TSA PreCheck Cost
TSA says five years of TSA PreCheck cost $85 or less, and when we checked on November 2, 2026, tsa.gov listed enrollment prices of $79.75 (IDEMIA), $84.95 (CLEAR) and $85.00 (Telos), which is $15.95 to $17.00 a year by arithmetic.
Maintained by Archie Chang · Sources checked against TSA, CBP, eCFR and Federal Register text on November 2, 2026 · Methodology & sources
What TSA says it costs
The TSA PreCheck page gives the headline price:
“TSA PreCheck® gives trusted travelers a speedier security experience in dedicated lanes across the U.S. Get five years of benefits for $85 or less.”
TSA also says what the fee buys. The FAQ answers “How long does my TSA PreCheck® membership last?” and explains the fee:
“TSA PreCheck® memberships last five years.”
“The fee maintains your eligibility for a period of 5 years, and covers the operational costs associated with the TSA PreCheck® Application Program.”
Enrollment and renewal prices by provider
TSA has three authorized enrollment providers, and each sets its own price. The table is what tsa.gov listed when we checked on November 2, 2026. tsa.gov showed no date beside the prices.
| Enrollment provider | Enrollment | Renewal online | Renewal in person |
|---|---|---|---|
| IDEMIA | $79.75 | $58.75 | $66.75 |
| Telos | $85.00 | $69.95 | $58.75 |
| CLEAR | $84.95 | $72.95 | $84.95 |
tsa.gov marks the CLEAR price with an asterisk next to “free” and carries this note under the prices, quoted in full because the one-time code and its price are part of what tsa.gov says:
“CLEAR free TSA PreCheck disclaimer: Upon completion of your TSA PreCheck pre-enrollment or online renewal, CLEAR will issue you a one-time code to enroll in CLEAR+ for $134 for new enrollments or $146 for online renewals (price of CLEAR+ minus cost of TSA PreCheck). Terms apply.”
On payment, the TSA FAQ says:
“When enrolling, be sure to check with your specific enrollment provider for all accepted payment methods. Several credit cards offer assistance with enrollment costs.”
Cost per year
Arithmetic, not a TSA figure: each price in the table divided by the 5 years the fee covers. TSA’s headline of $85 or less divided by 5 years is $17.00 or less a year.
| Enrollment provider | Enrollment per year | Renewal online per year | Renewal in person per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| IDEMIA | $15.95 | $11.75 | $13.35 |
| Telos | $17.00 | $13.99 | $11.75 |
| CLEAR | $16.99 | $14.59 | $16.99 |
The renewal rows assume a renewal covers five years, which is how the TSA FAQ describes it:
“The fee maintains your eligibility for a period of 5 years, and covers the operational costs associated with the background check.”
Children
The TSA PreCheck page says:
“Children 17 and under can join an adult in the TSA PreCheck lane for free.”
The conditions are in the TSA FAQ, and they differ by age. TSA’s FAQ says:
“Generally, children do not need to apply for TSA PreCheck unless they routinely travel alone. When traveling as a family, and the adults have TSA PreCheck, children 17 and under are eligible for TSA PreCheck without having their own Known Traveler Number (KTN).”
“Children 12 and under:
Can join you in TSA PreCheck lanes.
The TSA PreCheck indicator does not have to be on the child’s boarding pass for them to accompany you in the TSA PreCheck lane.”
“Children 13-17:
Can join you in the TSA PreCheck lane only when the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on the child's boarding pass.
To get the TSA PreCheck indicator on your child’s boarding pass make sure:
the adult and the child are on the same airline reservation,
the adult’s boarding pass has the TSA PreCheck indicator.”
“If the child is on a separate airline reservation, they will not be able to get TSA PreCheck unless they have their own KTN.”
“If you are escorting your child with a gate pass, you will be directed to standard screening as TSA PreCheck benefits do not apply to gate passes regardless of membership status.”
The TSA pages saved for this page do not list a separate price for a child who enrolls on their own.
Renewal
“The cost for TSA PreCheck® membership renewal varies by enrollment provider.”
