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How to Become an Air Traffic Controller

If you are a U.S. citizen, there are three ways to become an air traffic controller:
Path 1: You have prior experience as an air traffic controller
Path 2: You have no prior air traffic control experience
Path 3: You want to enroll in an Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) Program

Path 1: You have prior experience as an air traffic controller
The FAA values and hires men and women who already have air traffic control experience. We hire three types of experienced controllers:

Veterans with military air traffic control experience
Retired military controllers
Current and prior civilian air traffic controllers
At a minimum, experienced controllers must have:

52 consecutive weeks of air traffic control experience in a military or civilian air traffic control facility that shows you have the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform air traffic controller duties
Comprehensive knowledge of air traffic control laws, rules, and regulations
Veterans with Military Air Traffic Control Experience
The FAA can use a Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) to hire veterans with military air traffic control experience. Some veterans with this experience can apply for a VRA appointment but they must be discharged from active duty or on terminal leave, and have not reached age 31. These types of veterans are eligible to apply for a VRA appointment:

Disabled veterans
Veterans separated from active duty within 3 years
Veterans who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during a war declared by Congress, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized
Veterans who, while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces, participated in a military operation for which the Armed Forces Service Medal was awarded
Retired Military Controllers
The FAA hires former military air traffic controllers who retired from the United States armed forces. Retired military air traffic controllers can apply if:

They are on terminal leave pending retirement from active duty military service, or
They retired from active duty on or after September 17, 1999
Current and Prior Civilian Air Traffic Controllers
The FAA hires current federal air traffic controllers or individuals previously employed as air traffic controllers. You can apply if you are eligible to be transferred from another agency to FAA or can be reinstated to an FAA air traffic controller position. Note: If your experience was as a civilian air traffic controller with the Department of Defense (DOD), you must have been hired for that job before you reached the age of 31


Path 2: You have no prior air traffic control experience
We invite the general public to apply for air traffic controller positions at various times during the year. You do not need prior air traffic control experience to apply. These positions are located in air traffic control facilities across the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam.

If I have no prior air traffic control experience and want to be selected, what must I do?

Be a United States citizen
In most cases, not have reached age 31
Pass a medical examination
Pass a security investigation
Have three years of progressively responsible work experience and/or a full four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, or some combination of the two
Achieve a score of at least 70 on the FAA pre-employment test
Speak English clearly enough to be understood over communications equipment
Complete an interview

Path 3: You want to enroll in an Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) Program
Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative Program
The FAA has partnerships with many colleges and universities. These schools offer two- and four-year non-engineering degrees that teach basic courses in air traffic control. We call this program the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program. The program is designed to provide qualified applicants to fill developmental air traffic control specialist positions.


If I am interested in the AT-CTI program and want to be an air traffic controller, what must I do?

Graduate from an FAA approved AT-CTI program
Receive an official school recommendation
Be a United States citizen
In most cases, not have reached age 31
Pass a medical examination
Pass a security investigation
Achieve a score of at least 70 on the FAA pre-employment test
Speak English clearly enough for others to understand you on communications equipment
Complete an interview
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ahr/jobs_careers/occupations/atc/ (http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ahr/jobs_careers/occupations/atc/)

What is the AT-CTI program?
The FAA has partnerships with many colleges and universities. These schools offer two- and four-year non-engineering degrees that teach basic courses in air traffic control. We call this program the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program. The program is designed to provide qualified applicants to fill developmental air traffic control specialist positions.

Graduates of the AT-CTI program are eligible to bypass the Air Traffic Basics Course, which is the first five weeks of qualification training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. Academy training consists of option-specific (terminal or en route) initial training. Students must successfully complete all required training at the FAA Academy to continue employment with FAA.

Length of Training

Initial Qualification Training for the terminal option is approximately 37 days
Initial Qualification Training for the en route option is approximately 62 days

If I am interested in the AT-CTI program and want to be an air traffic controller, what must I do?

Graduate from an FAA approved AT-CTI program
Receive an official school recommendation
Be a United States citizen
In most cases, not have reached age 31
Pass a medical examination
Pass a security investigation
Achieve a score of at least 70 on the FAA pre-employment test
Speak English clearly enough for others to understand you on communications equipment
Complete an interview

What schools have AT-CTI approved programs?
A number of schools across the country have approved programs. Here is a list of AT-CTI schools: http://www.flightschoollist.com/atc.htm (http://www.flightschoollist.com/atc.htm)

Does FAA provide tuition assistance for the AT-CTI program?
No. You must pay to attend an AT-CTI program. For tuition assistance, contact the financial aid office at the AT-CTI school you want to attend. They will tell you about financial aid programs, scholarships, and grants.

How does FAA track my status in the AT-CTI program?
The Aviation Careers Division maintains an inventory of students enrolled in the AT-CTI program provided by school officials, and of eligible AT-CTI graduates. The FAA uses the AT-CTI inventory to track information on applicant eligibility, graduation dates, school recommendation status, and for scheduling the pre-employment test.

How long can I stay in the AT-CTI inventory?
You can stay in the inventory for at least three years after you graduate from your AT-CTI program. The initial eligibility period is 3 years from your graduation date or your 31st birthday, if sooner. After that, you can stay in the inventory only if you apply each year for an extension.

