Frequently Asked Questions
Registered Traveler
General
What is Registered Traveler?
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) facilitated the private industry in developing the Registered Traveler (RT) program for travelers who volunteer to submit the biographic and biometric information necessary for TSA to conduct a security threat assessment (STA) and confirm that they do not pose or are not suspected of posing a threat to transportation or national security. Travelers who receive an "approved" STA result will be positively identified at the airport through biometric technology and may take advantage of the expedited screening process available exclusively through the RT program.
What is the current status of the RT program?
The current phase of the RT program, known as the Registered Traveler Interoperability Pilot (RTIP), introduces interoperability among participating airports/air carriers and functionality across larger populations. The RTIP is expected to include approximately 10-20 Sponsoring Entities. Several Sponsoring Entities are already operating the RT program at their respective locations. Additional Sponsoring Entities will begin participating in the RTIP as they make the necessary business arrangements.
Where can I find updates on the RT program?
Program updates will be posted on the RT Web page as they become available.
Travelers
Who is eligible for RT?
All U.S. Citizens, Nationals, and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) are eligible for RT. As defined by Federal law, race, color, national origin (of citizens, nationals, and LPRs), religion, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, status as a parent, or protected genetic information do not affect eligibility. TSA will not restrict eligibility on the basis of economic status or status in airline frequent flier programs.
How can I enroll?
Contact a participating airport/air carrier for enrollment information. For a list of participating airports/air carriers, please click here.
When will Registered Traveler be available at my local airport?
RT is a private-sector led program and the timeline for implementation will be driven by industry. Each airport authority will individually decide whether to participate in RT. TSA will continue to work with interested airports to facilitate implementation of RT. If you wish a particular airport to join RT, you may consider contacting them directly to express your support.
How will my personal information be used and protected?
TSA published the Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) for RT in September 2006. The PIA provides the public with an outline for the collection, processing, transmission, storage, and protection of RT applicant data under the RT program. Please click "Useful Links" above to view the PIA in its entirety.
What is included in the STA and how long will it take?
The STA includes running the RT applicants' information through terrorist-related databases, criminal databases for outstanding warrants, and other government databases that TSA maintains or uses in order to confirm that applicants are U.S. citizens, lawful permanent resident aliens or nationals of the United States, and to ensure that the applicant does not pose or is not suspected of posing a threat to transportation or national security.
For most passengers, the STA will be completed in a matter of days though it could take longer for those applicants with missing information or problematic results.
Is there a redress process for applicants who do not receive an approved STA result and are denied participation in the RT program?
Applicants who do not receive an approved STA result (and consequently cannot participate in RT) will be able to seek redress through TSA's Office of Transportation Security Redress.
An individual may download redress information from the TSA public website at www.tsa.gov, or contact the TSA by e-mail: TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov.
How will RT cards be issued?
Service Providers will be required to produce cards that meet TSA standards for security and implement reasonable safeguards (as defined in TSA standards) to ensure no unauthorized production occurs. Service Providers will be responsible for the quality of the RT cards used as well as the replacement of any lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed RT cards.
How often do I have to renew my RT membership?
RT membership must be renewed annually. The Central Information Management System (CIMS) will monitor the enrollment dates of all RT participants and deactivate an RT membership in the absence of renewal.
Can I apply for multiple RT cards?
Yes. TSA anticipates that individual vendors will likely offer a range of incentives. RT applicants may wish to apply for the RT program through multiple vendors to take advantage of varying benefits. However, each applicant is assigned a Global Unique Personal Identifier (GUPID), which identifies the applicant and remains consistent regardless of the issuing SP.
Will I be automatically enrolled in the RT program if I have a security clearance?
TSA is examining this possibility. However, the following key issues must be addressed prior to integrating individuals who have security clearances through other programs (i.e., military or government officials):
- Each government agency issues security clearances using a distinct set of disqualifying criteria based on that agency's specific mission. Therefore, TSA would have to establish a policy that would allow the transfer of an individual's background investigation via reciprocity to TSA for the purpose of enrolling in RT.
