IAH Security: TSA Hours, PreCheck, CLEAR and Wait Times

Your options at a glance

Terminal A North standard checkpoint

Terminal A Before security

Standard TSA lane on the north side of Terminal A.

Hours
3:15 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Terminal A North TSA PreCheck checkpoint

Terminal A Before security

TSA PreCheck lane on the north side of Terminal A.

Hours
4:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Terminal A South standard checkpoint

Terminal A Before security

Standard TSA lane on the south side of Terminal A. Longest hours of the Terminal A checkpoints.

Hours
3:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Terminal C North TSA PreCheck checkpoint

Terminal C Before security

TSA PreCheck lane on the north side of Terminal C.

Hours
4:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Terminal C North Premier checkpoint

Terminal C Before security

A separate lane listed as Premier on the airport page. The airport does not say who can use it, so ask your airline.

Hours
4:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Terminal C South standard checkpoint

Terminal C Before security

Standard TSA lane on the south side of Terminal C.

Hours
4:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Terminal D standard checkpoint

Terminal D Before security

Terminal D has reduced TSA hours because only two airlines operate there. The airport lists two sets of hours, so confirm before you go.

Hours
Daily list: 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Terminal D notice: Sun, Mon, Wed, Fri 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Tue, Thu, Sat 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Terminal E standard checkpoint

Terminal E Before security

Standard TSA lanes in the expanded Terminal E (17-lane checkpoint), open until midnight. Check-in point for Air France, KLM and Lufthansa since March 2026.

Hours
4:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Terminal E TSA PreCheck checkpoint

Terminal E Before security

TSA PreCheck at Terminal E. The enrollment list shows 8:00 p.m. as the end time.

Hours
4:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Terminal B passengers: use Terminal C checkpoints

Terminal C Before security

The Terminal B ticketing lobby is closed, so Terminal B passengers check in, drop bags and clear TSA at Terminal C, then take the Skyway to Terminal B.
CLEAR

Before security

Terminal A North and Terminal C lanes. Terminal E lists a post-security enrollment center, and the airport's Terminal E announcement mentions CLEAR+. See the security page for hours.
CLEAR at Terminal A North

Terminal A Before security

CLEAR lane at the Terminal A North checkpoint.

Hours
Daily 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
CLEAR at Terminal C

Terminal C Before security

CLEAR at Terminal C. Saturday hours end an hour earlier.

Hours
Sun to Fri 4:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Sat 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
CLEAR enrollment center at Terminal E

Terminal E After security

The airport's security page lists a post-security CLEAR enrollment center here. The airport's Terminal E announcement also mentions CLEAR+ at the 17-lane checkpoint, so check the CLEAR app.

Hours
Daily 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
TSA PreCheck enrollment centers (Terminals A, C, D, E and FIS)

Before security

The airport lists enrollment centers in several terminals and in the Federal Inspection Services area. Book an appointment at identogo.com/services/tsa-programs. Hours: Terminal A North 3:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; A South 3:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.; C North 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; C South 4:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; D 4:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.; E 4:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.; FIS 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

IAH security checkpoints and hours

These are the checkpoint hours Houston Airports lists as of October 9, 2026. Hours can change with flight schedules, so confirm on the airport page.

Terminal A North: standard 3:15 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.; PreCheck 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Terminal A South: standard 3:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Terminal C North: PreCheck and a lane listed as Premier, both 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Terminal C South: standard 4:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Terminal D: standard 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on the main list (see the Terminal D section below)
Terminal E: standard 4:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.; PreCheck 4:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The airport does not say who can use the Premier lane, so ask your airline.

Terminal B: you clear TSA at Terminal C

Beginning January 21, 2025, United closed the Terminal B ticketing lobby. The airport says it stays closed until late 2026. Until it reopens, all Terminal B passengers check in, drop bags and clear TSA at Terminal C, then ride the Skyway to Terminal B. United also runs optional shuttle buses between Terminal C and Terminal B. The airport advises allowing at least 20 minutes between terminals.

The airport's checkpoint list has no Terminal B checkpoint, and the Terminal B PreCheck enrollment center is listed as closed. The alerts page gives no exact reopening date, so check fly2houston.com/iah/alerts/ before you fly.

Terminal E: the new international checkpoint

Since March 2026 the expanded Terminal E is where Air France, KLM and Lufthansa check in (Houston Airports moved Air France and KLM on Feb. 27 and Lufthansa by March 3, and said more airlines would follow). Check in there, then clear security at the Terminal E checkpoint. Houston Airports describes it as a 17-lane TSA checkpoint that offers TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+, and says lounge locations remain unchanged.

Arrived at Terminal D by mistake? Airport staff direct you on a 10-minute walk to Terminal E. Confirm your check-in location with your airline before you leave home.

Parked in the A/B Garage? The airport says you can take the Subway directly to Terminal E.

Terminal D has limited TSA hours

Only two airlines currently operate from Terminal D, so the checkpoint runs on modified hours:

Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The same page also lists 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. for Terminal D in its main checkpoint list. The two sets of hours do not match, so use the shorter modified hours for planning and confirm with your airline before you leave. Air France, KLM and Lufthansa no longer check in at Terminal D.

