Yes, the FAA pays for initial ATC training for entry-level ATC employees (FG-2152-03 Academy Training). ATCS Trainees attend an AT Basics course virtually from their home locations and receive an hourly salary.  Upon successful completion of AT Basics, ATCS Trainees attend additional training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  While in Oklahoma City, ATCS Trainees receive an hourly salary and are also entitled to long term per diem (unless their home location is within a 50 mile radius of the FAA Academy).

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, and 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.

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.

To be eligible for Pool 1 as a CTI graduate, CTI school official/unofficial transcripts with degree confer date, and appropriate CTI recommendation letter, must be submitted prior to the close date of the vacancy announcement.  The degree confer date must be prior to the announcement close date.  

An appropriate CTI recommendation letter is not a personal recommendation.  This letter must be on official CTI school letter head, signed by the designated CTI point of contact, and certify/endorse that all CTI program requirements have been met (or would have been met effective as of 12/31/13).

All applicants that apply to and meet the minimum qualifications for our ATCS Trainee announcements, must take and pass the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (AT-SA) Exam, to be referred for hiring consideration, regardless of Pool.

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 age 35 or below 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.

Candidates applying to an ATCS Trainee announcement must be age 30 or below, cannot be age 31 as of the closing date of the vacancy.

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

To be eligible for Pool 1 as a CTI graduate, CTI school official/unofficial transcripts with degree confer date, and appropriate CTI recommendation letter, must be submitted prior to the close date of the vacancy announcement.  The degree confer date must be prior to the announcement close date.  

An appropriate CTI recommendation letter is not a personal recommendation.  This letter must be on official CTI school letter head, signed by the designated CTI point of contact, and certify/endorse that all CTI program requirements have been met (or would have been met effective as of 12/31/13).