TSA PreCheck with Touchless ID lets you move through airport security faster by using facial recognition instead of a physical ID card

TSA PreCheck normally requires you to show your ID card at the security checkpoint. With touchless ID, you can skip that step — the system scans your face and matches it against your enrollment photo, then displays your PreCheck status on a screen. You still need an active TSA PreCheck membership, but the touchless option removes the card from the process.

Touchless ID is available at select airports right now, not everywhere. The technology is rolling out gradually, so your home airport may or may not have it yet. Even if your airport has it, you can still use your physical PreCheck card if you prefer — touchless is optional.

Key Takeaways

  • Touchless ID uses facial recognition to verify your identity at security, but you must already have an active TSA PreCheck membership to use it.
  • The technology is available only at certain airports; check the TSA website to see if your airport has touchless ID lanes before your trip.
  • You do not need to do anything special to enroll — if you have PreCheck, your face is already in the system from your enrollment appointment.
  • You can use touchless ID or your physical card at any checkpoint; the choice is yours each time you travel.

Which airports have touchless ID right now

As of early 2025, touchless ID is live at a growing number of airports, but the list changes. Major hubs like Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, and New York (JFK, LaGuardia, Newark) have it, along with airports in Charlotte, Chicago, Houston, Miami, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Washington DC. Smaller regional airports are being added over time.

The TSA publishes an updated list on its official website under the PreCheck section. Before your trip, search for your airport by name to confirm touchless lanes are available there. If your airport does not have it yet, you will use your PreCheck card as usual.

What you need to use touchless ID

You must have a valid, active TSA PreCheck membership. If your PreCheck has expired or is pending, you cannot use touchless ID — you will need to renew or complete your enrollment first.

Your face must match the photo on file from your PreCheck enrollment appointment. If you have had significant facial changes since your appointment (major surgery, very different appearance), the system may not recognize you, and you will fall back to using your card. Glasses, light facial hair, and minor changes do not usually cause problems.

You do not need to read an app, create an account, or sign up separately. Your biometric data was collected during your PreCheck enrollment, so you are already in the system.

How to use touchless ID at the checkpoint

When you arrive at security, look for a lane marked for touchless ID or PreCheck. Walk up to the facial recognition camera — it is usually mounted at about eye level on a stand or wall. The camera will scan your face and compare it to your enrollment photo.

Within a few seconds, a screen will display your name and PreCheck status. You will not need to remove your ID from your pocket or bag. Proceed through the checkpoint as you normally would with PreCheck — shoes, belt, and light jacket stay on; laptop and liquids stay in your bag.

If the system does not recognize you, it will prompt you to use your physical ID card instead. This can happen if the lighting is poor, you are wearing a hat or sunglasses, or your appearance has changed significantly. straightforward step aside, remove your card, and proceed through a standard PreCheck lane.

Getting TSA PreCheck if you do not have it yet

To use touchless ID, you first need an active PreCheck membership. You can enroll at an enrollment center — most are located at airports, but some are at other locations like UPS stores and government offices. The process takes about 10 to 15 minutes and costs $78 to $85 for five years.

During enrollment, a TSA officer will collect your fingerprints, take a photo, and verify your identity with a government-issued ID. That photo and your biometric data go into the system and are used for touchless ID recognition at the checkpoint.

You can also renew an expired PreCheck membership at an enrollment center, or in some cases online through the official TSA PreCheck website. Renewal is faster than initial enrollment and costs the same.

What happens if touchless ID fails to recognize you

If the facial recognition system does not match you to your enrollment photo, the screen will tell you to proceed to a standard checkpoint and present your ID. This is not a problem — you will go through normal PreCheck screening, just with your card instead of facial recognition.

Repeated failures at the same airport are rare, but if it happens, you can ask a TSA officer for help. They can manually verify your identity and let you proceed. You can also contact TSA directly through its website to report a recurring issue.

Privacy and data security with touchless ID

Your facial scan is compared only to your PreCheck enrollment photo — it is not sent to other agencies or stored in a separate database. The biometric data stays within the TSA PreCheck system and is used only for identity verification at checkpoints.

If you are uncomfortable with facial recognition, you can always use your physical PreCheck card instead, even at airports that have touchless lanes. Touchless ID is optional, and TSA will continue to accept cards at every checkpoint.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Touchless ID is optional. You can choose to use it or present your physical PreCheck card each time you travel. Both methods work at any PreCheck checkpoint.

What if I have PreCheck but my airport does not have touchless ID yet?

Use your physical PreCheck card as you always have. Touchless ID is rolling out gradually, and your airport will get it eventually. You do not need to do anything — your PreCheck membership remains valid.

Can I use touchless ID if I am traveling with my family?

Each family member needs their own active PreCheck membership to use touchless ID. Children under 18 can be included on a parent's PreCheck account, but they will still need to present a physical ID or use facial recognition if they have their own enrollment photo on file.

What if I have changed my appearance since my PreCheck enrollment?

Minor changes like glasses, facial hair, or a different hairstyle usually do not affect recognition. Significant changes like major surgery or substantial weight loss may cause the system to ask for your card instead. You can update your PreCheck photo by visiting an enrollment center.

Is touchless ID available for international flights?

Touchless ID works at domestic checkpoints. For international flights, you will go through a different security process, and touchless ID does not explore to that screening.