- Integration of individuals with security clearances would require TSA to have a means to verify the status of that clearance on a frequent basis and to establish that the cost of verifying the person with an active security clearance is less than the cost of simply conducting the STA.
- RT fees cannot be waived as they cover the entire cost of providing RT services and not just the security threat assessment.
Airports/Air Carriers
What is a Sponsoring Entity?
A Sponsoring Entity (SE) is an airport or air carrier, subject to TSA regulations, that manage the RT program at a particular site or sites. These entities sponsor Service Providers and operate the program in compliance with TSA's Security, Privacy and Compliance Standards.
How do we become a TSA approved SE?
To notify TSA of your intent to participate in the RT program as an SE, please contact the RT Program Management Office at Registered.Traveler@dhs.gov.
What requirements must an SE meet in order to receive TSA approval to provide RT services?
Sponsoring Entity Guidelines (PDF, 75 KB)
How long does it take?
The length of time it takes individual SEs to receive TSA approval to provide RT services will vary based on their ability to fulfill participation requirements as outlined in the Sponsoring Entity Guidelines.
Is there a current list of TSA approved Service Providers?
Please click the "Vendor" link above for a current list of TSA approved Service Providers.
Will we be responsible for additional costs associated with the RT program?
TSA will not seek cost reimbursement from airports for physical screening until such time that any proposed RT process impacts TSA duties, responsibilities, or costs. If an SE decides to create a separate screening lane for RT participants or institute a process that requires Transportation Security Officer (TSO) support beyond what TSA is currently providing for RT passengers, TSA will charge the SE a fee based upon the cost of providing services and support beyond what TSA is currently providing to RT passengers. TSA plans to collect this fee from the SE directly and does not plan to include this fee in the RTIP fee. The SE and its Service Provider may decide, however, to pass on these costs to RT participants through their own fees.
Can TSA provide an MOA or ASP/AOSSP/MSP Amendment template?
Yes. TSA can provide examples of each to your local Federal Security Director (FSD).
How do we incorporate new security technology into RT operations at my location?
If an SE-either on its own or on a Service Provider's behalf-wishes to incorporate new security technology into its RT operations, TSA must first evaluate and approve it as suitable for RT operations. An SE may request modifications to checkpoint security procedures based on the introduction of TSA-approved technology.
Vendors
What is a Service Provider?
A Service Provider (SP) is a term of collective reference for Verification and Enrollment Providers.
What is a Verification Provider?
An RT SP that biometrically verifies the identity of the RT participant using the Verification Station at the airport. This verification is conducted in accordance with TSA-issued RT standards and the Verification Provider may be the same entity as an Enrollment Provider.
What is an Enrollment Provider?
An RT SP that collects the biographic and biometric information from RT applicants, transmits the required information to the CIMS, collects user fees from RT applicants, and issues RT cards to RT participants. An Enrollment Provider may be the same entity as a Verification Provider.
How can we become a TSA approved Service Provider?
Please click the "Vendor" link above to view the SP Initial Participation Requirements and Application Process.
SAFETY Act
How does the SAFETY Act apply to RT?
The SAFETY Act is a voluntary program offered by the Department of Homeland Security through which the Sellers (those who sell or otherwise are providers) of technologies with demonstrated anti-terrorism capabilities are granted limitations of liability for claims arising out of, relating to, or resulting from an act of terrorism that involves their approved technologies. These liability limitations comes in two forms under the SAFETY Act - Designation, in which a cap is placed on the Seller's liability equal to a specified amount of liability insurance coverage, or Certification, where a Seller possesses the cap and may also assert the government contractor defense (immunizing the Seller from liability) in response to SAFETY Act claims involving the Seller's approved technology. Since under the SAFETY Act, a lawsuit may be filed only against the Seller of the anti-terrorism technology, the downstream buyers and users of the technology, as well as the Seller's suppliers and contractors, are protected.
Because of the Registered Traveler (RT) Program's relationship to ensuring airline security, it is likely that many technologies necessary for the successful implementation of the RT Program (including a variety of integration services) might appropriately apply for SAFETY Act protections.
