How TSA PreCheck Actually Works at the Airport

What TSA PreCheck does at security

TSA PreCheck lets you go through a faster security line at the airport, keep your shoes and belt on, leave your laptop and liquids in your bag, and go through a standard metal detector instead of a full-body scanner. You still get screened — the difference is the line moves faster and you remove fewer things.

The program does not may provide you will never be selected for additional screening. TSA officers can still pull anyone out of a PreCheck line for a secondary check, though this happens less often than with regular screening. PreCheck also does not work at every airport or every security checkpoint — it is available at most major U.S. airports, but some smaller regional airports do not have PreCheck lanes.

PreCheck is separate from your boarding pass. You do not need to do anything special when you book your flight. When you arrive at security, you show your ID and boarding pass, and TSA checks whether your name is in the PreCheck database. If it is, you are directed to the PreCheck lane.

Key Takeaways

• TSA PreCheck costs $78 to $85 for five years and requires an in-person appointment at an enrollment center to provide fingerprints and a photo.
• You keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on; leave laptops and liquids in your bag; and use a standard metal detector instead of a body scanner.
• PreCheck works at most major U.S. airports but not all regional airports, and you can check the TSA website to see which airports near you offer it.
• Your PreCheck membership is tied to your name and date of birth, so you must show a valid ID at security even though TSA already has your information on file.
• You can renew your PreCheck by mail or in person starting nine months before your membership expires, and renewal costs the same as the initial membership.

How to get TSA PreCheck: the enrollment process

You start by going to the official TSA PreCheck website and creating an account. You will enter your name, date of birth, contact information, and citizenship status. The site will then show you a list of enrollment centers near you with available appointment times. You book an appointment — most centers have openings within a few weeks, though this varies by location.

At your appointment, you bring a valid government-issued ID (a driver's license, passport, or military ID all work) and proof of citizenship or lawful permanent resident status. Proof of citizenship can be a passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or citizenship card. You will have your fingerprints taken digitally, have a photo taken, and answer questions about your background. The whole appointment takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

TSA then runs a background check, which takes several days to a few weeks. You will receive an email when your membership is approved, and your PreCheck number becomes active immediately. You do not receive a physical card in the mail — your membership is tied to your name and date of birth in the TSA database.

What to bring to your enrollment appointment

You must bring one valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license is the most common choice, but a passport, military ID, or passport card all work. If your ID is expired, you can still use it for PreCheck enrollment, though TSA recommends bringing a second form of ID if possible.

You also need proof of citizenship or lawful permanent resident status. A U.S. passport is the easiest option because it serves as both your ID and proof of citizenship. If you do not have a passport, bring a birth certificate (original or certified copy), naturalization certificate, citizenship card, or permanent resident card. A photocopy of your birth certificate does not work — it must be an original or certified copy.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you can still get PreCheck if you are a lawful permanent resident. You will need your green card and a valid passport from your country of citizenship.

The cost and how long PreCheck lasts

TSA PreCheck costs $78 to $85 depending on the enrollment center. Some centers charge $78, others charge $85 — the price varies slightly by location. You pay at your appointment, and most centers accept credit cards, debit cards, and cash. The fee covers five years of membership.

Your membership is active for exactly five years from the date your application is approved, not from the date of your appointment. If you were approved on March 15, 2024, your membership expires on March 15, 2029. TSA will send you an email reminder about 60 days before your membership expires.

You can renew your PreCheck starting nine months before it expires. Renewal costs the same as the initial membership and can be done either by mail or by scheduling a new in-person appointment. Renewing by mail is faster — you submit your renewal application and fee online, and TSA processes it without requiring you to visit an enrollment center again.

Which airports have TSA PreCheck lanes

TSA PreCheck is available at most major U.S. airports, including all the largest hubs like Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. However, not every airport has a PreCheck lane. Smaller regional airports, some military bases, and a few international airports do not offer PreCheck screening.

The TSA website has a searchable list of all airports with PreCheck. You can search by city or airport code to see whether PreCheck is available at the airports you use most often. If you travel through an airport without PreCheck, you go through standard security screening even though you have an active membership.

Some airports have PreCheck lanes only at certain terminals or only during certain hours. If you are flying out of an unfamiliar airport, check the airport's website or the TSA website before you arrive to confirm which terminal has PreCheck and whether it is available at your departure time.

What happens if your PreCheck membership expires

If your membership expires and you have not renewed it, you will go through standard security screening on your next flight. TSA does not automatically renew your membership — you have to actively renew it yourself. If you miss the renewal window and your membership lapses, you will need to pay the full fee and go through the enrollment process again, including an in-person appointment.

You can renew your membership up to nine months before it expires, so you have a long window to do it. If you renew by mail, TSA recommends submitting your renewal at least two months before your membership expires to ensure it is processed in time. If you renew in person at an enrollment center, your new membership becomes active immediately after your appointment.

PreCheck and international travel

TSA PreCheck only works for flights departing from the United States. It does not give you any benefits when you are traveling internationally or going through security in another country. If you are flying from a U.S. airport to an international destination, you get the PreCheck benefit on the U.S. side of security, but you will go through standard screening when you arrive in the other country.

If you travel internationally frequently, you might also want to consider Global Entry, which is a separate program that gives you expedited screening when you return to the United States through customs and immigration. Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck as a benefit, so you get both programs with one membership. Global Entry costs more than PreCheck alone and requires a different application process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to add my PreCheck number to my boarding pass?

No. Your PreCheck membership is tied to your name and date of birth in the TSA database. When you check in for your flight, you do not need to enter a PreCheck number or do anything special. TSA checks your name against the PreCheck database when you arrive at security.

Can I use PreCheck if I have a criminal record?

It depends on the offense. TSA conducts a background check and may deny PreCheck to people with certain felonies, drug convictions, or security-related offenses. If your application is denied, TSA will send you a letter explaining why. You can request reconsideration or appeal the decision.

What if I change my name after getting PreCheck?

You need to update your PreCheck membership with your new name. Contact TSA or visit an enrollment center with your new ID and marriage certificate or legal name change document. The update is usually free, but you may need to pay a small fee depending on the enrollment center.

Does PreCheck work for connecting flights?

Yes. If you have a connecting flight, you go through PreCheck screening at your first airport. At your connection, you go through security again, and PreCheck applies to that screening as well, as long as the airport has a PreCheck lane.

Can I get PreCheck if I am not a U.S. citizen?

Yes, if you are a lawful permanent resident. You will need your green card and a valid passport from your country of citizenship. Temporary visa holders cannot get PreCheck, but they may be able to use other expedited screening programs depending on their visa type.