How to enroll in TSA PreCheck

TSA PreCheck costs $85 for five years — $17 a year — and gets you a dedicated security lane at more than 200 airports where roughly 99% of travelers wait under 10 minutes, without removing shoes, laptops, belts, or liquids. The application takes about 15 minutes and most people receive their Known Traveler Number within 3–5 days. Here is every step, the three enrollment providers compared, how to add your KTN to every booking, and what parents need to know about traveling with kids.

What does TSA PreCheck cost, and is it worth it?

A new TSA PreCheck application costs $85 for five years across all three authorized enrollment providers. That breaks down to $17 per year, or less than a single checked bag fee. You gain access to dedicated PreCheck lanes at more than 200 airports with 90+ participating airlines, where about 99% of passengers wait fewer than 10 minutes and you keep your shoes, belt, laptop, 3-1-1 liquids, and light jacket on.

Many premium travel credit cards — including the Chase Sapphire Reserve, American Express Platinum, and Capital One Venture X — reimburse the $85 application fee as a statement credit, effectively making enrollment free.

• $85 new enrollment, valid 5 years (all providers)
• Dedicated lanes at 200+ airports, 90+ airlines
• No removing shoes, laptops, belts, 3-1-1 liquids, or light jackets
• 99% of PreCheck passengers wait under 10 minutes
• Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum, Capital One Venture X, and others reimburse the fee

Which enrollment provider should you choose: IDEMIA, CLEAR, or Telos?

TSA contracts three private companies to collect applications and biometrics — IDEMIA, CLEAR, and Telos. All charge the same $85 new-enrollment fee and submit your data to TSA for the same background-check process, so your approval timeline and KTN are identical regardless of which you choose. The main differences are renewal pricing, location footprint, and scheduling convenience. IDEMIA offers the lowest online renewal at $58.75, while Telos offers both online and in-person renewal options. CLEAR is the best option if you already have a CLEAR membership or prefer an app-based kiosk experience.

Comparing providers side by side? See our full PreCheck vs. CLEAR vs. Global Entry guide.

How to apply for TSA PreCheck: step-by-step

The full enrollment process takes about 15 minutes total— roughly 5 minutes online and 10 minutes in person. Start by filling out the online application at your chosen provider's website, then book an in-person appointment at one of the 500+ authorized enrollment centers. At your appointment you will present an accepted identity document (passport, driver's license, or permanent resident card), have your photo taken, and be fingerprinted. You pay the $85 fee at the appointment. TSA then runs a background check and emails your Known Traveler Number when approved.

• Step 1 — Apply online at IDEMIA, CLEAR, or Telos (about 5 minutes)
• Step 2 — Schedule an in-person appointment at a nearby enrollment center
• Step 3 — Attend your appointment: bring accepted ID, submit fingerprints and photo, pay $85
• Step 4 — TSA runs a background check (no action needed from you)
• Step 5 — Receive your 9-digit Known Traveler Number (KTN) by email, typically in 3–5 days
• Step 6 — Add your KTN to your airline frequent-flyer profile and every new booking

How long does TSA PreCheck approval take?

Most applicants receive their KTN within 3–5 days of their in-person appointment, confirmed directly by both CLEAR and Telos on their official sites. Some applications can take up to 60 days if the background check hits an anomaly, the application contains errors, or TSA is processing a high volume of submissions.

There is no official way to expedite approval — completing the application accurately and scheduling your appointment promptly are the best ways to avoid delays. Government shutdowns or staffing reductions can extend processing times; plan to apply at least 2–3 weeks before your first trip to be safe.

• Typical: 3–5 days after in-person appointment
• Maximum: up to 60 days in exceptional cases
• No official expedite option exists
• Government shutdowns or high volume can slow processing
• Check status via your enrollment provider's website or customer support

How to add your KTN to every airline booking

Your TSA PRE✓ indicator only appears on your boarding pass if your KTN is on file for that specific ticket. Add your KTN to your frequent-flyer profile at every airline you fly — this automatically populates it on future bookings with that carrier. For one-off bookings or partner airlines, manually enter the KTN in the “Known Traveler Number” field during checkout or in the “My Trips” section after booking.

The name on your ticket must exactly match the name on your TSA PreCheck application; a mismatch suppresses the indicator even with a valid KTN. For a full look at which airlines participate, visit our airlines guide.

• Add KTN to your frequent-flyer profile at each airline (auto-populates future tickets)
• For one-off bookings, enter KTN manually in the 'Known Traveler Number' field
• Check every booking confirmation — the TSA PRE✓ indicator must appear on your boarding pass
• Name on ticket must exactly match name on your PreCheck application
• Forgot your KTN? Look it up free at tsaenrollmentbyidemia.tsa.dhs.gov/ktn-lookup or your provider's site

TSA PreCheck for families: when do children need their own membership?

Children 12 and under travel free in the PreCheck lane when accompanying an enrolled parent or guardian — no KTN of their own is required and TSA PRE does not need to appear on their boarding pass. Children ages 13–17may also use the PreCheck lane when traveling on the same reservation as a PreCheck-enrolled parent, provided the TSA PRE indicator appears on the child's boarding pass; they do not need a separate enrollment but should be booked on the same itinerary to maximize the chance of receiving the indicator.

Any traveler 18 or older — including spouses or companions — must enroll independently regardless of the group.

• Age 12 and under: automatically join enrolled parent's lane, no own KTN needed
• Age 13–17: eligible to use the lane if TSA PRE appears on their boarding pass (book on the same reservation as the PreCheck parent)
• Age 18+: must enroll independently — no exceptions, even for spouses
• TSA does not accept online applications from anyone under age 13; a parent must complete the form for a child 12 or younger who wants their own membership

How to renew TSA PreCheck before it expires

TSA PreCheck membership is valid for five years from approval. You can begin the renewal process up to six months before your KTN expires — renewing early does not shorten your current membership, it simply adds five years from the expiration date. IDEMIA offers online renewal for $58.75; Telos charges $69.95 online or $58.75 in-person. Renewal does not require a new in-person appointment if you renew online with the same provider. If you let your membership lapse, you must re-enroll as a new applicant and pay the full $85 fee.

• Renew up to 6 months before your KTN expiration date
• Online renewal: $58.75 (IDEMIA) or $69.95 (Telos); in-person renewal: $58.75 (Telos)
• No new fingerprinting required for eligible online renewals
• Lapsed memberships require full re-enrollment at $85
• Check KTN expiration date via the TTP portal at ttp.cbp.dhs.gov

Frequently asked questions about TSA PreCheck enrollment: