How to Renew TSA PreCheck

If you already have TSA PreCheck, you likely can’t imagine traveling without it. Membership often means shorter wait times in airport security lines, even at crowded airports with large numbers of travelers. In fact, in June 2022, 94% of the TSA PreCheck program members waited less than five minutes to pass through airport security, according to the Transportation Security Administration.

However, TSA PreCheck membership doesn’t last forever. How often do you have to renew TSA PreCheck? Well, membership is valid for a maximum of five years, and it must be renewed before its expiry to avoid any lapses. Thankfully, the application for renewal is quick and straightforward.

Let’s look at when you should renew TSA PreCheck, how to complete a renewal application and how much it costs.

TSA recommends renewing your membership at least 60 days prior to its expiration, though you can apply for renewal up to six months in advance. Whether you end up renewing six months or six days out (not recommended), your new membership will not begin until the old one ends.

If you’re not sure when your membership expires, you can easily find out by checking your membership status online.

Go to the TSA PreCheck website, select the tab that says “Renewal,” and enter your Known Traveler Number, date of birth and legal last name into the appropriate fields.

Most likely though, you won’t have to do this if you have a valid email on record with TSA PreCheck. At six months, three months, one month and two weeks prior to expiration, you'll receive reminder emails from “Universal Enroll” about the upcoming expiration until your renewal is completed.

» Learn more: Known Traveler Number — what you need to know

Current TSA PreCheck members can renew online easily.

1. Go to the TSA PreCheck website and select the tab that says “Renewal” to begin the process.

2. Provide your KTN, date of birth and legal last name.

3. You’ll then be guided through a series of screens that will ask you to confirm your address and passport information and answer some security questions. (Those found to have violated federal security regulations may have their TSA PreCheck enrollment revoked or suspended.)

4. Await approval.

In most cases, you will get an approval notification three to five days after submitting a renewal application. Your KTN will remain the same, and it will be valid for another five years after the current expiry date.

In more complicated cases, application approval can take up to 60 days, which is why TSA suggests renewing your membership at least 60 days prior to expiry to avoid a lapse in benefits.

It’s also possible to renew TSA PreCheck in person at one of more than 500 enrollment centers across the country. Be sure to check the hours of operation before heading to the airport.

TSA makes it clear that you will not receive any PreCheck benefits after your membership expires. This means that you will not be able to use the TSA PreCheck lane, even if your flight was booked prior to expiration.

If your membership has expired before you were able to renew it, TSA states that you will need to submit a new application. If it’s approved, you’ll receive a new KTN. If you find yourself among those who let their membership lapse, consider re-upping your membership for free by paying for it with the right credit card (more on this next).

» Learn more: How to get TSA PreCheck

Renewing TSA PreCheck requires payment of a nonrefundable fee. You’ll pay $70 if you renew online or $78 if you renew in person at an enrollment center. You can pay by credit card, money order, company check or with a certified/cashier’s check.

Several card issuers reimburse certain cardholders for the cost of the application fee. Pay for your renewal with one of these cards, and you can expect a refund in the form of a statement credit in a few weeks, essentially waiving the application fee.

For more cards that include TSA PreCheck benefits, check out this list:

Several other government programs offer TSA PreCheck renewal without going through the process described above.

Global Entry

All travelers renewed for Global Entry are automatically renewed for TSA PreCheck: no need to complete both applications. Your PASS ID on the back of your Global Entry card is also your KTN.

NEXUS and SENTRI

U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents and foreign nationals approved for NEXUS or SENTRI are also automatically renewed for TSA PreCheck when renewing NEXUS or SENTRI. Similar to Global Entry, your PASS ID serves as your KTN.

Military personnel

If you are an active member of the U.S. armed forces, you can get TSA PreCheck benefits by entering your Department of Defense ID number from the back of your Common Access Card as the KTN. This benefit also extends to those attending a military academy, and it remains valid as long as you are active military personnel.

» Learn more: TSA PreCheck or Global Entry — which is right for you?

To avoid any lapse in benefits or losing your current KTN, renew your TSA PreCheck membership as soon as possible — up to six months prior to expiry. It’s a short online application that will save you hassle at the airport for another five years.

And if you already hold a travel credit card, you may not have to pay anything out of pocket for your renewal.