TSA Management Directive No. 100.4 - Transportation Security Searches - Revised Directive

Sep 18, 2026

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Transportation Security Searches policy directive issued by TSA Management Directive No. 100.4 establishes rules for enhancing the security of domestic and international commercial travel in the United States. It defines purpose, scope, and authorities governing TSA operational searches, including checkpoint screening and related discovery of threat items. The directive specifies nondiscrimination requirements, explains that it does not limit TSA law enforcement authority, and clarifies definitions such as administrative search, consent search, detection technology, and checkpoint screening.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Purpose

Scope

Authorities

Definitions

Administrative Search

Accessible Property

Behavior Detection Officers (BDOs)

Checkpoint Screening

Consent Search

Detection Technology

Federal Air Marshal (FAM)

Gate Screening

Identification Media

Law Enforcement Officer

Playbook

Playbook Screening

Office of Inspection Criminal Investigator

Prohibited Items

Random Selection Protocol

OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY TSA MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVE No. 100.4 TRANSPORTATION SECURITY SEARCHES To enhance mission performance, TSA is committed to promoting a culture founded on its values of Integrity, Innovation and Team Spirit. REVISION: This revised directive supersedes TSA MD 100.4, Transportation Security Searches, dated September 1, 2009. SUMMARY OF CHANGES: Section 4, Definitions, clarifies and adds terms; and Section 6, Policy, addresses discovery of currency and illegal items, explains authority to verify identity, and discusses layered security. 1. PURPOSE: This directive establishes TSA policies to enhance the security of domestic and international commercial travel in the United States. These policies protect persons, facilities, and critical infrastructure as part of a layered security system in all modes of transportation by preventing, protecting against, and responding to acts of terrorism. 2. SCOPE: This directive applies to all TSA operational components and to all searches conducted under TSA authority, including, but not limited to, checkpoint screening to find explosives, improvised explosive device (IED) components, weapons, and other threat items. TSA personnel must use this directive in carrying out their functions. This directive does not and is not intended to limit the authority ofTSA law enforcement officers. All search operations must be conducted without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability except as directed by the Federal Security Director (FSD) or Supervisory Air Marshal in Charge (SAC) and provided such direction is based on specific intelligence threat information. 3. AUTHORITIES: A. 6 U. S.C. § 1112 B. 49 U. S.C. § 114 C. 49 U. S.C. § 44901 D. 49 U. S.C. § 44903 E. 49 U. S.C. § 44917 F. 49 CFR Chapter XII, Parts 1500-1699 G. Prohibited Items Interpretive Rule, 70 Federal Register 72930 (December 8, 2005) 4. DEFINITIONS: For purposes of this directive, the following definitions apply: A. Administrative Search: A search conducted without a warrant as part ofa regulatory plan in furtherance of a specified non-law enforcement government purpose, such as to determine compliance with TSA regulations or to prevent the carriage of threat items or entry of an unauthorized person into the sterile area, or to screen passengers entering any public conveyance. B. Accessible Property: Property that is intended to be accessible to the individual in any secure area or while aboard any public conveyance. C. Behavior Detection Officers (BDOs) : Specially-trained TSA personnel and TSA contract personnel who execute TSA's Screening of Passengers by Observation Technique (SPOT) program. D. Checkpoint Screening: A search or appraisal of individuals and property for threats or threat items at a screening checkpoint. E. Consent Search: A search by an authorized individual of a person, property, location, or vehicle based on permission by a person who has actual or apparent authority over the thing to be searched. F. Detection Technology: Electronic and/or mechanical means used to assist in the discovery and identification of property or persons that may pose a threat. G. Federal Air Marshal (FAM) : A TSA law enforcement officer who derives his or her authority from 49 U.S.C. § 114(p), 49 U.S.C. § 44903(d), 49 U.S.C. § 44917, and the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-53, 121 Stat. 266) . H. Gate Screening: The screening of passengers and other individuals and their accessible property at the boarding gate of an aircraft. I. Identification Media: Documents that establish identity for the purposes of accessing the screening checkpoint, or any other secure area of a transportation facility or mode of conveyance. Identification media includes, but is not limited to, Government-issued or Government-sanctioned photo identification, such as passports and dr

FAQs

What is the purpose of TSA Management Directive No. 100.4?

It establishes TSA policies to enhance security of domestic and international commercial travel by preventing, protecting against, and responding to acts of terrorism across all transportation modes.

To what searches and TSA personnel does the directive apply?

It applies to all TSA operational components and searches conducted under TSA authority, including checkpoint screening and other searches performed by TSA personnel using the directive in carrying out their functions.

How does the directive address nondiscrimination during searches?

All search operations must be conducted without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability, except as directed by the Federal Security Director or Supervisory Air Marshal in Charge based on specific intelligence threat information.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Himbo