How to Sign Up for TSA PreCheck and Speed Through Security

TSA PreCheck is a U.S. government trusted traveler program run by the Transportation Security Administration. Once you are approved, you get access to dedicated PreCheck lanes at over 200 airports across the country. In those lanes, you do not have to remove your shoes, your laptop, your liquids, your belt, or your light jacket. The lines are typically much shorter and move significantly faster than standard security.

Membership costs $78 and is valid for five years. That works out to less than $16 per year — a worthwhile investment for anyone who flies more than a few times a year.

To apply, go to tsa.gov/precheck and click "Apply Now." The TSA partners with several enrollment providers, including IDEMIA and Telos. Both are authorized by the government. You will complete a short online application and then schedule an in-person appointment at an enrollment center near you — most airports, many UPS Stores, and AAA locations serve as enrollment centers.

At your appointment, bring a valid government-issued photo ID (such as a U.S. passport or state driver's license) plus a proof of citizenship document (such as a birth certificate or U.S. passport). The appointment takes about 10 minutes. A staff member will take your fingerprints and review your documents. The background check typically takes three to five business days.

When approved, the TSA mails you a Known Traveler Number (KTN). This is a unique number you add to your airline reservations. Every major airline has a field for your KTN in your profile or during booking. Once added, "TSA PRE" will print on your boarding pass, and you will be directed to the PreCheck lane at the airport.

Global Entry is a related CBP program that costs $100 for five years and includes TSA PreCheck automatically. It adds the benefit of using automated kiosks when re-entering the U.S. from international travel, skipping the long customs and passport control lines. If you travel internationally even occasionally, Global Entry is the better value.

CLEAR is a separate, private service (not government-operated) that uses biometrics to verify your identity at the security lane entrance. CLEAR does not replace TSA PreCheck — you can use both together for the fastest airport experience.