How to Get TSA PreCheck Certified

The Transportation Security Administration recently modified their screening procedures so that travelers will now have to remove items "larger than a cell phone" – including DSLRs and mirrorless cameras – from their carry-on bags and place the isolated items in bins for separate screenings.

The new standard screening procedure will surely be an inconvenience to most photographers, especially as the rules regarding "electronics" may seem a bit ambiguous. For instance, during a call with the TSA this morning, the service representative could not provide a definitive answer as to whether or not lenses would also have to be removed with each being put in a separate bin, ultimately advising that the procedure for lenses would be determined by a TSA checkpoint agent at his/her discretion.

Few (if any) photographers will want to place each individual camera and lens into separate screening bins because of the increased screening time and frustration and increased probability of lost/stolen/mishandled (dropped) gear.

Thankfully, there's a relatively easy (though not free) way to avoid the complications of the new screening procedures – get TSA PreCheck certified.

Benefits of getting TSA PreCheck certified include:

• Not having to remove shoes, laptops, camera gear, 3-1-1 liquids, belts and light jackets.
• Avoiding body scanners (traditional metal detectors are used), important for those with radiation and privacy concerns
• Shorter line wait times

Getting TSA PreCheck certified is relatively straight-forward and easy, assuming you meet the specified criteria. According to the TSA:

It takes five minutes to submit an online application and schedule an in-person appointment that includes a background check and fingerprinting at an enrollment center.

The cost of receiving PreCheck benefits varies depending on the program you wish to qualify for. The regular TSA PreCheck certification costs $85.00, lasts 5 years and is available for U.S. citizens and U.S. lawful permanent residents. For $15.00 more, you can choose the Global Entry program which receives the benefits of TSA PreCheck plus "expedited processing through CBP at airports and land borders upon arrival in the U.S.," but also requires a passport or other lawful resident card for the application process. If planning on traveling outside the U.S. within the next 5 years, the extra $15.00 will likely prove to be a worthwhile investment. To learn about other programs which receive TSA PreCheck benefits, click here. Note that if your application is denied for any reason, the application fee is not refunded.

Following are some important details regarding the TSA PreCheck program:

• Applicants may be ineligible due to incomplete or false application information, violations of transportation security regulations, or disqualifying criminal offenses and factors.
• The name on your application must be an exact match to the name on the identification and proof of citizenship/immigration documents you provide at enrollment. The name provided must be the name used when making your airline travel reservations.
• Participating airlines print a TSA PreCheck indicator directly on your boarding pass if you are eligible for TSA PreCheck on that flight. In addition to the indicator, TSA PreCheck eligibility is embedded in the barcode of the boarding pass. Once the boarding pass is scanned at the checkpoint, the TSA officer may refer you to the TSA PreCheck lane. If you do not have a valid boarding pass with TSA PreCheck embedded in the barcode, you cannot access the TSA PreCheck lane.
• Not all airlines participate in TSA's PreCheck program. See the participating airports and airlines map for more information.

The TSA notes that PreCheck appointment times are filling up and advises applying now if traveling in the next few months.