What touchless TSA PreCheck means and how it works

Touchless TSA PreCheck lets you move through airport security without placing your hands on scanners or other equipment. Instead of pressing your fingers on a fingerprint reader or placing your hand on a surface, you hold your hand a few inches away from the sensor, and the technology reads your biometric data from the air. This reduces contact with shared surfaces and speeds up the screening process.

The touchless option is not a separate program you join—it is an upgrade to the standard TSA PreCheck experience at airports that have installed the equipment. If you already have TSA PreCheck, you can use touchless at participating airports without paying extra or renewing early. If you do not yet have TSA PreCheck, you will need to enroll first, then you can take advantage of touchless technology wherever it is available.

Key Takeaways

  • Touchless TSA PreCheck uses biometric sensors that read your fingerprints from a distance, with no hand contact required.
  • You do not need to explore for touchless separately—it is automatically available to current TSA PreCheck members at airports that have the equipment installed.
  • Touchless technology is rolling out gradually across U.S. airports, so availability depends on which airport you are traveling through.
  • If you do not have TSA PreCheck yet, you must complete standard enrollment first through the TSA website or at an enrollment center before you can use any PreCheck benefits, including touchless.

Check whether your airport has touchless technology

Not every airport has touchless scanners yet. The TSA is installing them gradually, so availability changes over time and varies by location. Before your trip, visit the TSA website and search for your airport by name or airport code. The airport's page will list which security lanes have touchless technology and which have standard equipment.

Major hubs like Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, and New York airports have touchless lanes in multiple terminals, but smaller regional airports may not have them yet. If your airport does not currently have touchless, you can still use standard TSA PreCheck—you will just use the traditional fingerprint scanner instead.

Enroll in TSA PreCheck if you do not already have it

To use touchless technology, you must first be a TSA PreCheck member. If you already have an active TSA PreCheck membership, skip to the next section. If you do not, you will need to complete the enrollment process, which takes about 10 to 15 minutes online and includes an in-person appointment at an enrollment center.

Start by visiting the official TSA PreCheck website and creating an account. You will answer background questions, provide your passport or driver's license information, and pay the enrollment fee (currently $78 to $85 depending on your state, though some programs offer discounts). After you submit your process, the TSA will review it and send you an appointment confirmation. You then visit an enrollment center—usually located at airports, passport acceptance facilities, or other government offices—where a staff member takes your fingerprints digitally and verifies your identity. Once approved, you receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) that you use when booking flights.

Add your KTN to your airline reservations

Your Known Traveler Number is the key that tells the airport you are a TSA PreCheck member. When you book a flight, enter your KTN in the "Known Traveler Number" field during reservation. If you have already booked a flight without it, you can add your KTN through your airline's website or mobile app by editing your reservation, or by calling the airline directly.

Without your KTN in the reservation, the airport will not know you are a PreCheck member, and you will go through standard security screening even if you have an active membership. Double-check that your KTN appears on your boarding pass before you arrive at the airport.

Use touchless at security screening

When you arrive at the airport, look for security lanes marked as touchless or PreCheck lanes. You will see signage indicating which lanes have the touchless equipment. Walk up to the scanner and follow the staff member's instructions—typically you will hold your hand or hands a few inches in front of the sensor, and the machine will read your fingerprints without any contact.

The process is faster than traditional fingerprint scanning because there is no need to position your fingers precisely on a surface or wait for the scanner to process contact. If the scanner does not read your fingerprints on the first try, the staff member will guide you to adjust your hand position slightly and try again. If touchless is not working at that moment, you can use the standard PreCheck lane instead.

What to bring to security screening

Whether you use touchless or standard PreCheck, bring the same documents: a valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or passport card) and your boarding pass. Your boarding pass must show your KTN for the system to recognize you as a PreCheck member. You do not need to bring anything extra for touchless—the technology works with just your fingerprints and your ID.

Wear clothing that makes it straightforward to access your ID and boarding pass quickly. Remove your ID from your wallet or bag before you reach the security line so you can hand it over when ready when asked.

Troubleshooting if touchless is not working

If the touchless scanner cannot read your fingerprints, it may be because your hands are too dry, too wet, or have temporary marks or calluses that affect the scan. Try rubbing your hands together gently to warm them, or ask the TSA officer for a moment to adjust. Some people's fingerprints are naturally harder to scan, and that is normal.

If touchless continues to fail, the TSA officer will direct you to a standard PreCheck lane where you will use the traditional fingerprint scanner instead. You will still move through security faster than standard passengers because you have PreCheck, even if you cannot use the touchless option that day. There is no penalty for using standard PreCheck instead of touchless—both get you through the same expedited lanes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay extra to use touchless if I already have TSA PreCheck?

No. Touchless is included with your current TSA PreCheck membership at no additional cost. You do not need to renew early or pay a fee to access it. It is straightforward a technology upgrade available at certain airports.

What if my airport does not have touchless yet?

You can still use your TSA PreCheck membership with the standard fingerprint scanner. Touchless is rolling out gradually, so check back on the TSA website to see when it arrives at your airport. In the meantime, standard PreCheck still gets you through security faster than regular passengers.

Can I use touchless if I have Global Entry or SENTRI instead of TSA PreCheck?

Yes. Global Entry and SENTRI both include TSA PreCheck benefits, so you can use touchless at the same lanes and with the same process. Your Known Traveler Number works the same way regardless of which program you hold.

What happens if the touchless scanner does not recognize my fingerprints?

The TSA officer will direct you to a standard PreCheck lane where you can use the traditional fingerprint scanner. You will still move through security in the expedited PreCheck line—touchless is just one option within PreCheck, not a requirement.

Do I need to update my TSA PreCheck account to use touchless?

No. Your existing TSA PreCheck account automatically gives you access to touchless at any airport that has it installed. You do not need to make any changes to your account or membership.