Air Traffic Controllers
Special Requirements
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Educational Requirements:
To become an air traffic controller, a person must enroll in an FAA-approved education program and pass a pre-employment test that measures his or her ability to learn the controller’s duties in order to qualify for job openings in the air traffic control system. Exceptions are air traffic controllers with prior experience and military veterans. The pre-employment test is currently offered only to students in the FAA Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) Program or the Minneapolis Community & Technical College, Air Traffic Control Training Program.
Upon successful completion of an FAA-approved program, individuals who receive school recommendation and who meet the basic qualification requirements, including age limit and achievement of a qualifying score on the FAA authorized pre-employment test, become eligible for employment as an air traffic controller. Candidates also must pass a medical exam, drug screening, and security clearance before they can be hired.
Upon selection, employees attend the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City for 12 weeks of training, during which they learn the fundamentals of the airway system, FAA regulations, controller equipment, and aircraft performance characteristics, as well as more specialized tasks.
Experience:
Applicants must have 3 years of full-time work experience or 4 years of college, or a combination of both. In combining education and experience, 1 year of undergraduate study (30 semester or 45 quarter hours) is equivalent to 9 months of work experience. After graduation, it takes several years of progressively more responsible work experience, interspersed with considerable classroom instruction and independent study, to become a fully qualified controller. Controllers who fail to complete either the academy or the on-the-job portion of the training usually are dismissed.
Other Requirements:
Generally, unless a different minimum entry age is contained in the standard or examination announcement for a particular position, applicants for any position in the competitive service must be (1) at least 18 years old, or (2) at least 16 years old and:
   •  Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or
   •  Have completed a formal vocational training program; or
   •  Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or
   •  Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.
A maximum age of 30 years is established for entry into civilian air traffic control positions in the Federal Aviation Administration whose duties require that the employees be actively engaged in the separation and control of air traffic. The maximum age you can retain the position is 56 years of age. Exemptions occur if the air traffic controller reaches age 56 and has not yet completed the required 20 years service under the special provisions, the air traffic controller may continue employment until the last day of the month in which 20 years of service is completed. This exemption was made retroactive to January 1, 2003. The Secretary, under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, may exempt a controller having exceptional skills and experience as a controller from the automatic separation provisions until the controller becomes 61 years of age.
Controllers must pass a physical examination each year and a job performance examination twice each year. Failure to become certified in any position at a facility within a specified time also may result in dismissal. Controllers also are subject to drug screening as a condition of continuing employment.
Air traffic controllers must be articulate, because pilots must be given directions quickly and clearly. Intelligence and a good memory also are important because controllers constantly receive information that they must immediately grasp, interpret, and remember. Decisiveness also is required because controllers often have to make quick decisions. The ability to concentrate is crucial because controllers must make these decisions in the midst of noise and other distractions.
Applicant must successfully complete an interview that demonstrates the ability to read, write, and understand the English language and speak it rapidly without accent or impediment of speech that would interfere with two-way radio conversation.
MEDICAL EXAMINATION
Individuals must pass a rigid medical exam, which includes:
Vision Standards — Applicants for ATCS employment in an en route center or a terminal must have distant and near vision of 20/20 or better in each eye separately, without correction, or have lenses that correct distant and near vision to 20/20, each eye separately. Applicants for a flight service station specialist position must have distant and near vision of 20/20 or better in at least one eye, without correction, or have lenses that correct distant and near vision to 20/20, in at least one eye.
To become an air traffic controller, a person must enroll in an FAA-approved education program and pass a pre-employment test that measures his or her ability to learn the controller’s duties in order to qualify for job openings in the air traffic control system. Exceptions are air traffic controllers with prior experience and military veterans. The pre-employment test is currently offered only to students in the FAA Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) Program or the Minneapolis Community & Technical College, Air Traffic Control Training Program.
Upon successful completion of an FAA-approved program, individuals who receive school recommendation and who meet the basic qualification requirements, including age limit and achievement of a qualifying score on the FAA authorized pre-employment test, become eligible for employment as an air traffic controller. Candidates also must pass a medical exam, drug screening, and security clearance before they can be hired.
Upon selection, employees attend the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City for 12 weeks of training, during which they learn the fundamentals of the airway system, FAA regulations, controller equipment, and aircraft performance characteristics, as well as more specialized tasks.
Experience:
Applicants must have 3 years of full-time work experience or 4 years of college, or a combination of both. In combining education and experience, 1 year of undergraduate study (30 semester or 45 quarter hours) is equivalent to 9 months of work experience. After graduation, it takes several years of progressively more responsible work experience, interspersed with considerable classroom instruction and independent study, to become a fully qualified controller. Controllers who fail to complete either the academy or the on-the-job portion of the training usually are dismissed.
Other Requirements:
Generally, unless a different minimum entry age is contained in the standard or examination announcement for a particular position, applicants for any position in the competitive service must be (1) at least 18 years old, or (2) at least 16 years old and:
   •  Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or
   •  Have completed a formal vocational training program; or
   •  Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or
   •  Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.
