Job Offers & Accepting a Position

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Questions about Job Offers & Accepting a Position

Are all applicants who have met the eligibility requirements and qualifications for an air traffic controller guaranteed employment with FAA?

No. The FAA cannot guarantee employment of all qualified applicants.

How does FAA consider candidates for air traffic controller positions?

After FAA determines that candidates have successfully met all eligibility and qualification requirements we put the names of those eligible candidates on a referral list, and rank them into groups.

What is a referral list and how are candidates ranked?

A referral list contains eligible candidates from which tentative job selections are made. In most cases, candidates are divided in "qualified" and "well-qualified" groups. Veterans may be selected over both of these groups.

What determines a qualified and well-qualified candidate?

Applicants who have achieved a score of 70-84.9 on the FAA pre-employment exam are considered qualified. Well-qualified applicants have achieved a score of 85 and above. Candidates who are not required to take the pre-employment exam are placed in a qualified or well qualified group based on established criteria that assesses their knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the position.

What if I am referred on a list of eligible candidates but not selected?

You may be considered for future employment until you are no longer eligible, e.g., you have reached age 31.

If selected for a position, where will I be assigned to work?

We will consider your geographic preferences when we assign you to a facility, but we must also consider that our facilities most in need must be staffed. Our first priority is to insure the safety of the National Airspace System.

If I decline a position, will I receive future consideration for an ATC job?

Yes. You may be considered for future employment by reapplying to other air traffic controller vacancy announcements until you are no longer eligible, e.g., you have reached age 31. In some cases, you are not required to reapply.