What is the FAA Screening Process like?
Once your application has been accepted by the FAA and you get through the initial selection phase, you must pass certain
requirements in order to become hired. If you cannot pass any portion of the screening, you cannot become an air
traffic controller. If you fail certain portions, you may appeal the decision. If you successfully complete
this process you will be eligible for employment. You can complete the screening process all in one day at the PEPC
or you can do it on your own over the course of a few weeks. It can be done in many different orders. Below
explains the traditional process as the PEPC is done all at one location.
-
Fingerprint: You must take a fingerprint card to a local law enforcement agent and have them complete
the card and fingerprint you.
-
Background Check: You must complete an in-depth background check prior to being selected. Areas
the background check will investigate are: General or dishonorable military discharge, statutory debarment issues,
government loyalty issues, evidence of dishonesty in an application or examination process, drug-related offenses, felony
offenses, firearms or explosives offenses, alcohol-related incidents, willful disregard of financial obligations,
derogatory employment terminations, patterns and/or combinations of incidents which lead to questions about your behavior
and intent. You should spend some time and fill out Standard Form 86 (SF-86) ahead of time. This will make it
easier to complete the online form all in one sitting. To print out the form, click here and look for SF 86: FAA Employment Forms
-
Drug Test: Each potential employee must take and pass a drug test at least six months prior to their
hire date. If an applicant takes a drug test initially and then 7 months passes before they are hired, the candidate
must take and pass another drug test.
-
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI): The FAA requires that you successfully complete
the MMPI test prior to selection. This test is administered at a nearby FAA facility and takes approximately two
hours to complete. More Information on the MMPI
-
Interview: You must complete an interview at a local FAA facility, given by a manager.
StuckMic FAA Interview
Guide
-
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.
