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New! On 01/14/08, TSA published the RT Security, Privacy and Compliance Standards Version 3.1 (pdf, 1.3mb). This version of the Standards incorporates industry recommendations received at the 10/31/07 RT Industry Day. For legacy information systems, Service Providers are expected to be in compliance with Version 3.1 within three months unless otherwise directed by TSA. For more information, contact RT.Standards@dhs.gov.
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The Transportation Security Administration and private industry developed the Registered Traveler (RT) program to provide expedited security screening for passengers who volunteer to undergo a TSA-conducted security threat assessment (STA) in order to confirm that they do not pose or are not suspected of posing a threat to transportation or national security.

Fingers being scanned

The RT program is market-driven and offered by the private sector with TSA largely playing a facilitating role. TSA is responsible for setting program standards, conducting the STA, physical screening at TSA checkpoints, and certain forms of oversight. The private sector is responsible for enrollment, verification, and related services.

To enroll, applicants voluntarily provide RT Sponsoring Entities (participating airports/air carriers) and Service Providers (a TSA-approved vendor chosen by a Sponsoring Entity to implement RT as its agent) with biographic and biometric data needed for TSA to conduct the STA and determine eligibility. The STA includes checking each applicant's identity against terrorist-related, law enforcement, and immigration databases that TSA maintains or uses. RT applicants who receive an approved STA result may become program participants.

Once an applicant qualifies as an approved RT participant, the traveler is able to take advantage of the benefits of the RT program which are expected to initially include:

Additional benefits will be linked to the ability of the private sector to identify and invest in innovations. Sponsoring Entities and Service Providers may recommend new technologies and practices that provide an equivalent or higher level of security compared to current procedures. TSA will evaluate such proposals based on whether or not they meet the guiding principles of the RT program which are:

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.

Please click the links below for additional information on:

Participating Sponsoring Entities

The following Sponsoring Entities are currently operating the RT program at their respective locations.