits while waiting for approval.
  • Renewal costs $78 to $85 depending on your location and method, and the process takes four to six weeks on average.
  • Your TSA PreCheck benefits stop when ready when your membership expires, so you will go through standard security screening on your next flight.
  • You can renew online, by mail, or in person at a TSA PreCheck enrollment center, and renewal extends your membership another five years from the new approval date.

What happens when your TSA PreCheck expires

Once your five-year membership ends, you lose all TSA PreCheck benefits right away. On your next flight, you will go through standard security screening instead of the expedited PreCheck lane. You will not be able to use your KTN at the airport, and the TSA will not recognize your membership status in their system.

The TSA does not send you a warning notice before expiration, so it is your responsibility to track the date. Many travelers miss their expiration and show up at the airport expecting PreCheck screening, only to find out they have to wait in the regular line. Setting a phone reminder three months before expiration helps prevent this.

When to start your renewal process

Begin renewal about three months before your card expires. This timing gives you a safety margin because the renewal process typically takes four to six weeks from submission to approval. If you wait until the last month and something goes wrong—a missing document, a processing delay, a background check that needs follow-up—you could lose your PreCheck benefits before the new card arrives.

The TSA PreCheck system allows you to submit a renewal process while your current membership is still active. You do not have to wait until the expiration date passes. In fact, starting early is the best way to may support your new card arrives before the old one expires.

Renewal options: online, by mail, or in person

You have three ways to renew. Online renewal is the fastest route: you fill out the process on the TSA PreCheck website, pay the renewal fee ($78 to $85 depending on your state), and upload any required documents. Approval usually takes four to six weeks, and the TSA mails your new card to your address on file.

By-mail renewal works if you prefer paper. You request a renewal process from the TSA PreCheck website, print it, fill it out by hand, and mail it with payment and documents to the address provided. This method takes longer—typically six to eight weeks—because of postal delays on both ends.

In-person renewal at a TSA PreCheck enrollment center is an option in some locations. You make an appointment, bring your documents and payment, and complete the process face-to-face. The appointment itself takes about 10 to 15 minutes, but you still wait four to six weeks for the TSA to process and mail your new card. In-person renewal does not speed up approval; it only lets you submit documents in person instead of by mail or upload.

Documents and fees you need for renewal

Renewal requires less documentation than your original process. You will need a valid passport or passport card, a state-issued ID or driver's license, and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If your name has changed since your original process, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the legal change.

The renewal fee is $78 in most states, though a few states charge up to $85. Some credit cards and travel programs offer TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement, so check your benefits before paying out of pocket. The TSA accepts credit cards, debit cards, and money orders. Once you pay, the fee is non-refundable even if you change your mind about renewing.

What to do if your card expires before the new one arrives

If your old card expires and your new one has not arrived yet, you can still use TSA PreCheck at the airport. Bring a printed copy of your TSA PreCheck approval notice or a screenshot of your account showing your KTN and approval status. The TSA PreCheck agent at security can look up your account in their system and let you through the PreCheck lane even without the physical card.

This is why tracking your expiration date and renewing early matters: you should never be in a position where you have no proof of membership. If you do not have a printed approval notice and your account is expired, you will go through standard screening. Keep a copy of your approval letter in your travel documents or take a screenshot of your account on your phone before your card expires.

How renewal extends your membership timeline

When you renew, your new five-year membership period starts from the approval date of your renewal process, not from the expiration date of your old card. This means if you renew three months early, your new card will be approved and your new five-year clock will start before your old card expires. You will have a brief overlap where both memberships are technically active, but you only use the new KTN at the airport.

If you wait until after your old card expires to renew, your new five-year period still starts from the approval date of the renewal process. There is no penalty for renewing late, but you will lose PreCheck benefits during the gap between expiration and approval of the renewal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew TSA PreCheck before my card expires?

Yes. You can submit a renewal process up to six months before your card expires. The TSA recommends starting about three months before expiration to give yourself a safety margin in case of processing delays. Your new membership begins on the approval date, so you may have a brief overlap with your old card.

What if I lose my TSA PreCheck card?

Contact the TSA PreCheck customer service line at 855-347-8371 to report the loss. You can request a replacement card, which costs $20 and takes four to six weeks to arrive. In the meantime, bring a printed copy of your approval notice or a screenshot of your account to use TSA PreCheck at the airport.

Does TSA PreCheck renewal cost the same as the original process?

Renewal costs $78 to $85 depending on your state, which is less than the original process fee of $85 to $100. You do not need an in-person appointment for renewal unless you choose to renew at an enrollment center, so you save the appointment fee.

What happens if I renew but my background check is denied?

If the TSA denies your renewal, you will receive a letter explaining the reason. You can request a hearing to appeal the decision. Your old TSA PreCheck membership remains active until it expires, so you keep your benefits during the appeal process. Contact the TSA PreCheck office listed in the denial letter for next steps.

Can I use an expired TSA PreCheck card at the airport?

No. Once your card expires, you cannot use it at security. You must go through standard screening unless you have a printed approval notice or screenshot of your active account showing your KTN. This is why renewing early prevents problems—you should never arrive at the airport without proof of active membership.