TSA PreCheck FAQs: Cost, Eligibility, Renewal, and Family Rules Explained

TSA PreCheck is a Trusted Traveler Program run by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that lets pre-screened travelers use a dedicated security lane and skip some of the standard screening steps. Members can generally keep their belts and light jackets on, leave laptops and 3-1-1 liquids in their carry-on, and move through security faster than in the standard line.

Below are answers to the most common questions about how TSA PreCheck works, what it costs, who qualifies, and how family members are affected.

What Is TSA PreCheck and How Does It Work?

TSA PreCheck is a TSA program within the trusted-traveler ecosystem (often discussed alongside DHS/CBP programs such as Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI) so readers understand agency differences. It pre-screens eligible travelers with a background check so they can move through airport security more efficiently.

Once approved, you can use TSA PreCheck lanes at more than 200 airports nationwide. In these lanes, members generally do not need to remove:

• Belts
• Light jackets
• Laptops (they can stay in your carry-on)
• 3-1-1 liquids (they can stay in your bag)

Note that as of July 2025, TSA ended its shoes-off requirement for all travelers at U.S. airports, not just PreCheck members, though officers can still ask individual travelers to remove shoes if a scanner flags something. The main screening advantages that remain specific to PreCheck are the dedicated lane, keeping belts and jackets on, and not needing to separate laptops and liquids.

TSA reports that most PreCheck members wait under 10 minutes at security, compared with up to 30 minutes in standard lanes, though actual wait times vary by airport and time of day.

What Is a Known Traveler Number (KTN)?

Once approved for TSA PreCheck, you receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN). KTNs are typically 9 or 10 digits and may include letters; the prefix often indicates your enrollment provider.

Enter your KTN in the "known traveler number" field when booking a flight. This links your reservation to your TSA PreCheck status and, when everything matches, triggers the PreCheck indicator on your boarding pass. If you have Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI instead, your KTN is your CBP PASS ID number rather than a TSA-issued number.

Who Is Eligible for TSA PreCheck?

Both adults and minors can apply. To be eligible, you must be one of the following:

• A U.S. citizen
• A U.S. national
• A U.S. lawful permanent resident (LPR)

TSA makes the final eligibility determination after reviewing your application and background check. You may be denied or have your status revoked, temporarily or permanently, if you:

• Have a disqualifying criminal history, depending on its severity, nature, and how long ago it occurred
• Are currently wanted or under indictment for a disqualifying offense
• Have been the subject of a specific legal determination by a court, board, commission, or other government authority, such as being found not competent to stand trial, found not guilty by reason of insanity, determined to lack the capacity to manage your own affairs, determined to pose a danger to yourself or others as a result of mental illness, or involuntarily committed to an inpatient facility for mental health or psychiatric reasons

These are narrow, formally documented legal findings, not general mental health history or diagnoses, which on their own do not affect eligibility.

How Much Does TSA PreCheck Cost?

TSA works with three authorized enrollment providers. Pricing varies slightly by provider and by whether you enroll or renew online versus in person.

• New enrollment: typically ranges from about $76.75 to $85 for a five-year membership, depending on the provider.
• Online renewal: typically ranges from about $58.75 to roughly $80, depending on the provider.
• In-person renewal: generally costs more than online renewal and varies by provider.

Can You Get TSA PreCheck for a Discount or for Free?

• Active-duty military and DoD civilians: Service members (including the Reserves, National Guard, and Coast Guard) and DOD civilian employees receive TSA PreCheck expedited screening at no cost by using their DoD ID number as their Known Traveler Number when booking travel. DOD civilians must opt in first through the ID Card Office Online; service members are typically enrolled automatically.
• Veterans and Gold Star families: Under the Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act, veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities may be eligible for free TSA PreCheck enrollment. Gold Star family members (immediate family of a service member who died in the line of duty) can also have their enrollment fee waived. Other veterans without a qualifying disability apply as civilians and pay the standard fee.
• Credit cards: Many premium travel credit cards reimburse the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee as a statement credit, typically once every four to five years per account. Confirm the specific terms and reimbursement cycle with your card issuer before applying.
• Loyalty programs: Some airline and hotel loyalty programs also cover the fee or offer a discount.

