How much does TSA PreCheck cost and how long does it last?

A new TSA PreCheck membership costs $78 and is valid for five years. Renewal costs $70. The fee covers the background check and biometric collection. Some travel rewards credit cards offer a statement credit that reimburses the enrollment fee; check your card's benefits guide before paying. The fee is non-refundable if your application is denied.

Is TSA PreCheck worth it if I only fly a few times a year?

For travelers who fly two or more round trips a year through large or medium US hub airports, TSA PreCheck typically pays for itself in convenience. At $78 for five years, the per-trip cost is low for regular flyers. Infrequent travelers, such as those taking one leisure trip every few years, may find the benefit less compelling, though the five-year validity means even occasional flyers can get meaningful use from a single membership.

Does TSA PreCheck work at all US airports?

TSA PreCheck is accepted at more than 200 US airports as of October 2026, including all FAA large-hub and medium-hub commercial airports, and by more than 100 participating airlines. Not every checkpoint lane at every airport is designated PreCheck at all hours; look for the TSA PreCheck logo above the lane entrance when you arrive at the security checkpoint.

Can I use TSA PreCheck on international flights departing the US?

Yes. TSA PreCheck applies to the outbound security screening at a participating US airport, regardless of whether your flight is domestic or international. It does not affect security or immigration screening at your destination country. It is separate from Global Entry, which covers US Customs and Border Protection re-entry under 8 CFR Part 235 and requires a separate CBP interview.

What Is TSA PreCheck and Is It Worth It?

TL;DR

TSA PreCheck is a DHS trusted-traveler program, authorized under IRTPA Section 4012 (2004), that lets approved travelers use dedicated security lanes where laptops and liquids stay in the bag and shoes stay on. A five-year membership costs $78 for new applicants ($70 to renew).

Key takeaways

TSA PreCheck is authorized under IRTPA Section 4012 (2004) and operates under 49 CFR Part 1540 (civil aviation security general rules); it is a federal program, not a private service.
Membership costs $78 for five years (new applicants) or $70 to renew, and is accepted at more than 200 US airports and 100-plus airlines as of October 2026.
In a PreCheck lane, travelers keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on and leave laptops and TSA-compliant liquids inside their bags; the screening technology is the same as the standard lane.
Enrollment requires an online form, an in-person biometric appointment, and a security threat assessment under 49 CFR Part 1540, Subpart B; most applicants receive a Known Traveler Number within three to five days.
Travelers who already hold Global Entry (CBP, 8 CFR Part 235) receive TSA PreCheck as an included benefit and do not need a separate enrollment.

Summary

TSA PreCheck is a US federal trusted-traveler program, authorized under the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA, Section 4012), that lets approved travelers use dedicated security lanes at more than 200 US airports. A five-year membership costs $78. This guide explains exactly what the program covers, how to enroll, what the lane experience is like at large and medium hub airports, and how to decide whether it is worth it for your travel pattern.

