What Touchless TSA PreCheck Is and How It Works

Touchless TSA PreCheck is a screening option within the standard TSA PreCheck program that lets you move through airport security without removing your shoes, belt, light jacket, or laptop. Instead of a human officer patting you down or a walk-through metal detector, you stand still in a designated booth while advanced imaging technology scans you. Your hands stay visible but you do not touch anything.

You do not sign up for "touchless" separately. Touchless screening is available to all TSA PreCheck members at airports that have installed the equipment. When you arrive at security, you can choose the touchless lane if one is open. Not every airport has it yet, and availability changes as the TSA adds more machines.

The benefit is speed and convenience — you keep your belongings on and your hands free. The trade-off is that touchless lanes sometimes have longer waits because fewer of them exist compared to standard PreCheck lanes. If the touchless line is backed up, you can always use a regular PreCheck lane instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Touchless TSA PreCheck is a screening method available to people who already have TSA PreCheck membership; you do not pay extra or sign up separately.
  • You must first get standard TSA PreCheck, which costs $78 to $85 for five years and requires an in-person appointment at an enrollment center.
  • Touchless screening is only available at airports that have installed the imaging booths, so check your airport's website before your trip.
  • You choose the touchless lane at security if one is available; if not, you use a regular PreCheck lane with your existing membership.

Getting TSA PreCheck First

Before you can use touchless screening, you need a valid TSA PreCheck membership. The program costs $78 to $85 depending on your location and runs for five years. You pay once and use it for every flight during that period.

To enroll, you visit a TSA PreCheck enrollment center in person. The TSA maintains a list of centers on its official website, organized by state. Most are located inside airports, but some are at standalone offices or partnered locations like UPS stores. You bring your passport or driver's license, proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency, and a Social Security card or tax return. The appointment takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

After your appointment, the TSA processes your background check, which usually takes three to five business days. You receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) by email. Add this number to your airline profile before you book your next flight, or enter it when you check in. Without the KTN in your reservation, the airline will not know you have PreCheck and you will not get the benefit at security.

Finding Airports With Touchless Screening

Touchless screening is not available everywhere. The TSA has installed the imaging booths at major hubs first, but coverage is still limited. Before your trip, check whether your departure airport has touchless lanes.

Visit the TSA's official website and search for your airport by name or code. The airport page lists which screening technologies are available, including touchless imaging. You can also call the airport's TSA office directly — the number is usually on the airport's website under "Security" or "TSA".

If your airport does not have touchless screening yet, you still use your TSA PreCheck membership in a standard PreCheck lane. You keep your shoes and belt on and your laptop stays in your bag, just without the touchless imaging component.

Using Touchless Screening at Security

When you arrive at the security checkpoint, look for signs marking the touchless lane. It is usually labeled "Touchless Imaging" or "Advanced Imaging Technology." If you see one and the line is reasonable, you can join it.

At the booth, you stand still with your arms at your sides or raised slightly, depending on the machine's instructions. The scanner takes an image in seconds. You do not remove anything — shoes, belt, jacket, or electronics stay on. After the scan, you walk through and collect your belongings from the conveyor belt as usual.

If the touchless line is long and a regular PreCheck lane is short, switch. Both lanes give you the same PreCheck benefits. The touchless option is a convenience, not a requirement.

What You Still Need to Do at Touchless Security

Even though the screening itself is touchless, you still follow standard PreCheck rules for your carry-on bags. Remove your laptop, tablet, and large electronics and place them in a bin. Liquids, gels, and aerosols in containers larger than 3.4 ounces go in a separate bin. Medications and medical devices can stay in your bag.

Your ID and boarding pass go in your pocket or hand — you will show them to the officer before you enter the imaging booth. After the scan, you collect your bins and reassemble your belongings in the usual area past the checkpoint.

Renewing Your TSA PreCheck Before It Expires

Your TSA PreCheck membership lasts five years from the date you enroll. About 90 days before it expires, you can renew online without visiting an enrollment center. The renewal costs the same as the initial enrollment and takes about five minutes.

Go to the TSA PreCheck website, log in with your Known Traveler Number, and follow the renewal steps. You answer updated background questions and pay the fee. The TSA processes the renewal in about two weeks, and your new KTN is sent by email. Add the new number to your airline profile to keep your PreCheck active.

If you wait until your membership expires, you lose PreCheck benefits when ready and must enroll in person again. Renewing early keeps your touchless access uninterrupted.

Alternatives If Touchless Is Not Available

If your airport does not have touchless imaging, you still move faster through security with TSA PreCheck than without it. You keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on, and your laptop stays in your bag. The only difference is that a human officer may conduct a brief pat-down instead of using a scanner.

If you travel frequently and want to avoid any physical contact during screening, CLEAR is a separate paid service that lets you skip the ID line entirely. You use biometric scanning to verify your identity, then go straight to the PreCheck screening lane. CLEAR costs about $189 per year and works at major airports. You can use CLEAR and TSA PreCheck together for the fastest experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use touchless screening if my airport has it?

No. You can choose any available lane — touchless, regular PreCheck, or standard security — based on the wait time and your preference. Touchless is optional.

Can I use touchless screening if I have a medical device or pacemaker?

Touchless imaging does not use metal detectors or radiation, so it is generally safe for people with pacemakers and most medical devices. If you have concerns, tell the TSA officer before you enter the booth and ask about alternative screening.

What happens if the touchless machine breaks down while I am in line?

The TSA officer will direct you to the nearest available lane — either another touchless booth or a regular PreCheck lane. You will not lose your PreCheck benefit.

Does touchless screening cost extra?

No. Touchless screening is included in your standard TSA PreCheck membership. You do not pay anything beyond the initial $78 to $85 enrollment fee.

Can I renew my TSA PreCheck online if I want to keep using touchless screening?

Yes. Online renewal keeps your PreCheck active and your touchless access intact. You do not need to visit an enrollment center to renew.