Eligibility rules and covered benefits can change, so check current guidance from TSA or your card/program issuer before relying on any of the above.

How Do You Apply for TSA PreCheck?

1. Start at tsa.gov/precheck, which links out to TSA's authorized enrollment providers. Enrollment locations, appointment availability, and pricing differ by provider, so it's worth comparing them before choosing one.
2. Complete the online application with the provider you've chosen. This typically takes about 5 to 10 minutes and asks for your personal information, citizenship or residency status, and identity details.
3. Schedule (or, with some providers, walk into) an in-person appointment at an enrollment center. At this appointment, you'll show original or certified identity and citizenship documents, get fingerprinted, and pay the application fee.

What Documents Do You Need at Your Appointment?

TSA has two document lists for enrollment: "List A," where a single document proves both identity and citizenship, and "List B," which requires a photo ID document plus a separate document proving citizenship. You can find the full lists on TSA's required identification page; common examples include:

• An unexpired U.S. passport (book or card), which satisfies List A on its own
• A REAL ID-compliant driver's license or state photo ID, paired with a certified U.S. birth certificate or Consular Report of Birth Abroad
• A Permanent Resident Card ("Green Card") for lawful permanent residents

Documents must be originals or certified copies, and the name on them must match your application exactly. If you've legally changed your name, bring the supporting document, such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree.

After your appointment, TSA reviews your application along with your background check results. Many applicants receive a response within a few days, but some reviews take longer depending on the background check, so it's worth applying well ahead of any upcoming trip.

Comparing enrollment providers, completing the application accurately, and keeping track of appointment and document requirements is where most delays happen.

If you'd rather not handle this yourself, GOV+ can help you complete the online application, confirm which documents to bring, and schedule your enrollment center appointment. TSA still conducts the background check and makes the final approval decision.

Can Family Members Use TSA PreCheck Together?

TSA's family rules depend on the child's age. Anyone 18 or older must have their own Known Traveler Number and enter it when booking.

• Children 12 and under can join an enrolled parent or guardian in the TSA PreCheck lane. The PreCheck indicator does not need to appear on the child's own boarding pass for this to work.
• Children 13 to 17 can join an enrolled parent or guardian in the TSA PreCheck lane only when the PreCheck indicator appears on the child's own boarding pass. To make that happen, the child must be on the same airline reservation as the enrolled adult, and the adult's boarding pass must show the PreCheck indicator. If the child doesn't have their own KTN, leave the KTN field blank on their portion of the reservation rather than entering the adult's number. If the child is booked on a separate reservation, they won't get the PreCheck indicator unless they have their own KTN.
• Children traveling alone who fly unaccompanied on a regular basis should enroll in TSA PreCheck (or another DHS Trusted Traveler Program) directly, since there's no way to extend a parent's membership to a child who isn't traveling with them. Note that TSA PreCheck benefits do not apply to gate passes, so an adult escorting a child to the gate will go through standard screening regardless of their own membership status.
• Spouses, partners, and other adults are not covered by another person's PreCheck membership. Each adult must apply individually, receive their own KTN, and enter it when booking.

Is TSA PreCheck Screening Guaranteed Every Time?

No. Even with an approved KTN, TSA uses randomized additional screening measures, and some travelers with PreCheck may occasionally be directed to standard screening. This can also happen if your boarding pass doesn't display the PreCheck indicator; in that case, it's worth checking with your airline, since this is sometimes the result of a booking error rather than a TSA decision.

Your application or renewal can also be denied, or your existing membership revoked, if you no longer meet the program's eligibility requirements.

When and How Should You Renew TSA PreCheck?

