The TSA PreCheck background check has three parts: an identity and citizenship verification, an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history records check, and an intelligence-related threat assessment that runs your name against national security watchlists. You can be denied for certain criminal convictions, for outstanding warrants or indictments on those offenses, or for appearing on a federal watchlist. The screening keeps running after you’re approved.
Identity and Citizenship Verification
PreCheck is open only to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and lawful permanent residents.1Transportation Security Administration. Who Can Apply for TSA PreCheck Foreign nationals aren’t eligible, though some may qualify for other Trusted Traveler programs like Global Entry or NEXUS.
TSA verifies your legal status by cross-referencing the biographic information you submit against federal records. If you provide a Social Security Number, the Department of Homeland Security may share your name and SSN with the Social Security Administration to confirm the information is valid.2Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Apply for TSA PreCheck – Section: Privacy Act Statement Providing your SSN is technically voluntary, but skipping it could prevent DHS from completing your application.
FBI Fingerprint-Based Criminal History Check
The core of the background check is a fingerprint-based criminal history records check run through the FBI. Your prints are compared against records in the FBI’s Next Generation Identification system, which holds civil, criminal, and latent fingerprint databases.3Transportation Security Administration. Apply for TSA PreCheck – Fast Airport Security Screening The search looks for convictions on a defined list of disqualifying offenses in federal regulation. Those offenses fall into two groups: permanent disqualifiers that bar you for life, and interim disqualifiers that only apply for a limited window.
Permanent Disqualifying Offenses
A conviction for any of the following felonies bars you from PreCheck for life, with no time limit and no aging out:4eCFR. 49 CFR 1572.103 – Disqualifying Criminal Offenses
- Espionage or conspiracy to commit espionage
- Sedition or conspiracy to commit sedition
- Treason or conspiracy to commit treason
- Federal terrorism as defined under federal law, or a comparable state offense
- Transportation security incident crimes involving significant loss of life, environmental damage, or major disruption to transportation systems
- Improper transportation of hazardous material
- Explosives offenses, including possessing, using, selling, manufacturing, or transporting explosives or explosive devices
- Murder
- Bomb threats, including making threats or conveying false information about explosives targeting public spaces, government facilities, or transportation systems
- RICO violations where one of the underlying crimes is itself a permanent disqualifier
- Attempt or conspiracy to commit any of the offenses above
Interim Disqualifying Offenses
A second set of felonies disqualifies you only if you were convicted within seven years of your application date, or if you were incarcerated for the offense and released within five years of your application date.4eCFR. 49 CFR 1572.103 – Disqualifying Criminal Offenses Once both windows have passed, the conviction stops blocking your application. The list includes:
- Firearms offenses, including unlawful possession, sale, manufacture, or distribution of a firearm or other weapon
- Controlled substance offenses, including distribution, possession with intent to distribute, or importation
- Fraud or misrepresentation, including identity fraud and related money laundering (welfare fraud and passing bad checks are specifically excluded)
- Bribery
- Extortion
- Smuggling
- Immigration violations
- Arson
- Kidnapping or hostage taking
- Rape or aggravated sexual abuse
- Assault with intent to kill
- Robbery
- Fraudulent entry into a seaport
- RICO violations not covered by the permanent disqualifier list
- Conspiracy or attempt to commit any interim disqualifying offense
Outstanding Warrants and Indictments
If you’re currently wanted, or under indictment in any civilian or military jurisdiction, for any felony on either list, you’re disqualified until the warrant is released or the indictment is dismissed.4eCFR. 49 CFR 1572.103 – Disqualifying Criminal Offenses Your application won’t move forward while the matter is open.
Intelligence and Watchlist Screening
Separate from the criminal history check, TSA runs an intelligence-related threat assessment. That involves searching domestic and international government databases to determine whether you meet security standards or to confirm your identity.5eCFR. 49 CFR 1540.205 – Procedures for Security Threat Assessment The screening checks your name and aliases against watchlists that include individuals known or suspected of involvement in terrorist activities.
If TSA decides you don’t meet security standards and may pose a threat to transportation or national security, it can issue an immediate revocation even after initial approval.5eCFR. 49 CFR 1540.205 – Procedures for Security Threat Assessment Unlike the criminal history check, which depends on conviction records, the intelligence screening draws on classified and unclassified information from multiple agencies and can flag risks that don’t show up in any criminal database.
Continuous Vetting After You’re Approved
The background check doesn’t stop the day you get your Known Traveler Number. PreCheck members go through recurrent criminal history vetting for the length of their five-year membership.6Transportation Security Administration. What Might Disqualify Me From TSA PreCheck Membership If TSA is notified of a new criminal record while your membership is active, your expedited screening privileges can be temporarily suspended while it investigates.
The investigation typically takes less than 30 days but can run to 90.6Transportation Security Administration. What Might Disqualify Me From TSA PreCheck Membership If the new offense is disqualifying, your membership can be permanently revoked depending on severity. A temporary suspension isn’t automatic revocation; TSA evaluates the specifics before making a final call. The same background check runs again at renewal, so a disqualifying offense picked up since your original enrollment can block you at that point too.
If TSA Finds Something Disqualifying
When the background check turns up potentially disqualifying information, you’ll receive a Preliminary Determination of Ineligibility letter explaining the reason. You have 60 days from receipt to respond, and you can request more time.7Transportation Security Administration. What if I Receive a Preliminary Determination of Ineligibility Letter From TSA Your response can be an appeal, a waiver request, or both.
An appeal challenges the accuracy of the finding, for example if the criminal record belongs to someone else or has been expunged. A waiver asks TSA to grant eligibility despite a disqualifying offense. When evaluating a waiver, TSA considers five factors:7Transportation Security Administration. What if I Receive a Preliminary Determination of Ineligibility Letter From TSA
- The circumstances surrounding the offense
- Any restitution you have made
- Completion of court-ordered treatment programs or other federal or state remedies
- Court records or medical documents showing you no longer lack mental capacity
- Any other evidence of rehabilitation showing you don’t pose a security threat
Waivers apply only to interim disqualifying offenses. Permanent disqualifiers, such as espionage, treason, murder, and terrorism, cannot be waived.
What Happens to Your Fingerprints
Your fingerprints don’t disappear once the check is done. The FBI may retain your prints and associated information in the Next Generation Identification system indefinitely, and while retained, they can continue to be compared against other fingerprints submitted to or held in that system.3Transportation Security Administration. Apply for TSA PreCheck – Fast Airport Security Screening Under current FBI retention schedules approved by the National Archives, fingerprint records are retained until the subject reaches 110 years of age, or seven years after confirmed death. A submitting agency or a court can request earlier removal.