The steps

Complete the online pre-enrollment form at tsa.gov/precheck
Visit tsa.gov/precheck and select a TSA-authorized enrollment provider. The online form collects your legal name, date of birth, citizenship, and travel document details. It takes roughly ten minutes and pre-populates your record before your in-person appointment. Use the exact legal name on the government-issued ID you will bring; a name mismatch is the most common cause of application delays.
Do this
Go to tsa.gov/precheck and choose an enrollment provider (authorized providers include Idemia, Telos, and TSA-operated enrollment centers).,Complete the online pre-enrollment form with your legal name, date of birth, and citizenship.,Save your pre-enrollment confirmation number to bring to your appointment.
Example
A traveler planning a trip through Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) completes the online form in about ten minutes, then books an in-person appointment at a nearby enrollment center for the following week.
Best practice
Use the exact legal name that appears on the government-issued ID you will bring to your appointment. A mismatch is the most common cause of application delays.
Attend your in-person enrollment appointment
At your appointment, a TSA-authorized enrollment agent collects your fingerprints and verifies your identity documents, as required under 49 CFR Part 1540's identity-verification provisions. Bring a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID: a US passport or a REAL ID-compliant driver's license (required under the REAL ID Act of 2005, Public Law 109-13, Division B) are the most commonly accepted documents. The appointment itself typically takes about ten minutes.
Do this
Bring a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID (US passport or REAL ID-compliant license).,Pay the $78 enrollment fee at the appointment; credit and debit cards are accepted at most locations.,Allow the agent to collect your fingerprints and verify your documents.
Example
Some large hub airports host TSA enrollment centers in the terminal, making it possible to enroll on the way home from a trip.
Best practice
Check whether your travel rewards credit card offers a TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement before your appointment. Many cards cover the $78 cost as a statement credit.
Receive your Known Traveler Number (KTN)
After your appointment, the TSA conducts a security threat assessment under 49 CFR Part 1540, Subpart B. Most applicants receive their Known Traveler Number by email or through the enrollment provider's portal within three to five days. Some applications require additional review and take longer. If you have not received your KTN within 60 days, contact TSA at tsa.gov/contact.
Do this
Watch for an email or portal notification from your enrollment provider.,Log in to the enrollment provider's portal to retrieve your KTN if you do not receive an email within five days.,Contact TSA at tsa.gov/contact if you have not received your KTN within 60 days.
Example
Most applicants see their KTN arrive within a week. If you are applying close to a planned trip, apply at least two weeks in advance and monitor your enrollment provider's portal.
Best practice
Store your KTN in your airline frequent-flyer profiles and in a secure password manager so it is always available when booking.
Add your KTN to every airline booking
Your KTN does not activate automatically. Enter it in the Known Traveler Number field when booking, or add it to existing reservations through the airline's manage-booking tool. When correctly attached, 'TSA PRE' appears on your boarding pass. Add the KTN to your frequent-flyer profiles at every airline you use so it populates automatically on future bookings.
Do this
Log in to each airline's frequent-flyer account and add your KTN to your traveler profile.,For existing reservations, use the airline's manage-booking page to add the KTN before check-in.,At check-in, confirm that 'TSA PRE' or the TSA PreCheck logo appears on your boarding pass.
Example
Adding the KTN to a Delta SkyMiles profile and a United MileagePlus profile means every future booking made while logged in to those accounts automatically includes the KTN.
Best practice
Check your boarding pass every time. If 'TSA PRE' does not appear, contact the airline before reaching the checkpoint. The standard lane is always available as a fallback.
Use the TSA PreCheck lane at the airport
At participating airports, the TSA PreCheck lane is marked with the TSA PreCheck logo above the lane entrance. In that lane, shoes, belts, and light jackets stay on, and laptops and TSA-compliant liquids remain inside the carry-on bag. The lane uses the same X-ray and imaging technology as the standard checkpoint, consistent with TSA screening standards under 49 CFR Part 1544 (aircraft operator security programs). TSA officers retain full discretion to request additional steps under 49 CFR Part 1540.
Do this
Follow airport signage to the TSA PreCheck-designated checkpoint lane.,Keep shoes, belt, and light jacket on as you approach the conveyor.,Leave your laptop and TSA-compliant liquids bag inside your carry-on.,Present your boarding pass (showing 'TSA PRE') and a valid ID to the TSA officer.
Example
At Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL), TSA PreCheck lanes are available at multiple checkpoints across the domestic terminal complex, giving travelers flexibility in which entrance they use.
Best practice
Even in a TSA PreCheck lane, follow all TSA officer instructions. The PreCheck designation streamlines preparation steps but does not limit officer discretion.

What Is TSA PreCheck and How Does It Work?

TSA PreCheck is a federal trusted-traveler program administered by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), a component of the Department of Homeland Security. Congress authorized it under the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA), Section 4012, which directed DHS to establish a registered-traveler program to improve aviation security efficiency. The program's operational rules sit inside 49 CFR Part 1540 (civil aviation security: general rules) and 49 CFR Part 1544 (aircraft operator security programs).

Approved members receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) that they attach to airline bookings. When the KTN is correctly linked, the boarding pass displays a TSA PRE indicator, which grants access to a dedicated security lane at participating airports.

In a TSA PreCheck lane, travelers do not remove shoes, belts, or light jackets, and do not take laptops or TSA-compliant liquids bags out of their carry-on luggage. The lane uses the same X-ray and advanced imaging technology as the standard checkpoint; the difference is in the preparation steps required of the traveler, not in the rigor of the screening itself. TSA officers retain full discretion to request additional steps under 49 CFR Part 1540.

As of October 2026, the program is accepted at more than 200 US airports, including every FAA large-hub and medium-hub commercial airport, and by more than 100 participating airlines. Membership is valid for five years. TSA PreCheck is a federal program, not a private subscription service. It is distinct from CLEAR (a private biometric identity service not governed by 49 CFR Part 1540) and from Global Entry (a CBP re-entry program governed by 8 CFR Part 235).

What the TSA PreCheck lane experience looks like

Shoes, belt, and light jacket stay on your body.
Laptop stays inside your carry-on bag.
TSA-compliant liquids bag stays inside your carry-on bag.
You present your boarding pass (showing TSA PRE) and a valid government-issued ID to the TSA officer.
You proceed through the X-ray or imaging unit as directed.

How Do You Apply for TSA PreCheck?