Is our Service Provider required to have SAFETY Act coverage if they introduce new technology?
A Service Provider is not required by the SAFETY Act to have SAFETY Act coverage before providing services at an airport. Under the SAFETY Act, applying for SAFETY Act protections is a voluntary process. (However, an airport authority may decide for itself to require SAFETY Act coverage as part of its procurement process.)
If a Service Provider has already obtained SAFETY Act protection and supplies a new technology, that new technology will be covered under the Service Provider's SAFETY Act protections provided it does not exceed the scope of the technology as defined in the SAFETY Act's Designation or Certification documents.
If our Service Provider doesn't have SAFETY Act coverage, can we (the airport authority) and should we separately apply?
There is nothing to prevent a local airport authority from applying for SAFETY Act protections, if it sells or otherwise provides an anti-terrorism technology (or service). If a local airport authority wishes to apply for SAFETY Act protection, it will be expected to define its technology and demonstrate that technology's potential utility and effectiveness as an anti-terrorism technology.
If our Service Provider does have coverage, how does this affect our (the airport authority's) liability?
In order for SAFETY Act protections to apply, two conditions must be met. First, the Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security must declare that an event is an act of terrorism for the purpose of the SAFETY Act. Second, the Service Provider's (Seller's) technology would need to be considered the proximate cause of any loss in the event of that act of terrorism. If these two conditions are met, the local airport authority should benefit from the Service Provider's SAFETY Act protections (primarily because the SAFETY Act applies throughout the supply chain of a technology). However, in cases where either of the conditions are not met, the SAFETY Act does not apply, and the airport authority would not receive any liability protection from the Service Provider's SAFETY Act Designation or Certification.
Fee
How much does it cost to participate in the program?
The total participant fee consists of two parts: the TSA-set portion and the private sector portion. The TSA fee is $28 per year per RT applicant or participant.
The private sector portion will be charged in addition to the TSA-set portion and may vary based upon the services provided.
What does the $28 fee determined and what does it include?
TSA will recover costs associated with the RT program through a participant fee. The $28 TSA fee covers the cost of program operations and vetting. The fee was set via Federal Register Notice on November 24, 2006.
RT Federal Register Notice (PDF, 62 KB)
Who will pay for additional costs associated with the RT program like security enhancements and staffing for dedicated lanes?
If an SE decides to create a separate screening lane for RT participants or institute a process that requires TSO support beyond what TSA is currently providing for these passengers, TSA will then charge the SE the fee based upon the cost of providing services and support beyond what TSA is providing to non-participant passengers. TSA plans to collect this fee from the SE directly and does not plan to include this fee in the RTIP Participant Fee. The SE and its SP may decide, however, to pass on these costs to RT participants through their own fees.
RT Technology
How were requirements defined for testing of the GE Kiosk?
TSA and GE agreed in July on a series of specifications that needed to be met before a GE shoe scanner would be authorized for widespread use in U. S. airports. The specifications covered minimum requirements for explosives and weapons detection.
What are the results of the testing?
The shoe scanning feature on the machine presented for testing on August 20 does not meet minimum detection standards. While significant improvements were made, (in fact a new machine was submitted) the shoe scanner still does not meet standards to ensure detection of explosives.
GE's been apprised of these results and TSA and GE have agreed to continue working together. TSA and its partners at the laboratory stand ready to further test the GE shoe scanner feature upon completion of additional detection capability enhancements to meet the agreed upon security requirements.
The machine currently in use in Orlando does not meet minimum detection standards and several additional security measures are required by TSA to mitigate the shortfalls of the shoe scanner feature. Accordingly, the prototype shoe scanner used in Orlando will be discontinued, effective October 10. It had been hoped that an acceptable scanner would be available, but given that the lab prototype does not meet all standards, TSA will not authorize the shoe scanner feature for security purposes in any of the airports where it is currently deployed and awaiting use. The GE Kiosks may be used to read biometric cards associated with the Registered Traveler program but will not provide a security benefit.
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