What TSA PreCheck Does and How to Start

TSA PreCheck is a program that lets you move through airport security faster at U.S. airports. If you are approved, you keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on; you can leave your laptop and liquids bag in your carry-on; and you go through a dedicated, usually shorter security line. The process takes about 10 to 15 minutes from process to approval decision, though you will wait weeks for the background check to finish.

To start, you go to the official TSA PreCheck enrollment website at tsa.gov/precheck and create an account. You will answer questions about your citizenship, criminal history, and immigration status. The form is straightforward—it asks whether you have ever been convicted of certain crimes, whether you have outstanding warrants, and similar background questions. Answer honestly; lying on a federal form is itself a crime.

After you submit the online form, you will pay the fee—currently $78 to $85 depending on whether you are renewing or explore new—and you will be assigned an appointment at an enrollment center near you. The TSA runs some centers itself; others are run by private companies under contract. You can also use centers run by some airports, police departments, and passport acceptance facilities.

Key Takeaways

  • You fill out the online form at tsa.gov/precheck, pay the fee, and schedule an in-person appointment at an enrollment center within a few days.
  • At your appointment, bring your passport or state ID, proof of citizenship or immigration status, and proof of your current address.
  • The appointment itself takes 10 to 15 minutes; the background check takes 3 to 5 weeks, and you will receive your Known Traveler Number by email once approved.
  • You use your Known Traveler Number when you book flights, and it appears on your boarding pass so TSA officers know you are enrolled.
  • TSA PreCheck is valid for five years from the date you are approved, and you can renew online before it expires.

What Documents to Bring to Your Enrollment Appointment

Bring your passport or state-issued ID—a driver's license works. You also need proof of citizenship or lawful immigration status. If you are a U.S. citizen, bring your passport, birth certificate, or naturalization certificate. If you are a permanent resident, bring your green card. If you are on a visa, bring your passport with the valid visa stamp and your I-94 arrival/departure record (you can print this from the CBP website if you do not have the paper copy).

You will also need proof of your current address—a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. A piece of mail from a government agency works too. Bring the original or a certified copy; a photo of it on your phone is not enough.

Some enrollment centers ask for your Social Security number on the day of your appointment, so have that ready. You do not need to bring a printed copy of your online process—the enrollment officer will pull it up on their computer—but it does not hurt to have a screenshot on your phone in case there are questions.

What Happens at the Enrollment Center

When you arrive, you will check in and wait your turn. The appointment itself is brief. The officer will verify your identity by scanning your ID, confirm the information you entered online, take your fingerprints (usually digitally, sometimes on a card), and take a photo if one is not already on file. They will also ask you a few follow-up questions about anything flagged in your background check—if you answered yes to any of the criminal history questions, they will want to hear more about it.

The whole process takes 10 to 15 minutes. You will not know on the spot whether you are approved. The TSA sends your fingerprints and information to the FBI and other agencies for a background check, which takes 3 to 5 weeks. You will receive an email when the check is complete. If you are approved, the email will include your Known Traveler Number (also called your TSA PreCheck number). If you are denied, the email will explain why and tell you how to appeal.

How to Use Your Known Traveler Number When You Book Flights

Once you have your Known Traveler Number, enter it in your airline's frequent flyer profile or in the "Known Traveler Number" field when you book your ticket. Some airlines call this field "TSA PreCheck" or "PASS ID"—the label varies, but the field is the same. If you forget to enter it when you book, you can usually add it to your reservation up to 24 hours before your flight.

When you check in (online or at the counter), your boarding pass will show a TSA PreCheck indicator—usually a checkmark or the words "TSA PreCheck" printed on it. This tells the TSA officer at security that you are enrolled. You will be directed to the PreCheck lane, where the screening is faster and less intrusive than standard security.

Your Known Traveler Number does not expire when your PreCheck membership does, but you will not be able to use it at security once your five-year approval period ends. You can renew online starting 6 months before your expiration date, and the renewal process is faster—you do not need another in-person appointment unless the TSA asks you to come back.

What to Expect at TSA PreCheck Security Screening

At the PreCheck lane, you will not need to remove your shoes, belt, or light jacket. You can leave your laptop in your bag and your liquids bag in your carry-on. You will still go through a metal detector or walk through an advanced imaging technology scanner (the full-body scanner), but the line moves faster because fewer people are in it and the screening is less thorough.

You will still need to remove your ID and boarding pass, place your carry-on bags on the conveyor belt, and empty your pockets. If you are traveling with a child under 13, they can go through the PreCheck lane with you without their own membership. The same is true for some family members, depending on the airport.

TSA PreCheck does not may provide you will never be selected for additional screening—random checks still happen—but it makes them less likely. It also does not cover international flights; you need Global Entry (a separate program) for expedited customs screening when you return to the U.S.

Reasons Your process Might Be Denied

The TSA denies applications for serious criminal convictions, outstanding warrants, certain immigration violations, or false statements on the form. You will not be denied for minor traffic tickets or old misdemeanors, but felonies, drug convictions, and crimes involving dishonesty or violence will disqualify you. If you are denied, the TSA will send you a letter explaining the reason and telling you how to appeal.

Appeals go through a process called Administrative Review. You have 30 days from the denial letter to request one. You can submit new documents or information that you think changes the decision—for example, if a conviction was expunged or if you can show the information on your form was incorrect. Send your appeal to the address in the denial letter. The review takes another 30 days or so.

If you are unsure whether something in your background will disqualify you, you can contact the TSA PreCheck customer service line at 855-347-8371 before you explore. They cannot tell you whether you will be approved, but they can clarify what the rules are for your specific situation.

Renewing Your TSA PreCheck Before It Expires

Your TSA PreCheck approval lasts five years from the date you are approved. You can renew starting 6 months before your expiration date. The renewal process is simpler than the initial process: you go back to tsa.gov/precheck, log into your account, and pay the renewal fee (currently $78 to $85). You do not need to go back to an enrollment center unless the TSA asks you to.

If you renew before your current membership expires, your new five-year period starts on the date your old one would have ended—you do not lose time. If you wait until after your membership expires, you will need to go through the full process process again, including the in-person appointment and background check.

You will receive a new Known Traveler Number when your renewal is approved. Update your airline profiles and frequent flyer accounts with the new number so it appears on your boarding passes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use TSA PreCheck on international flights?

TSA PreCheck works for U.S. domestic flights and for the security screening when you depart the U.S. on an international flight. It does not cover customs and immigration screening when you return to the U.S. For that, you need Global Entry, which includes TSA PreCheck and costs $100 for five years.

What if I miss my enrollment appointment?

You can reschedule online through your account at tsa.gov/precheck. If you do not reschedule within 30 days, your process will expire and you will need to start over and pay the fee again.

Do I need TSA PreCheck if I have Global Entry?

No. Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck, so you will have access to the PreCheck lane automatically. You do not need to pay for both.

What if my address changes after I am approved?

You can update your address in your account at tsa.gov/precheck. You do not need to reapply or pay another fee. Your Known Traveler Number stays the same.

Can I get TSA PreCheck if I have a DUI or drug conviction?

It depends on how recent it is and what the conviction was. The TSA does not have a blanket rule; each case is reviewed individually. Contact TSA customer service at 855-347-8371 to ask about your specific situation before you explore.