Applying for TSA PreCheck is a three-step process: an online pre-enrollment form, an in-person biometric appointment, and a security threat assessment under 49 CFR Part 1540, Subpart B. TSA authorizes several enrollment providers, including Idemia and Telos, as well as TSA-operated enrollment centers at some airports. The full list of providers and locations is at tsa.gov/precheck.

Application steps

Online pre-enrollment (tsa.gov/precheck): Takes roughly ten minutes. Collects your legal name, date of birth, citizenship, and travel document details. Lets you choose a provider and schedule your appointment.
In-person appointment: Bring a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. A US passport or a REAL ID-compliant driver's license (required under the REAL ID Act of 2005, Public Law 109-13, Division B) are the most commonly accepted documents. The enrollment agent collects fingerprints and verifies your identity. The appointment is brief.
Security threat assessment and KTN issuance: The TSA reviews your application under 49 CFR Part 1540, Subpart B. Most applicants receive their KTN within three to five days. Add the KTN to every airline booking or frequent-flyer profile to activate the benefit.

Cost

New applicants pay $78 for a five-year membership. Renewal costs $70. The fee is non-refundable if your application is denied. Many travel rewards credit cards offer a statement credit covering the enrollment fee; check your card's benefits guide before paying out of pocket.

Eligibility

TSA PreCheck is open to US citizens, US nationals, and lawful permanent residents. Certain criminal convictions or immigration violations may result in denial under the security threat assessment criteria in 49 CFR Part 1540, Subpart B. The TSA publishes the full list of disqualifying offenses at tsa.gov/precheck.

Is TSA PreCheck Worth It for Frequent Hub Airport Travelers?

For most travelers who fly two or more round trips a year through large or medium US hub airports, TSA PreCheck is worth the cost and effort. At $78 for five years, the per-year cost is under $16, or roughly $8 per round trip for a traveler who flies twice a year. The benefit applies consistently across every participating airport and airline.

Traveler types and how PreCheck fits each one

Frequent business travelers (four or more trips per year): PreCheck is almost universally worth it. The streamlined lane reduces the physical and logistical demands of repeated security screening, particularly when traveling with a laptop and business attire.
Regular leisure travelers (two to four trips per year): The math and convenience both favor enrollment. Families of four each need their own membership; weigh the household cost against how often each person travels independently.
Occasional travelers (one trip every year or two): The benefit is real but less compelling. A five-year membership still covers multiple trips, and the convenience at a large hub can be significant even for infrequent flyers.
Travelers who already hold Global Entry: Global Entry (CBP, 8 CFR Part 235, $100 for five years) includes TSA PreCheck as a built-in benefit. No separate PreCheck enrollment is needed.

Where hub airports make the difference

Large and medium US hub airports process millions of passengers each year. Standard security checkpoints at these airports can be busy across morning, midday, and evening peak periods. TSA PreCheck lanes at hub airports are consistently available during operating hours, and the dedicated lane means PreCheck holders are not mixed with the general screening queue. At Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL), for example, PreCheck lanes are available at multiple checkpoints across the domestic terminal complex.

Commercial interest disclosure

Airport Online publishes airport information pages for US commercial airports and earns revenue through display advertising and partner placements. This guide links to TSA's official enrollment page because it is the most useful next step for a traveler, not because of any commercial relationship with TSA or any enrollment provider.

How Does TSA PreCheck Work at Large and Medium US Hub Airports?

TSA PreCheck is available at all FAA large-hub and medium-hub primary commercial airports in the United States, as defined under FAA Order 5090.5 (Formulation of the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems). These roughly 60 airports collectively handle the vast majority of US domestic and international passenger traffic.

Finding the PreCheck lane

TSA PreCheck lanes are marked with the TSA PreCheck logo above the lane entrance. At larger terminals with multiple security checkpoints, not every checkpoint may have a PreCheck lane open at all hours. Check the airport's official website or the TSA's airport information page before you travel. Confirm that your boarding pass shows the TSA PRE indicator before joining the lane.

What to expect in the lane

Place your carry-on bag on the conveyor belt without removing your laptop or liquids. Walk through the screening unit with shoes and belt on. If the system flags anything, a TSA officer will address it under 49 CFR Part 1540 authority, the same as in the standard lane. The benefit is in the reduced preparation steps, not in a different standard of screening.

When PreCheck is not available

Lane availability varies by time of day, checkpoint, and operational conditions. If a PreCheck lane is not open, or if your boarding pass does not show the TSA PRE indicator, use the standard lane. If you believe your KTN was not applied correctly, contact your airline's check-in desk before reaching the checkpoint.

How Does TSA PreCheck Compare to Other Trusted-Traveler Options?

TSA PreCheck is one of several trusted-traveler programs available to US travelers. The two most relevant comparisons are Global Entry and CLEAR.

TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry

Global Entry is a CBP program governed by 8 CFR Part 235 that covers expedited US Customs and Border Protection processing when returning from abroad. A Global Entry membership costs $100 for five years (new applicants) and includes TSA PreCheck as a built-in benefit. If you travel internationally even occasionally, Global Entry is often the better value because it covers both outbound security (via PreCheck) and inbound customs processing. Applying for Global Entry requires an additional CBP interview step. Verify current pricing at cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry.

TSA PreCheck vs. CLEAR

CLEAR is a private biometric identity service that replaces the ID-check step at the checkpoint entrance with a fingerprint or iris scan, moving you to the front of the document-verification line. CLEAR does not replace the X-ray screening process and is not governed by 49 CFR Part 1540. CLEAR and TSA PreCheck are complementary: CLEAR addresses the ID-check step; PreCheck addresses the X-ray step. CLEAR has its own separate fee. A detailed comparison is covered in a separate Airport Online guide.

Quick comparison

Domestic-only traveler: TSA PreCheck alone is the most cost-effective option.
International traveler: Global Entry (which includes PreCheck) is usually the better value.
Traveler who wants maximum checkpoint speed: CLEAR plus TSA PreCheck together address both the ID-check and X-ray steps.

What This Guide Does Not Cover

This guide covers TSA PreCheck as a federal program based on TSA's published guidance, the regulatory framework cited above (49 CFR Parts 1540 and 1544, IRTPA Section 4012), and publicly documented program terms as of October 2026. Three areas fall outside its scope:

Real-time checkpoint status: Lane availability, staffing levels, and checkpoint hours vary by airport and time of day. Airport Online does not publish real-time checkpoint data. Check the TSA's official airport page or the airport's own website for current information before you travel.
Program fee and term changes: The $78 new-applicant fee and $70 renewal fee reflect TSA's published rates as of the last-reviewed date of this guide (October 22, 2026). Fees are set by the TSA and are subject to change; verify current pricing at tsa.gov/precheck before applying.
Individual application outcomes: Eligibility is determined by the TSA's security threat assessment under 49 CFR Part 1540, Subpart B. This guide cannot predict or advise on individual application decisions, denials, or appeals. Contact TSA directly at tsa.gov/contact for application-specific questions.

This guide does not cover NEXUS or SENTRI (US-Canada and US-Mexico border crossing programs), Mobile Passport Control, or Global Entry interview scheduling. Those programs are addressed in separate Airport Online guides.

FAQ

What is TSA PreCheck?: TSA PreCheck is a federal trusted-traveler program run by the Transportation Security Administration, authorized under the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA, Section 4012). Approved members receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) that they add to flight bookings. At participating airports, they use a dedicated security lane where shoes, belts, and light jackets stay on and laptops and TSA-compliant liquids remain inside carry-on bags. The program is governed by 49 CFR Part 1540.
How much does TSA PreCheck cost and how long does it last?: A new TSA PreCheck membership costs $78 and is valid for five years. Renewal costs $70. The fee covers the background check and biometric collection. Some travel rewards credit cards offer a statement credit that reimburses the enrollment fee; check your card's benefits guide before paying. The fee is non-refundable if your application is denied.
How do you apply for TSA PreCheck?: Start at tsa.gov/precheck to complete the online pre-enrollment form. Then schedule an in-person appointment at a TSA-authorized enrollment provider (such as Idemia or Telos) for fingerprinting and identity verification under 49 CFR Part 1540, Subpart B. Most applicants receive their Known Traveler Number within three to five days. Add the KTN to every airline booking or frequent-flyer profile to activate the benefit.
Is TSA PreCheck worth it if I only fly a few times a year?: For travelers who fly two or more round trips a year through large or medium US hub airports, TSA PreCheck typically pays for itself in convenience. At $78 for five years, the per-trip cost is low for regular flyers. Infrequent travelers, such as those taking one leisure trip every few years, may find the benefit less compelling, though the five-year validity means even occasional flyers can get meaningful use from a single membership.
Does TSA PreCheck work at all US airports?: TSA PreCheck is accepted at more than 200 US airports as of October 2026, including all FAA large-hub and medium-hub commercial airports, and by more than 100 participating airlines. Not every checkpoint lane at every airport is designated PreCheck at all hours; look for the TSA PreCheck logo above the lane entrance when you arrive at the security checkpoint.
Can I use TSA PreCheck on international flights departing the US?: Yes. TSA PreCheck applies to the outbound security screening at a participating US airport, regardless of whether your flight is domestic or international. It does not affect security or immigration screening at your destination country. It is separate from Global Entry, which covers US Customs and Border Protection re-entry under 8 CFR Part 235 and requires a separate CBP interview.

Sources

Last reviewed Oct 22, 2026