TSA PreCheck at IAH

PreCheck lanes are listed at Terminal A North (4:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.), Terminal C North (4:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) and Terminal E (4:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.). The airport's enrollment list gives Terminal E PreCheck hours as 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., so treat the end time as approximate. Houston Airports says the expanded Terminal E checkpoint offers PreCheck.

The checkpoint list shows no PreCheck lane for Terminal A South, Terminal C South or Terminal D. The enrollment list, however, gives Terminal D PreCheck hours of 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., so ask your airline which checkpoint your boarding pass points to.

Global Entry membership includes the TSA PreCheck benefit. Enrollment centers are on the Terminal E arrivals level and in the Terminal E secure area.

Not enrolled yet? PreCheck enrollment is open to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. Apply at tsa.gov/tsa-precheck, then book an in-person appointment at identogo.com/services/tsa-programs. The airport lists enrollment centers in Terminals A, C, D and E and the Federal Inspection Services area.

CLEAR at IAH

CLEAR is listed at two terminals on the airport's security page:

Terminal A North: daily, 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Terminal C: Sunday to Friday, 4:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

For Terminal E, the sources differ. The airport's security page lists only a post-security CLEAR enrollment center (daily, 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.). Its announcement about the expanded terminal describes a 17-lane checkpoint with TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+. Check the CLEAR app for the lane and hours before you go.

Where to see wait times, and when to arrive

Houston Airports posts live wait times for each checkpoint on its IAH security page, with a Refresh Wait Times button. The Houston Airports app also shows security wait times. We do not print waits here because they change by the minute.

For arrival time, the airport's parking FAQ repeats the TSA advice: at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international ones. Houston Airports' security page does not list a recommended arrival time or a reserved-time program. Add time if you park at ecopark, because the shuttle leaves 10 minutes after the first passenger boards and takes about 10 minutes.

What to expect at the checkpoint

IAH uses Advanced Imaging Technology body scanners. You can decline the scan and choose physical screening, though some passengers must be scanned under TSA rules. You can also ask for a private screening, and TSA offers a modified pat-down for children 12 and under.

The airport reminds you of the 3-1-1 liquids rule: a quart-sized bag, items of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less.

No acceptable ID? TSA ConfirmID costs $45, and TSA then tries to verify your identity.

Help and special assistance

TSA Cares helps travelers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances. Contact them at least 72 hours before you fly.

The TSA Contact Center is at 1-866-289-9673, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET Monday to Friday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET on weekends and holidays.

Questions travelers ask

What time does TSA open at IAH?

Terminal A South opens first, at 3:00 a.m. Terminal A North opens at 3:15 a.m., and the Terminal C and E checkpoints open at 4:00 a.m. Terminal D opens at 7:00 a.m. Hours can change, so check the airport security page.

Does IAH have TSA PreCheck?

Yes. Houston Airports lists PreCheck lanes at Terminal A North, Terminal C North and Terminal E. The checkpoint list shows none for Terminal A South or Terminal C South, and its Terminal D entry has no PreCheck lane, though the enrollment list gives Terminal D PreCheck hours of 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Is there CLEAR at IAH?

Yes, at Terminal A North (daily, 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) and Terminal C (Sunday to Friday until 7:00 p.m., Saturday until 6:00 p.m.). For Terminal E, the airport's security page lists an enrollment center, while its announcement about the new checkpoint mentions CLEAR+. Check the CLEAR app.

Where do Air France, KLM and Lufthansa passengers clear security at IAH?

At Terminal E, which has a 17-lane TSA checkpoint. Those airlines moved their check-in from Terminal D to Terminal E in February and March 2026. Confirm with your airline.

Where is security for Terminal B at IAH?

Terminal B passengers check in, drop bags and clear TSA at Terminal C while the Terminal B ticketing lobby is closed. The airport says that lasts until late 2026.

How long are the security lines at IAH?

It changes constantly. Houston Airports posts live waits for each checkpoint on its IAH security page and in its app.

How early should I get to IAH for a domestic flight?

The airport's parking FAQ repeats TSA's advice of at least two hours before domestic departures and three hours before international ones.

Can I reserve a time slot for security at IAH?

The airport's security page does not list a reserved-time security program. Check live wait times on that page before you leave.

Why is the Terminal D checkpoint open so few hours?

The airport says only two airlines currently operate from Terminal D and passenger flow varies through the day. Confirm your airline, terminal and checkpoint before you arrive.

More at IAH

ParkingOfficial lots, cheaper off-site options and where to wait for pickups. HotelsHotels at and near the airport, shuttles and sleeping in the terminal. To the cityTrains, buses, taxis, rideshare and private transfers. LoungesWhich lounge is in your terminal and how to get in without status. FoodBest bites terminal by terminal, before or after security. Lost and foundWho to contact: your airline, the terminal or the airport. Car rentalWhere the rental counters are and how to reach them. WifiHow to connect, charging spots and an eSIM if you land abroad.