Can I extend my eligibility in the AT-CTI inventory?
Yes. You may apply for a one-year extension after your three-year eligibility period expires or within 60 calendar days of expiration. You may continue to apply for one-year extensions until you reach age 31. You must contact the Aviation Careers Division to request an extension.

Why do I need a recommendation from my AT-CTI school?
An official school recommendation from your AT-CTI school tells us that you satisfied all academic requirements and that we can consider you for employment. If you do not get a school recommendation, then your name will be removed from the AT-CTI inventory.

Are AT-CTI graduates guaranteed employment with FAA?
No. The FAA hopes to employ all eligible AT-CTI graduates but cannot guarantee that all will be hired.

What if I am referred on a list of eligible candidates but not selected?
Your name will be returned to the AT-CTI inventory for future referral unless:

Your eligibility in the AT-CTI inventory expires
You reach age 31

If I decline a position, will I receive future consideration for an ATC job?
Yes, until your eligibility expires.
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ahr/jobs_careers/occupations/atc/at-cti/ (http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ahr/jobs_careers/occupations/atc/at-cti/)

After you apply for a position, you may need to take a pre-employment test called Air Traffic Selection and Training (AT-SAT). Some applicants must take this eight-hour, computer-based exam that will tell us your aptitude to become a successful air traffic controller.

Questions about Pre-Employment Testing

Do all job applicants applying for an air traffic controller position take the pre-employment test?
No. Only general public applicants and students enrolled in the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program are required to take the pre-employment test. Applicants with prior air traffic control experience do not need to take the test. The FAA will test as many applicants as possible to meet its hiring goals.

When do I take the pre-employment test?
Our goal is to test applicants as quickly as possible. This will generally occur about 4-8 weeks after a vacancy announcement closes.

How will I be notified to take the pre-employment test?
Our Aviation Careers Division will tell you that your name has been referred for testing. An FAA contractor will contact you to provide specific test scheduling information, including the date, time and location of your test.

Can I reschedule the date of my pre-employment test?
Our contractor will work with you to establish a firm date for you to take the test. However, if you do not appear on or reschedule before your test date, you may be considered for future tests.

Can I choose the location of my pre-employment test?
In most cases, you will be able to choose one of the pre-established test locations that is convenient to you. Test sites are typically located in major U.S. cities or near AT-CTI schools.

Does FAA pay for my pre-employment test?
Yes.

Does FAA pay for my pre-employment test travel expenses?
No. You must pay all your travel expenses to and from the pre-employment test site.

Does FAA provide any materials to prepare me for the test?
No.

What is a passing score on the pre-employment test?
To pass, you must score 70 or above on the pre-employment test.

Can I retake the pre-employment test if I want to improve my score?
Yes. No matter what your score, you may retake the test one year after the first time you took the test. Your second test score will always replace your first score.

How long is my pre-employment test score valid?
Pre-employment test scores are valid for three years.

Special Note for AT-CTI Air Traffic Controller Applicants
All AT-CTI students in good standing in their programs will be given the FAA pre-employment test
Normally, you will be tested six months prior to your graduation date
Your pre-employment test scores are valid for three years from your AT-CTI program graduation date
If you fail the pre-employment test two times, you may not retake the test under the AT-CTI program

Pay
FAA Air Traffic Controller jobs are rewarding and the pay is good.

Starting Pay for Air Traffic Controller Recruits
(excludes locality pay rates)

General Public *$17,046
AT-CTI Graduates *$17,046
Veterans Recruitment Appointment $33,100
Retired military controllers $33,100
Current or former Federal controllers $33,100

*Represents pay while completing entry level training at the FAA Academy. The pay increases to $33,100 after reporting to an assigned facility and continues to increase as each required developmental training phase is completed.

Pay for Fully Certified Air Traffic Controllers
We operate 24 hours per day, 7 days per week in different kinds of facilities in many locations. As a fully-certified air traffic controller, your pay will depend on when and where you work and the level of complexity in your facility. Whatever facility you work in, we offer some of the most competitive salaries in the Federal government.

Benefits
Air traffic controller recruits can earn annual and sick leave, and are eligible for a variety of federal benefits, including health insurance, life insurance, retirement benefits, as well as participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, which is similar to a 401(k). For more information about Federal employee benefits, visit https://www.opm.gov/insure/health/new_employees.asp (https://www.opm.gov/insure/health/new_employees.asp).

Training

At the FAA Academy
Air traffic controller recruits must complete various phases of training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to help them become full-fledged air traffic controllers. Depending on the specific class, the length of training can last from several weeks to several months. Students must pass the required training courses at the Academy to advance further in their air traffic controller career.

Academy students are reimbursed for meals, lodging, and incidental expenses at a rate of $79.20 per day. The FAA also pays for the cost of travel to and from Oklahoma City based on the student's official address.

Facility Training for Developmental Air Traffic Controllers
Students who pass the Academy training program are assigned to air traffic control facilities where their training continues in an operational environment. Training is conducted in stages and consists of a combination of classroom, simulation, and on-the-job training that leads to being a fully certified air traffic controller.

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.