A maximum age of 30 years is established for entry into civilian air traffic control positions in the Federal Aviation Administration whose duties require that the employees be actively engaged in the separation and control of air traffic. The maximum age you can retain the position is 56 years of age. Exemptions occur if the air traffic controller reaches age 56 and has not yet completed the required 20 years service under the special provisions, the air traffic controller may continue employment until the last day of the month in which 20 years of service is completed. This exemption was made retroactive to January 1, 2003. The Secretary, under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, may exempt a controller having exceptional skills and experience as a controller from the automatic separation provisions until the controller becomes 61 years of age.
Controllers must pass a physical examination each year and a job performance examination twice each year. Failure to become certified in any position at a facility within a specified time also may result in dismissal. Controllers also are subject to drug screening as a condition of continuing employment.
Air traffic controllers must be articulate, because pilots must be given directions quickly and clearly. Intelligence and a good memory also are important because controllers constantly receive information that they must immediately grasp, interpret, and remember. Decisiveness also is required because controllers often have to make quick decisions. The ability to concentrate is crucial because controllers must make these decisions in the midst of noise and other distractions.
Applicant must successfully complete an interview that demonstrates the ability to read, write, and understand the English language and speak it rapidly without accent or impediment of speech that would interfere with two-way radio conversation.
MEDICAL EXAMINATION
Individuals must pass a rigid medical exam, which includes:
Vision Standards — Applicants for ATCS employment in an en route center or a terminal must have distant and near vision of 20/20 or better in each eye separately, without correction, or have lenses that correct distant and near vision to 20/20, each eye separately. Applicants for a flight service station specialist position must have distant and near vision of 20/20 or better in at least one eye, without correction, or have lenses that correct distant and near vision to 20/20, in at least one eye.
-  Color Vision Standards — Applicants must have normal color vision.
- Hearing Standards — Applicants must have no hearing loss in either ear of more than 25 db at 500, 1,000 and 2,000 Hz, and no more than a 20 db loss in the better ear by audiometer, using ANSI (1969) standards.
- Cardiovascular Standards — Applicants must have no medical history of any form of heart disease. A history of high blood pressure requiring medication will require special review.
- Neurological Standards — Applicants must have no medical history or clinical diagnosis of a convulsive disorder, or a disturbance of consciousness, without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause, and must not be under any treatment, including preventive, for any condition of the nervous system.
- Psychiatric Standard — Any medical history or clinical diagnosis of a psychosis, or other severe mental disorders, is disqualifying.
- Diabetes — A medical history or diagnosis of diabetes mellitus will require special review.
- Substance Abuse/Dependency — A history of substance abuse/dependency, including alcohol, narcotic, non-narcotic drugs, and other substances will be extensively investigated.
- Psychological Exam — Individuals must take and pass a psychological exam.
- General Medical — All other medical conditions will be evaluated on an individual basis. All applicants' medical histories and current examinations will be carefully reviewed. This includes past medical records and, if applicable, a review of military medical records.
SUITABILITY DETERMINATION
Suitability adjudications will be made in accordance with applicable agency guidance.
SECURITY INVESTIGATION
Individuals must pass a rigid security/background investigation. The following are types of issues, which are reviewed as part of the background/security check:Â
•  general or dishonorable military discharge
   •  statutory debarment issue
   •  government loyalty issuesÂ
   •   evidence of dishonesty in an application or examination process (e.g., falsification of application)Â
   •  drug-related offensesÂ
   •  felony offenses
   •  firearms or explosives offensesÂ
   •  alcohol - related incidentsÂ
   •  willful disregard of financial obligationsÂ
   •  derogatory employment terminationsÂ
   •  patterns and/or combinations of incidents which lead to questions about your behavior and intent
Required Fees:
- To replace a lost or destroyed license or (certificate):
You can request a replacement certificate online. This method requires that you register with Online Services.
- Or you can mail us an Application for Replacement of Lost, Destroyed, or Paper Airman Certificate (PDF) form or a signed, written request stating your name, date and place of birth, social security number and/or certificate number, and the reason you need a replacement.
You must include a check or money order for $2 (U.S. funds), made payable to FAA, for each certificate you request.
You can mail your request to:
Federal Aviation Administration
Airmen Certification Branch, AFS-760
P.O. Box 25082
Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0082
You can mail your request to:
Federal Aviation Administration
Airmen Certification Branch, AFS-760
P.O. Box 25082
Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0082
Please visit the FAA’s Airmen Certification website at: http://registry.faa.gov/airmen.asp#ReplacementofCertificates
: For further questions about the Civil Aviation Registry please visit the Federal Aviation Administration site
For More Information, Contact:
Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20591
Phone: 405.954.0250
TTY: 202.755.7687
http://www.faa.gov/
Aviation Careers Division
AMH-300 Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center
P.O. Box 26650
Oklahoma City, OK 73126-4934
Phone: 405.954.4657
http://www.natca.org/about.aspx?zone=About%20NATCA&pID=241#p241
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research. (Using onet291)
