Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the FAA pays for initial ATC training for entry-level ATC employees (FG-2152-01 Academy Trainee). This initial ATC training is provided at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Successful Academy trainees will receive additional training on-the-job at their facility.

The FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 required the agency to separate Track 1 applicants into multiple selection pools based upon educational background and veteran status. Pool 1 - Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) School graduates and Veteran’s with aviation experience. Pool 2 is all United States citizens; Veterans Preference is applied to both pools are required to balance selections between Pools.

The Air Traffic Organization (ATO) first considers for selection the qualified candidates who applied to a vacancy announcement for experienced candidates who are eligible for preferential consideration under 49 U.S.C. § 44506(f)(1)(A). These candidates must meet all qualifications requirements, successfully pass medical and security requirements. The ATO will then select from applicants referred for entry level positions, which will be from two pools of candidates as defined under 49 U.S.C. § 44506(f)(1)(B).  Candidates must meet all qualification, pre-employment testing, eligibility, and maximum age limitation requirements that apply, which may vary by pool or the applicant's previous ATC experience.  Candidates selected who successfully pass medical and security requirements are then assigned to the FAA Academy for initial ATC training.

Any applicant who applied for the vacancy announcement issued February 10, 2014, (FAA-AMC-14-ALLSRCE-33537), must re-apply for employment consideration.

If you apply to a vacancy announcement prior to December 31, 2017, and can answer yes to ALL of the following four questions, you are eligible for a waiver of the maximum entry age of 31:

1. Did you apply for the 2014 Air Traffic Controller vacancy (FAA-AMC-14-ALLSRCE-33537)? 
2. Were you disqualified for the 2014 Air Traffic Controller vacancy by the Biographical Assessment? 
3. Did you meet the age requirement at the time of your 2014 application? 
4. Does one of the following apply to you: I graduated from a CTI school after completing air traffic controller training and I am providing a recommendation or written statement from the institution; OR I am eligible for a veterans recruitment appointment and can provide a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty within 120 days of the announcement closing; OR I am an eligible veteran (as defined in section 4211 of title 38) maintaining aviation experience obtained in the course of my military experience; OR I am a preference eligible veteran (5 USC 2108); OR I am maintaining 52 consecutive weeks of air traffic controller experience after receiving an air traffic certification or air traffic control facility rating within five years of application.

You may apply under any entry-level vacancy announcement that contains a requirement for General Experience and/or Education and answer questions to self-certify that you have completed air traffic controller training and are a CTI graduate with the required recommendation or written statement that makes you eligible for Pool 1. When you apply, you will need to upload the required documentation to support your answers that you are CTI graduate and have the required recommendation.

Yes, in 2018 the Biographical Assessment was removed as a screening tool requiring all applicants to take the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA). All No Experience qualified candidates are required to take the ATSA as a pre-employment screening test. 

Yes, in 2018 the Biographical Assessment was removed as a screening tool requiring all applicants to take the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA). All No Experience qualified candidates are required to take the ATSA as a pre-employment screening test. 

Applicants to air traffic controller positions who are maintaining 52 weeks of ATC experience involving the full-time active separation of air traffic after receiving an air traffic certification or ATC facility rating, must be below age 35 on closing date of the announcement. Certain former air traffic controllers are not subject to age requirements, if the age requirement was met on their original appointment.

Applicants applying to an ATCS Trainee announcement must be age 30 or under (must not have reached 31st birthday) as of the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

Applicants who do not have at least 52 weeks of ATC experience must be age 31 or below, as of the closing date of the vacancy announcement, unless they are among those eligible unsuccessful applicants to the 2014 ATCS vacancy announcement who were disqualified by the biographical assessment.

Pre-employment testing is not required if the applicant is applying to a specialized experience vacancy (experienced ATCs).  However, if these experienced applicants apply for an entry-level vacancy announcement, they will have to take the ATSA.

In 2018 the Biographical Assessment was removed as a screening tool requiring all no experience applicants to take the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA). All No Experience qualified candidates are required to take the ATSA as a pre-employment screening test. 

The FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 required the agency to separate Track 1 applicants into multiple selection pools based upon educational background and veteran status. Pool 1 - Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) School graduates and Veteran’s with aviation experience. Pool 2 is all United States citizens; Veterans Preference is applied to both pools are required to balance selections between Pools. All qualified candidates are required to take the ATSA.

Experience working as an air traffic controller (ATC) that involved the full-time active separation of air traffic after receiving an air traffic certification or ATC facility rating. The experience must be acquired while serving at one of the following: A FAA air traffic control facility; A civilian or military air traffic control facility of the Department of Defense (DoD); A tower operating under contract with the FAA under 49 U.S.C. § 47124.

Preferential consideration is the process whereby the FAA, based on its annual hiring targets, refers experienced applicants as defined by 49 USC §44506(f)(1)(A) for appointment before considering entry-level applicants. Preferential consideration applies to experienced candidates who are maintaining 52 consecutive weeks of air traffic controller (ATC) experience involving the full-time active separation of air traffic after receipt of an air traffic certification or air traffic control facility rating within five years of application.

One of four types of applicants eligible for Pool 1 defined by 49 USC §44506(f)(1)(B) that includes individuals who have successfully completed air traffic controller training and graduated from an institution participating in a CTI program maintained under title 49 U.S.C. § 44506(c)(1) and who have received one of the following from the institution:  

• An appropriate recommendation; or
• A written statement certifying that the individual would have met the requirements in effect as of December 31, 2013, for an appropriate recommendation