TSA PreCheck membership lasts five years. According to TSA, you can renew online starting up to six months before your expiration date, and the new membership period begins as soon as the current one ends, so there's no downside to renewing early. TSA recommends renewing at least 60 days before expiration to leave enough time for processing. There is no grace period: if your membership expires before your renewal is approved, you lose PreCheck benefits until the new application or renewal goes through.

Renewing online generally keeps your existing KTN, according to TSA. If your legal name has changed since you last enrolled, you have two options: contact the enrollment provider you're renewing with to update your name on file (also within the six-month window before expiration), or complete your renewal in person at an enrollment center. TSA notes that name changes can take up to 45 days to process, so it's worth starting early if this applies to you.

If you'd rather not track your own renewal window, GOV+ can help you confirm your expiration date, complete the online renewal, and handle a name update if you need one. TSA still reviews and approves every renewal.

What Name Should You Use on the Application?

Use your full, current, legal name exactly as it appears on your government-issued identification and citizenship or immigration documents. You'll also be asked to list any previous names, maiden names, or aliases you've used. The name on your TSA PreCheck application must match the name on your airline reservations, or the PreCheck indicator may not appear on your boarding pass.

What Are the Gender Options on the TSA PreCheck Application?

Gender on the TSA PreCheck application is self-reported. According to TSA's guidance on gender diversity, applicants can select Male, Female, or Another Gender, and no medical certification or supporting documentation is required for this selection.

Identity verification for screening is based on your name, date of birth, and KTN matching your reservation, not on your selected gender. TSA states that you'll still receive PreCheck screening even if the gender on file differs from the gender on your identification or airline reservation, as long as those other details match.

Getting Help With Your TSA PreCheck Application

Whether you're renewing your TSA PreCheck or applying for the first time, GOV+ makes the process easy.

• Simple online form — no paper forms, no government websites to navigate
• Eligibility check — we confirm you qualify before you start
• Appointment scheduling — we set up any required in-person visits for you
• Document guidance — we make sure you have everything you need to avoid delays
• Real-time tracking — monitor your application status at every step
• 24/7 expert support — get answers fast without waiting on hold

And once you're approved, GOV+ keeps your membership from slipping through the cracks — with automatic renewal reminders so your PreCheck never expires without warning.

Ready to apply for TSA PreCheck? Get started here.

Sources:

1. TSA. TSA PreCheck®. https://www.tsa.gov/precheck
2. TSA. TSA PreCheck® FAQ. https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/faq
3. TSA. What is a TSA PreCheck® enrollment provider? https://www.tsa.gov/travel/frequently-asked-questions/what-tsa-precheckr-enrollment-provider
4. TSA. How do I renew my TSA PreCheck® membership? https://www.tsa.gov/travel/frequently-asked-questions/how-do-i-renew-my-tsa-precheckr-membership
5. DHS/TSA. DHS to End 'Shoes-Off' Travel Policy. https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2025/07/08/dhs-end-shoes-travel-policy
6. TSA. Transgender/Non-Binary/Gender Nonconforming. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/tsa-cares/gender-diversity/transgendernon-binarygender-nonconforming
7. TSA. Free TSA PreCheck® for Uniformed Service Members and DOD Civilians. https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/military/military-travelers
8. TSA. Announcing New TSA PreCheck® Benefits for the Military and Uniformed Service Community. https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2025/07/02/announcing-new-tsa-precheckr-serve-honor-travel-ease-benefits-for
9. TSA. Required Documents for TSA PreCheck® Application. https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/required-identification
10. TSA. I am traveling with my family; can they also use the TSA PreCheck® lane? https://www.tsa.gov/travel/frequently-asked-questions/i-am-traveling-my-family-can-they-also-use-tsa-precheckr-lane
11. TSA. Does the gender on your airline reservation, your identity document, and your TSA PreCheck® application need to match? https://www.tsa.gov/travel/frequently-asked-questions/does-gender-your-airline-reservation-your-identity-document-and