“Members may renew their TSA PreCheck® membership online up to six months before their expiration date. The new membership period begins as the current one ends, so there is no disadvantage to renewing early. Alternatively, members can renew in person at an enrollment center.
If members have changed their name since enrollment, they may either visit an enrollment center to complete the renewal process in-person or update their name by contacting the enrollment provider they have selected to process their renewal (up to six months before the expiration date). Name changes may take up to 45 days to complete and processing time varies by individual.”
“Most applicants receive approval notification in 3-5 days, though some applications can take up to 60 days. Considering this, applicants are encouraged to renew at least 60 days prior to expiry.”
The TSA FAQ also answers what happens when a Known Traveler Number (KTN) expires before a flight:
“If a flight is booked before my Known Traveler Number (KTN) expired, but the flight takes place after my KTN expires, do I get TSA PreCheck® screening?
No, you will not receive TSA PreCheck® on your boarding pass if your Known Traveler Number has expired. You must renew before expiration to continue receiving TSA PreCheck on your boarding pass.”
Applying and who can apply
“The online application takes about five minutes to complete, and the in-person visit typically lasts 10 minutes. During your visit, the enrollment provider will check your identity documents, take your fingerprints and photo, then collect payment. Please note, if enrolling through CLEAR, you have the option to pay online during the pre-enrollment step.”
“Most applicants receive their Known Traveler Number (KTN) in 3-5 days, though some applications can take up to 60 days.”
“The TSA PreCheck® Application Program is only open to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents. Applicants may be ineligible due to incomplete or false application information, certain violations of federal security regulations, or disqualifying criminal offenses and factors.”
Global Entry is a separate program from CBP and also gives TSA PreCheck access; its fee and rules are on the Global Entry cost page, and the two programs are set side by side on the Global Entry vs TSA PreCheck page.
“TSA uses unpredictable security measures, both seen and unseen, throughout the airport. All travelers will be screened, and no individual is guaranteed expedited screening.”
Frequently asked questions
How much does TSA PreCheck cost?
TSA’s PreCheck page says five years of benefits cost $85 or less. When we checked on November 2, 2026, tsa.gov listed enrollment prices of $79.75 with IDEMIA, $85.00 with Telos, $84.95 with CLEAR.
How long does TSA PreCheck last?
TSA’s FAQ says TSA PreCheck memberships last five years, and that the fee maintains eligibility for a period of 5 years.
How much does it cost to renew TSA PreCheck?
TSA’s FAQ says the cost of renewal varies by enrollment provider. When we checked on November 2, 2026, tsa.gov listed $58.75 online and $66.75 in person with IDEMIA, $69.95 online and $58.75 in person with Telos, $72.95 online and $84.95 in person with CLEAR. TSA says members may renew online up to six months before their expiration date.
Do children need to pay for TSA PreCheck?
TSA says children 17 and under can join an adult in the TSA PreCheck lane for free, with conditions that depend on the child’s age: children 12 and under can join the adult, and children 13-17 can join only when the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on the child’s boarding pass. TSA’s FAQ says children generally do not need to apply unless they routinely travel alone. The TSA pages saved for this page do not list a separate price for a child who enrolls on their own.
Does Global Entry include TSA PreCheck?
CBP lists TSA Precheck access among the Global Entry benefits, and TSA’s FAQ says Global Entry members also receive TSA PreCheck benefits as part of their membership. Global Entry costs $120 for five years; the Global Entry vs TSA PreCheck page sets the two side by side.
Does TSA PreCheck guarantee faster screening?
No. TSA says all travelers will be screened and no individual is guaranteed expedited screening.
How long does TSA PreCheck approval take?
TSA’s FAQ says most applicants receive their Known Traveler Number in 3-5 days, though some applications can take up to 60 days.
More travel cost pages
Other travel document costs: how much a passport costs and passport book vs card.
Sources (checked November 2, 2026): TSA: TSA PreCheck · TSA: TSA PreCheck FAQ · CBP: Global Entry