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United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Air Traffic Controller Qualifications

Air Traffic Controllers

Every minute, every hour, every day, there are men and women working to ensure the safety and efficiency of our national airspace system.

This elite group of more than 14,000 FAA air traffic control specialists provide a vital public service to guide pilots, their planes and 2.7 million daily passengers from taxi to takeoff, through the air and back safely on the ground.

What does it take to become an Air Traffic Controller (ATC)?

Individuals must meet the following minimum qualifications in order to be eligible for an Air Traffic Controller position:

  • Be a United States citizen
  • Be under the age of 31
  • Pass a medical examination
  • Pass a security investigation
  • Pass the FAA air traffic pre-employment tests, including the Air Traffic Controller Specialists Skills Assessment Battery (ATSA)
  • Speak English clearly enough to be understood over communications equipment
  • Have three years of progressively responsible work experience, or a Bachelor's degree, or a combination of post-secondary education and work experience that totals three years

Less than 10% of all applicants meet these requirements and are accepted into the training program. 

Medical Requirements for Air Traffic Control Specialist Applicants and Employees

Air Traffic Controller candidates must have the capacity to perform the essential functions of these positions without risk to themselves or others. Candidates must be physically and mentally fit and meet standards for vision, hearing, cardiovascular, neurological and psychiatric health.

Applicants for initial employment to Air Traffic Control Specialist positions must meet the following requirements:

The physical impairments/medical conditions listed are disqualifying because there are medical and/or management reasons to conclude that an individual with such impairment/condition cannot perform the duties of the position without unacceptable risk to his or her own health, or to the health or safety of others (employees or the public). See specific requirements in FAA Order 3930.3C

Annual Medical Review
Air Traffic Controllers must requalify in an annual medical examination. Controllers incurring illness, injury, or incapacitation at any time between the annual examinations must be medically cleared before returning to air traffic control duty. For more information, see Individual Occupational Requirements of Air Traffic Control Series 2152.

Training requirements

Entry-level applicants must complete required training courses and spend several months at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. Applicants are paid while in training. After graduating the academy, individuals are placed in locations across the country and must gain 2-3 years additional training, both classroom and on-the-job experience, before becoming a certified professional controller. This rigorous training includes close supervision and evaluation by senior controllers that ensures controllers are competent, professional, know their airspace environment and can deal with the pressures and high pace of the job. 

Specific training requirements can be found in FAA Order JO 3120.4S

Training is an ongoing process. Every controller undergoes Proficiency Training to maintain the knowledge and skills necessary to remain a certified air traffic controller.

Last updated: Tuesday, February 4, 2025