TSA Is Accepting Applications for PreCheck Expedited Security Screening Program

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is expanding the availability of PreCheck – its expedited security screening program for select travelers at designated airports. On December 4, 2013, TSA began accepting applications from U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents seeking to enroll. Non-immigrants remain ineligible to participate in the program.

Eligible applicants can enroll in PreCheck in one of two ways: completing an online application, submitting identification and visiting an enrollment center to provide fingerprints or completing the entire application process by visiting an enrollment center. All applicants are subject to a background check and require a non-refundable fee of $85 for a five-year membership. Once approved, each traveler will receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) and will be eligible to be selected to use PreCheck lanes at participating airports.

It should be noted, however, that enrolling in the program does not guarantee expedited screening. Travelers will continue to be chosen randomly on a trip-by-trip basis. If a traveler is selected, the PreCheck logo will appear on his or her boarding pass.

TSA has opened the first enrollment center at Indianapolis International Airport, where travelers in the area are now able to apply and complete their background interview. TSA plans to open additional sites in New York City, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles by the end of the year. It plans to expand PreCheck to more than 300 sites across the country.

Previously, travelers could participate in PreCheck only through an airline frequent flier program or enrollment in Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Global Entry, SENTRI or NEXUS Trusted Traveler program. Members of CBP’s trusted traveler programs will continue to be eligible for the PreCheck expedited screening. However, those who enroll in PreCheck will not be able to use Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI for expedited immigration and customs clearance when traveling to or from the United States unless they are existing members of those CBP programs.