What touchless TSA PreCheck is and how it works

Touchless TSA PreCheck lets you move through airport security without handing documents to an officer or placing items directly on the conveyor belt. Instead, you hold your ID and boarding pass up to a scanner, and the officer verifies them on a screen. Your carry-on bag goes through the X-ray machine the same way, but you do not touch the bins or conveyor.

This is not a separate membership or program. It is a screening method available at some airports for people who already have TSA PreCheck. You do not sign up for it separately or pay extra. When you arrive at a participating airport, you straightforward use the touchless lane if one is available.

Touchless screening is currently available at a limited number of U.S. airports, including Denver International, San Francisco International, and Phoenix Sky Harbor. The number of airports offering it continues to grow, but it is not yet nationwide. You can check the TSA website or ask at your airport's security checkpoint whether touchless lanes are operating that day.

Key Takeaways

  • Touchless TSA PreCheck requires you to already hold an active TSA PreCheck membership; you cannot use touchless screening without it.
  • You do not enroll in touchless separately—it is straightforward an option at participating airports when you go through security.
  • At touchless checkpoints, you hold your ID and boarding pass to a scanner instead of handing them to an officer, and bins move automatically through the X-ray.
  • Touchless lanes are available at a growing number of airports but not all; check with your airport or the TSA website before your trip.
  • You still follow standard PreCheck rules: shoes, belts, and light jackets stay on, and liquids bags stay in your carry-on.

Getting TSA PreCheck before you can use touchless screening

You must have an active TSA PreCheck membership to use any touchless lane. If you do not have PreCheck yet, you will need to enroll first. The standard enrollment process takes place at an enrollment center, where you provide identification, answer background questions, and have your fingerprints taken. The membership costs $78 to $85 depending on your location and lasts five years.

You can find enrollment centers through the TSA website by entering your zip code. Most are located at airports, but some are at passport acceptance facilities or other government offices. The appointment usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. After your background check clears—typically within two weeks—you receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) by email or mail.

Once you have your KTN, add it to your airline reservation before you fly. This step is required for the airline to recognize your PreCheck status and route you to the correct security lane. Without the KTN in your reservation, you will not be directed to PreCheck screening, touchless or otherwise.

What to bring and how to present documents at touchless checkpoints

Bring the same documents you would for regular TSA PreCheck: a valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or military ID) and your boarding pass. Have both ready before you reach the checkpoint. At a touchless lane, you will hold your ID and boarding pass up to a scanner—do not hand them to the officer. The scanner reads the documents, and the officer verifies the information on a screen.

Keep your documents at a readable distance from the scanner, usually 4 to 6 inches away. The officer will signal when the scan is complete. If the scan fails, the officer will ask you to try again or may ask to see the documents in hand. This is normal and does not disqualify you from touchless screening.

Your boarding pass can be printed or digital on your phone. If you use your phone, make sure the screen is bright enough for the scanner to read the barcode. Some airports prefer printed passes, so check your airline's guidance if you are unsure.

Moving through the X-ray and bin process

At touchless checkpoints, the conveyor belt and bins operate differently than at standard security lanes. You place your carry-on bag in a bin, but you do not push it onto the belt yourself. Instead, the bin moves automatically into the X-ray machine. This removes the need to touch the conveyor or handle bins that other travelers have used.

Remove your laptop and place it in a separate bin, just as you would at regular PreCheck screening. Shoes, belts, and light jackets stay on. Your liquids bag stays in your carry-on. Follow the same packing rules as standard PreCheck: nothing changes except how the bins move through the machine.

After your bag goes through the X-ray, it emerges on the other side. Retrieve it from the bin and move forward. If the X-ray operator needs a closer look at your bag, they will signal you to stop, and you may be asked to open it for inspection—this is the same as at any other PreCheck lane.

Finding touchless lanes at your airport

Touchless TSA PreCheck lanes are not available at every airport, and availability can change. Before your trip, check the TSA website or call your airport's security office to confirm whether touchless screening is operating. Some airports have touchless lanes only during certain hours or at specific checkpoints.

When you arrive at the airport, look for signage directing you to touchless PreCheck lanes. If you do not see any, ask a TSA officer at the checkpoint. They can tell you whether touchless screening is available that day and direct you to the right lane. If no touchless lane is operating, you will go through standard TSA PreCheck screening instead.

Airports currently offering touchless screening include Denver International, San Francisco International, Phoenix Sky Harbor, and others. The TSA continues to expand the program, so more airports may add touchless lanes in the coming months. Check back periodically if your home airport does not yet offer it.

What happens if touchless screening is not available

If your airport does not have touchless lanes or they are not operating when you arrive, you will use standard TSA PreCheck screening. The process is nearly identical: you hand your ID and boarding pass to the officer, place your bag in a bin, and move through the checkpoint. The only difference is the physical contact with documents and bins.

Standard PreCheck still offers significant time savings compared to regular security lines. You keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on, and your laptop and liquids stay in your bag. Most PreCheck lanes move much faster than standard screening, even without the touchless feature.

If you travel frequently and touchless screening is important to you, consider choosing airports that offer it when possible. As the program expands, more of your regular travel hubs will likely add touchless lanes.

Keeping your TSA PreCheck active

Your TSA PreCheck membership lasts five years from the date of approval. You will receive a renewal notice by mail or email about four months before your membership expires. Renew online through the TSA website or at an enrollment center. Renewal is faster than initial enrollment and costs the same.

If your membership expires, you cannot use any PreCheck lanes—touchless or standard—until you renew. Make a note of your expiration date so you do not miss the renewal window. If you let it lapse, you will have to go through the full enrollment process again.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Touchless screening is included with your regular TSA PreCheck membership at no additional cost. You pay the standard PreCheck fee ($78 to $85 for five years) and can use touchless lanes whenever they are available at your airport.

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

Yes. Global Entry and NEXUS both include TSA PreCheck benefits, so you can use touchless lanes with either membership. Add your KTN from whichever program you hold to your airline reservation before you fly.

What if the scanner cannot read my ID or boarding pass?

The officer will ask you to try scanning again or may request to see the documents in hand. This does not disqualify you from touchless screening. If the scan continues to fail, you will proceed through the checkpoint using standard PreCheck procedures.

Are touchless lanes faster than regular TSA PreCheck lanes?

Touchless lanes are designed to reduce contact and improve flow, but speed depends on how busy the checkpoint is. Both touchless and standard PreCheck lanes are typically faster than regular security screening because you keep more items on and do not remove your laptop.

Can I bring a companion through the touchless lane with me?

Only travelers with active TSA PreCheck can use PreCheck lanes, including touchless ones. Your companion must have their own PreCheck membership or go through standard security screening.