How to apply for TSA PreCheck step-by-step

TL;DR

TSA PreCheck takes about 30 minutes of your time spread across 2 sessions: 10 minutes online to apply and pay (~$78–85), then a 10-minute in-person fingerprinting / photo appointment at one of 600+ enrollment centers. Within 3–5 business days you receive your Known Traveler Number (KTN) — a 9-digit code you add to airline reservations to get the expedited-security treatment.

Membership lasts 5 years and works at 200+ U.S. airports through 90+ participating airlines.

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What you actually get

PreCheck is a security treatment, not a separate line at every airport (though most major hubs have dedicated PreCheck lanes). When TSA prints “TSA Pre-check” on your boarding pass:

• Keep shoes on. The most-loved benefit by far.
• Keep light jackets on. Includes blazers, sweatshirts, fleeces.
• Keep belts on.
• Leave laptops in your bag. No need to unpack.
• Leave 3-1-1 toiletries in your bag. No quart bag pull-out.
• Standard metal-detector scan rather than the millimeter-wave body scanner (often).

Average PreCheck wait time at major airports: under 5 minutes. Standard lane average: 25–35 minutes during peak times.

PreCheck applies to domestic departures from U.S. airports + the first leg of international departures. It does NOT cover security at foreign airports or upon return to the U.S. (that’s CBP, not TSA).

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Are you eligible?

Yes if you are:

• A U.S. citizen, OR
• A U.S. national, OR
• A lawful permanent resident (green card holder)

No (or with conditions) if you have:

• A felony conviction in the last 7 years for a violent, drug, or weapons-related offense
• An interim or permanent disqualifying offense (full list at tsa.gov/precheck)
• Outstanding warrants
• Previously revoked PreCheck membership (must complete waiver process)

The TSA waiver process exists for borderline cases — you can apply even with a past offense and request individual review. Approval rate is higher than people expect.

Children 12 and under get PreCheck automatically when traveling on the same reservation as a PreCheck-enrolled adult. Ages 13–17 need their own KTN.

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Step-by-step application

1. Pick your enrollment provider

TSA contracts three vendors. Functionally identical, slight pricing difference:

Provider	New cost	Renewal	Key benefit
IDEMIA	$77.95	$58.95	Largest network — 500+ centers
Telos	$85	$70	Good urban coverage; faster appt slots in some markets
CLEAR	$85.25	$79.95	Includes 2-month CLEAR Plus trial

Most people pick IDEMIA for the lowest price + biggest enrollment-center network.

2. Fill out the online application

About 10 minutes. You’ll need:

• Legal name (matching your government ID exactly)
• Date of birth
• Current address (5-year history)
• Citizenship/immigration status
• Place of birth
• Country of citizenship

The form does not ask for criminal history at this stage — that comes from the FBI background check after enrollment.

3. Pay the fee

$77.95 (IDEMIA) by credit/debit card. Saved to your application.

If your credit card includes a Global Entry / TSA PreCheck statement credit (Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum, etc.), pay with that card and the credit usually lands within 1–2 billing cycles.

4. Schedule the in-person enrollment

After paying, you pick from available slots at enrollment centers near you. Major cities have multiple locations; rural areas may require a 30-60 minute drive.

Common locations:

• IDEMIA-branded enrollment offices (most common)
• IdentoGo by IDEMIA storefronts in shopping centers
• Some airports (LAX, MIA, others)
• Telos and CLEAR have separate networks

Same-day or next-day appointments are common in major cities. Smaller markets may be 2–3 weeks out.

5. Attend the appointment

Bring:

• Government-issued photo ID (state driver’s license, military ID, etc.)
• Citizenship/immigration evidence (U.S. passport book/card, certified birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or permanent resident card)
• Appointment confirmation — printed or on your phone

The visit takes 10–15 minutes:

1. Document review
2. Photo
3. Fingerprints (10 fingers, electronic — no ink)
4. Receipt with your application reference number

6. Wait for your KTN

You’ll receive an email within 3–5 business days for most applicants. About 8% of applications get pulled for additional background review and can take 30–60 days.

Check status anytime at universalenroll.dhs.gov.

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Once you have your KTN

Your KTN is a 9-digit code starting with TT. To use it:

1. Save it to your frequent-flyer profile on every airline you fly. The KTN syncs to every booking automatically.
2. Add it manually to existing reservations if it wasn’t on the booking when you made it.
3. Check your boarding pass — look for “TSA Pre-check” or “TSA PRE✓” printed on it. If it’s not there, the KTN didn’t transmit; ask the gate agent to add it.

Important: the name on your reservation must EXACTLY match the name on your PreCheck application. Even a missing middle initial can cause the KTN not to transmit. Set your frequent-flyer profile to match your government ID exactly.

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Common pitfalls

• Booking under a nickname. “Mike” on the airline ticket but “Michael” on your PreCheck → no PreCheck stamp. Match exactly.
• Forgetting to add the KTN to international airlines. Some foreign carriers don’t accept KTNs at booking — call their reservations team.
• Showing up to enrollment without ID. Don’t laugh — it happens weekly. Bring two pieces.
• Trying to enroll without immigration documentation. LPRs need their green card, not just a state ID.
• Letting it expire by 6+ months. After 6 months past expiration, you have to reapply from scratch (full $77.95 fee, in-person appointment). Renew before the 6-month window closes.
• Adding KTN to a reservation booked under a different name. A spouse-booked ticket needs YOUR KTN linked to YOUR name on the reservation.
• Assuming PreCheck means CLEAR. They’re separate programs. CLEAR ($209/year) handles ID verification; PreCheck handles security treatment. The two stack at airports where both are available.

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Our process — what each tier gets you

PreCheck has 2 tiers (it’s a relatively simple application):

Smart Choice — $69 + $85.25 government fee

• We pre-fill your application from a 90-second intake form
• We identify the closest enrollment center with the soonest opening
• We book your enrollment appointment for you
• Eligibility-check questionnaire surfaces any disqualifying offenses BEFORE you pay TSA
• You walk into the appointment with everything ready

Priority — $129 + $85.25 government fee

• Everything in Smart, plus:
• Same-day appointment booking at premium centers (when available)
• Concierge document checklist tailored to your specific situation
• Direct status escalation if your application gets stuck in extended review
• Best for: travel within 30 days where you need PreCheck active fast

The fee is paid to TSA’s contractor at the appointment (or by us in the renewal flow) — we never pad it.

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Refund policy in plain English

• 24-hour no-questions-asked refund of our service fee.
• After 24 hours, we’ve typically already booked your enrollment appointment — fee is non-refundable.
• The TSA fee is paid by you at the enrollment center (new applicants) or by us through to TSA (renewals). TSA’s policy: fees paid to TSA are non-refundable once your application is processed, regardless of approval outcome.

Full details on the refund policy page.

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How PreCheck stacks vs. other programs

Feature	TSA PreCheck	Global Entry	CLEAR Plus
Cost	$77.95 / 5yr	$120 / 5yr	$209 / year
Includes PreCheck	✓	✓	–
Skips international border	–	✓	–
Skips ID-check line	–	–	✓
Stacks with PreCheck	–	–	✓
In-person interview required	✓ (10 min)	✓ (30 min)	✓ (5 min, at airport)
Renewal in person	–	✓	–

For most U.S.-based domestic travelers, PreCheck alone is enough. If you also fly internationally, Global Entry includes PreCheck at almost the same price — see How to apply for Global Entry.