Travel guide
You can bring your medication through the TSA checkpoint, including liquid medication in amounts larger than the 3-1-1 limit, as long as you tell the officer and it is medically necessary. Here is how screening works for pills, liquids, devices and mobility aids.
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You can bring your medication through the TSA checkpoint. Every passenger and every bag goes through screening, but medication is allowed. The main thing TSA asks is that you tell the officer what you have before screening starts.[1]
Pills and other solid medication must be screened. Keeping them clearly labeled helps that screening go faster. Liquid medication is also allowed in larger amounts than the usual carry-on limit when it is medically necessary for your flight, but you must declare it at the checkpoint.[1]
If you have a medical device, an implant, or you use a mobility aid, there are specific steps to follow. This guide walks through each situation so you know what to expect.[1]
Anyone traveling with medication should plan for a few extra minutes at security. That includes pills, liquid medication, insulin pumps, glucose monitors, and other devices attached to your body or implanted inside it.[1]
You can tell the TSA officer about a disability or medical condition in a few ways: verbally, with the TSA Notification Card, or by providing medical documentation.[1]
Walkers, crutches, walking canes and other mobility aids must go through X-ray screening. A TSA officer will inspect anything that cannot fit through the X-ray machine.[1]
TSA Cares provides information on security procedures to help passengers with disabilities, medical conditions and individuals needing additional assistance prepare for security screening. You can also request the services of a TSA Passenger Support Specialist (PSS), a TSA officer with specialized training in assisting and communicating with individuals with disabilities or medical conditions and passengers who need additional screening assistance.[2],[3]
Medications in pill or other solid forms must undergo security screening, and clearly labelling medication helps this screening. A few things can help you move through security more easily:[1]
Tell the officer before screening begins
Let the TSA officer know if you have a disability, medical condition, medical device or medication. You can do this verbally, with the TSA Notification Card, or by providing medical documentation.[1]
Declare liquid medication and accessories
Tell the officer that you have medically necessary liquids or medications. Place them in a separate bin with accessories such as freezer packs, IV bags, pumps and syringes.[1]
Know what to expect for pills
Pills and other solid medication go through X-ray or visual screening and may be tested for traces of explosives. Clear labeling helps.[1]
If you want a Passenger Support Specialist or have questions for TSA Cares, contact TSA at least 72 hours before departure. You can complete the TSA Cares form online or call (855) 787-2227.[3],[4]
TSA Cares provides information on security procedures to help passengers with disabilities, medical conditions and individuals needing additional assistance prepare for screening. They can answer questions about what to expect at the checkpoint.[2],[4]
You can bring pills, liquid medication, and medical devices. You can bring ice packs, freezer packs and gel packs to keep medication cool, whether frozen, partially frozen or melted. You can keep hearing aids and cochlear implants on; you are not required to remove them.[1]
You cannot bring a medically necessary liquid if it alarms during screening and the alarm cannot be resolved. You also cannot avoid screening altogether; everyone must be screened.[1]
If you have a bandage, compression sleeve or dressing, tell the officer before screening begins. In standard lanes, it gets additional screening, including inspection, hand-held metal detector screening, a test of your hands and a test of the item for trace explosives.[1]
If you use a white cane, Braille note-taker or other aid, it must go through X-ray screening. A TSA officer will inspect an item that cannot fit through the X-ray machine.[1]
When you arrive at the checkpoint, you will put your carry-on items on the X-ray belt. Medication should go in a separate bin. If you have liquid medication, place it in its own bin with any accessories.[1]
You will walk through a metal detector or be screened by AIT. If you have an internal device such as a pacemaker, you should not be screened by the walk-through metal detector, and you should consult your physician before flying. Tell the officer. If you choose not to be screened by AIT or alarm the walk-through metal detector, a TSA officer will conduct a pat-down.[1]
If you alarm during screening, you may need additional screening, such as a pat-down or enhanced screening of your carry-on property. If you have a medical device that alarms, a pat-down or device inspection may be required.[1]
If you are traveling with a wheelchair or scooter, TSA officers will screen it, including seat cushions and non-removable pouches. They will test items for trace explosives and X-ray removable items. If you are 75 or older and in a wheelchair or scooter, you may remain seated in standard lanes while the officer tests your hands for trace explosives. In TSA PreCheck lanes, if you are unable to stand or walk, you may remain seated in your mobility device while the officer tests your hands.[1]
Mistakes to avoid: don't leave medications in your bag without telling the officer, and don't assume you can keep a device on without mentioning it. Tell the TSA officer before screening that you have medications and place them in a separate bin, and tell the officer the location of any medical device attached to your body before screening begins.[1]
If your medication alarms and cannot be resolved, it may not be allowed through. To reduce the chance of problems, keep medication clearly labeled and declare it before screening.[1]
Yes. TSA allows larger amounts of medically necessary liquids, gels and aerosols in reasonable quantities for your flight. You must declare them to TSA officers at the checkpoint for inspection.[1]
No, you are not required to remove medical devices attached to your body. But tell the officer where the device is before screening begins. In standard lanes, an attached pump or monitor gets additional screening, including a self pat-down of the device and a test of your hands for trace explosives.[1]
Pills and other solid medication must undergo security screening. Clearly labeling medication helps this screening. They may be screened visually or by X-ray and may be tested for traces of explosives.[1]
Yes, you are not required to remove hearing aids or cochlear implants. If you are deaf or hard of hearing and need assistance with screening, tell the TSA officer.[1]
Contact TSA at least 72 hours before departure by completing the TSA Cares form or calling TSA Cares at (855) 787-2227. A PSS is a TSA officer with specialized training to assist passengers with disabilities or medical conditions. Requesting PSS service does not exempt you from screening.[3]
Tell the TSA officer if you have a pacemaker or other internal medical device. You should not be screened by the walk-through metal detector, and you should consult your physician before flying. If you choose not to be screened by AIT or alarm the walk-through metal detector, a TSA officer will conduct a pat-down.[1]
Every rule, fee and deadline above is taken from these official pages, which we read on October 23, 2026. Rules change, so check the official page before you apply or pay.
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If you are traveling with a child who has a disability or medical condition, tell the TSA officer. You can also request PSS assistance for that situation.[3],[5]
Prepare for liquid screening
Medically necessary liquids may be tested for traces of explosives. If officers cannot clear the liquid with screening technology, you may be asked to open it for Vapor Analysis. Screening will never include placing anything into your liquid.[1]
Handle devices attached to your body
Tell the officer the location of an insulin pump, glucose monitor or other device attached to your body before screening begins. You are not required to remove it, but a disconnected device may be screened by X-ray. In standard lanes, an attached pump or monitor gets additional screening, including a self pat-down of the device and a test of your hands for trace explosives.[1]
Tell the officer about implants and internal devices
Inform the officer if you have metal implants, a bone growth stimulator, a pacemaker, defibrillator or other internal medical device. If you have a pacemaker, you should not be screened by the walk-through metal detector, and you should consult your physician before flying.[1]
Choose your screening method
You can request screening by the body scanner (Advanced Imaging Technology, or AIT) if it is available. To use AIT, you must be able to stand and walk unassisted for the screening and stand shoulder width apart with arms above your head for five to seven seconds without support. If you do not want AIT, you will receive a pat-down. A pat-down is conducted by an officer of the same sex and may require removing shoes, belts or light jackets.[1]
Ask for a seat if you need one
Tell the officer about your ability to walk or stand independently before screening. You may ask for a chair or to be screened seated in your wheelchair or scooter.[1]
