What Happens After the ATSA?

After the ATSA, wait for official instructions

After taking the ATSA, or Air Traffic Skills Assessment, the most important thing to understand is simple: your next steps should come from official or authorized communications.

Candidates often leave the test wanting immediate answers. They want to know whether they passed, how competitive their result is, when they will hear back, and what happens next.

That is normal. But the FAA air traffic controller hiring process can involve multiple stages, and the timeline after the ATSA may vary.

Instead of relying on rumors, forums, or outdated candidate timelines, watch for official communication through the channels connected to your application.

The ATSA is one step in a broader hiring process

The ATSA is important, but it is not the entire hiring process.

Depending on the hiring announcement and your individual situation, the broader process may include:

• application review
• eligibility screening
• ATSA testing
• result review
• additional instructions
• medical evaluation
• security screening
• background investigation
• FAA Academy steps
• facility placement or training-related instructions

Not every candidate will experience the process in the same way or on the same timeline.

This is why it is risky to assume that another candidate’s timeline will match yours exactly.

How are ATSA results communicated?

Candidates should follow the official communication method used for their application.

That may involve email, an application portal, USAJOBS-related communications, FAA instructions, or authorized testing communications.

When you receive a result or status update, read the entire message carefully. Look for:

• your result category or status
• whether any action is required
• deadlines
• next-step instructions
• contact information
• documents to complete
• whether you should continue monitoring email or a portal
• whether there is a waiting period
• whether additional screening is mentioned

Do not skim the message and rely only on the first sentence. Important details may appear lower in the communication.

How long does it take to hear back after the ATSA?

There is no single timeline that independent websites can responsibly promise.

Some candidates may hear back sooner than others. Timing can depend on the hiring announcement, applicant volume, processing needs, internal review, and current FAA hiring priorities.

Online candidate reports can give a general sense that waiting is common, but they should not be treated as a schedule.

If official instructions give you a timeline, follow that. If they do not, continue monitoring the required communication channels and avoid making assumptions based only on other people’s experiences.

What if you receive a strong ATSA result?

A strong ATSA result can be encouraging, but it does not automatically mean the hiring process is complete.

You may still need to complete additional steps, such as:

• eligibility verification
• medical review
• security clearance steps
• background checks
• administrative documents
• training-related steps
• FAA Academy requirements

Treat a strong result as progress, not a final job offer.

You should continue to read official instructions carefully and respond to any requested actions on time.

What if your ATSA result is lower than expected?

If your result is lower than you hoped, do not panic before reading the official communication fully.

Look for whether the message explains:

• your current status
• whether you remain eligible for any next steps
• whether you can apply again in the future
• whether retesting is possible under a later process
• whether any waiting period applies
• whether the decision is final for that announcement

Avoid relying on online interpretations unless they are clearly supported by current official instructions.

If you are able to apply again in the future, use the experience to identify what felt difficult during the test. Was it timing, memory, spatial reasoning, multitasking, fatigue, anxiety, or unfamiliar instructions?

That reflection can help you prepare more effectively next time.

What if you do not hear back quickly?

Waiting after the ATSA can be frustrating. However, a delay does not automatically mean a bad result.

Processing timelines can vary, and candidates may hear back at different times.

While waiting:

• monitor the email address used in your application
• check spam or junk folders
• monitor any official portal if instructed
• avoid relying on unofficial timelines
• keep copies of important communications
• do not miss deadlines if a message arrives
• avoid repeatedly making assumptions from forum posts

If official communications provide a contact process or support route, use that process rather than guessing.

What next steps may happen after the ATSA?

The exact next steps depend on your application and official instructions. However, candidates commonly research several possible post-ATSA stages.

Eligibility review

Your application may still need to be reviewed against eligibility requirements, hiring announcement criteria, or administrative requirements.

Eligibility can involve factors such as age, citizenship, education, work experience, application completeness, and other criteria listed in the official announcement.

Medical evaluation

Air traffic control is safety-sensitive work, so medical requirements may be part of the broader hiring path.

Do not rely on general internet answers for medical eligibility. Medical standards and case-specific decisions should be confirmed through official channels.

Security and background checks

Candidates may need to complete security-related steps, background investigation forms, fingerprinting, or other screening requirements.

These steps can take time and may involve detailed instructions. Follow them carefully.

FAA Academy or training steps

If a candidate continues through the process, training-related steps may become relevant. The FAA Academy and later training stages are separate from ATSA preparation.

The ATSA does not replace training. It is part of selection, not the full professional development process.

Does passing the ATSA guarantee hiring?

No. Candidates should not treat the ATSA as a guaranteed hiring decision by itself.

The ATSA may be an important factor, but the hiring process can involve additional requirements and stages.

A strong result can help move a candidate forward, but it does not remove the need to satisfy all other official requirements.

Can you retake the ATSA?

Retake rules should be confirmed through official instructions.

Do not assume that older forum posts or past candidate experiences still apply. Retesting rules, waiting periods, and eligibility for future hiring announcements may depend on current FAA policy and the specific announcement.

If you receive a result and want to know whether you can retake the ATSA, look for official guidance first.

What should you do immediately after the ATSA?

After your test, take these practical steps:

1. Save any confirmation or test-related documentation you received.
2. Monitor the official communication channels connected to your application.
3. Check spam and junk folders regularly.
4. Keep your contact information current where applicable.
5. Avoid making decisions based only on unofficial timelines.
6. Read any result or status communication carefully.
7. Respond to official requests before deadlines.
8. Keep preparing for possible next steps, but do not assume an outcome.

How to use your ATSA experience productively

Whether you feel confident or uncertain, write down what you remember about your test experience immediately afterward.

Do not attempt to share or reproduce proprietary test content. Instead, reflect on your own performance:

• Did timing feel difficult?
• Did you understand instructions quickly?
• Did you stay calm under pressure?
• Which task types felt hardest?
• Did fatigue affect you?
• Did you overthink any sections?
• Were you surprised by the test environment?
• Did you manage breaks and logistics well?

This reflection can help if you need future preparation or if you want to better understand your strengths and weaknesses.

What not to do after the ATSA

Avoid these common mistakes:

• assuming silence means failure
• relying on one forum thread for your timeline
• ignoring spam or junk folders
• missing official deadlines
• treating a strong result as a final job offer
• treating a lower result as the end of your career path before reading instructions
• sharing proprietary test content online
• buying prep products that promise guaranteed hiring
• contacting unofficial sources for official answers
• failing to keep copies of important communications

How this connects to FAA hiring

The ATSA sits inside a larger hiring pathway. If you are trying to understand the full process, do not stop with ATSA-only information.

Useful next pages:

• FAA hiring process overview
• FAA ATC requirements
• What is a good ATSA score?
• How to prepare for the ATSA

Understanding the broader process can help you interpret ATSA-related communications more calmly.

Bottom line

After the ATSA, your next step is to wait for and follow official instructions. Your result may influence whether you continue in the FAA air traffic controller hiring process, but the ATSA is only one part of a broader pathway.

Monitor the correct communication channels, read every official message carefully, avoid relying on unofficial timelines, and continue preparing responsibly for any next steps that may apply.

Preparation resources

Free resources are a good starting point if you are still learning the format. If you add paid material later, compare calmly and read refund rules on the publisher’s site.

If your research widens beyond the FAA pathway, these third-party catalogs may still be worth a quick skim (none are official FAA, Pearson VUE, or USAJOBS materials): FEAST-style practice content, NAV CANADA–oriented prep, and notes aimed at later FEAST stages. Publisher: JobTestPrep.

You can also compare paid products using our independent guide: Best ATSA Practice Tests.

Frequently asked questions