# FAA ATC Requirements: 7 Eligibility Rules > FAA ATC requirements include U.S. citizenship, under age 31, one year of work or a bachelor's degree, ATSA, English, medical and security clearance. Canonical: https://www.atcpracticetest.com/faa/requirements/ Site guide: https://www.atcpracticetest.com/llms.txt The FAA currently lists **seven baseline qualifications** for entry-level air traffic controller applicants: U.S. citizenship, being **under 31 at application**, medical clearance, security clearance, passing pre-employment testing including the **ATSA**, clear spoken English, and qualifying education/work experience. See the [official FAA Air Traffic Controller Qualifications page](https://www.faa.gov/air-traffic-controller-qualifications). For education or experience, the FAA currently accepts **one year of progressively responsible work experience, a bachelor’s degree, or a qualifying combination of post-secondary education and work experience totaling one year**. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee selection, Academy completion or certification. > **Independent site notice:** [ATCPracticeTest.com](https://www.atcpracticetest.com/) is not affiliated with the FAA, USAJOBS, Pearson VUE, or the U.S. Department of Transportation. ## FAA ATC requirements at a glance The FAA lists these minimum qualifications for air traffic controller applicants: - U.S. citizenship; - under age 31; - medical examination; - security investigation; - FAA pre-employment testing, including the ATSA; - clear spoken English over communications equipment; - one year of progressively responsible work experience, a bachelor’s degree, or a qualifying combination of post-secondary education and work experience. These are minimum requirements. Meeting them does not guarantee selection, Academy success, facility placement, or certification. ## U.S. citizenship FAA air traffic controller applicants must be United States citizens. This is a threshold requirement for FAA controller positions. If you are interested in air traffic control outside the United States, explore the relevant national provider instead. For example, candidates in Canada should review our [NAV CANADA assessment guide](/nav-canada/online-assessment/). ## Age requirement For the standard entry-level pathway, the FAA’s current hiring page states that applicants must be **under 31 years of age at application**. Specialized prior-experience pathways can use different rules, so the active vacancy announcement controls. For the detailed age rules and exceptions, use the dedicated [FAA age limit guide](/faa/age-limit/). ## Education or work experience The FAA describes the basic education/work threshold as one year of progressively responsible work experience, a bachelor’s degree, or a combination of post-secondary education and work experience totaling one year. This requirement is broader than many candidates expect. The degree does not necessarily have to be an aviation degree for a general entry-level announcement, but the exact language of the announcement controls. Work experience should be described clearly in your federal resume. Include responsibilities that show reliability, judgment, communication, prioritization, and problem-solving. Do not use vague job titles as a substitute for describing what you actually did. ## English fluency Controllers must speak English clearly enough to be understood over communications equipment. This is not a minor requirement. Air traffic control depends on fast, precise, standardized communication between pilots and controllers. Candidates should be comfortable speaking clearly under pressure, listening accurately, and avoiding ambiguous wording. ## ATSA testing requirement The Air Traffic Skills Assessment, or ATSA, is a major part of the FAA entry-level selection process. The FAA describes the ATSA as a computer-based test of cognitive skills. The ATSA may assess areas such as: - memory; - attention control; - multitasking; - spatial reasoning; - logical reasoning; - decision-making speed; - personality and work-style fit. The ATSA is not the same as learning air traffic control procedures. It is an aptitude and selection test. Candidates should prepare by understanding the format and practicing similar cognitive tasks rather than trying to memorize aviation facts. Useful preparation pages: - [ATSA practice test](/atsa/practice-test/) - [ATSA test questions](/atsa/practice-questions/) - [ATSA memory test](/atsa/memory-test-explained/) - [ATSA collision simulation](/atsa/collision-simulation-explained/) - [Best ATSA practice tests](/reviews/best-atsa-practice-tests/) ## Medical requirements FAA controller candidates must pass a medical examination. The FAA explains that candidates must be physically and mentally fit and able to perform essential duties without risk to themselves or others. The FAA references standards involving vision, hearing, cardiovascular health, neurological health, and psychiatric health. For example, applicants must meet vision and color-vision requirements. Medical details can be nuanced. Do not self-disqualify based only on a third-party article, but also do not assume a condition will be ignored. Use official FAA instructions and disclose information honestly during the process. For a career-wide overview, read our [ATC career hub](/career/). ## Security investigation FAA controller applicants must pass a security investigation. This can include identity verification, background review, fingerprinting, and other federal suitability checks. Security screening is separate from aptitude. A candidate can perform well on cognitive testing but still be delayed or removed if they do not complete security requirements or if disqualifying issues arise. ## Drug testing and psychological evaluation The FAA hiring process may include drug testing and psychological evaluation. Air traffic control is safety-sensitive work, so candidates should expect strict standards and formal screening. Follow all official instructions closely. Missing appointments, failing to respond, or providing incomplete information can create avoidable problems. ## Physical and cognitive demands The formal requirements are only part of the picture. Successful candidates also need the capacity to train and work in a demanding operational environment. Air traffic control can involve: - rapid prioritization; - continuous attention; - precise communication; - shift work; - high accountability; - procedural discipline; - teamwork under pressure. This is why aptitude testing, Academy training, and on-the-job certification all matter. The hiring process is not only about eligibility; it is about whether a candidate can progress through training and perform safely. ## Do you need an aviation degree? Not necessarily for all entry-level FAA announcements. A bachelor’s degree, qualifying work experience, or a combination may satisfy the general education/work requirement, depending on the announcement. However, aviation education can still help some candidates understand the environment and terminology. It should not be treated as a substitute for meeting the exact application rules or preparing for the ATSA. ## Do you need prior air traffic control experience? For entry-level announcements, prior ATC experience is not always required. The FAA also posts prior-experience announcements at times, and those may have different eligibility rules. Read the announcement carefully. Entry-level, CTI, prior-experience, military, and direct-hire pathways should not be treated as identical. ## Enhanced AT-CTI and the ATSA The [FAA Controller Workforce Plan 2026-2028](/faa/controller-workforce-plan-2026-2028/) discusses Enhanced AT-CTI (Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative) as part of the FAA’s hiring pipeline. The plan states that graduates still must: - pass the ATSA; - be selected for employment by the FAA; and - meet medical and security requirements. Some Enhanced AT-CTI graduates may reach facility training sooner in certain cases, but collegiate status does not replace FAA selection steps. If you are in or considering an AT-CTI program, confirm how your school’s pathway maps to the current FAA announcement you plan to apply under. See [ATSA test prep](/atsa/test-prep/) and the [FAA hiring process](/faa/hiring-process/) for the full sequence. ## Next steps after checking eligibility This page is informational. For ATSA-specific preparation, use the ATSA cluster: - [What is the ATSA?](/atsa/what-is-the-atsa/) - [ATSA test format](/atsa/test-format/) - [ATSA preparation guide](/atsa/preparation/) - [ATSA practice questions](/atsa/practice-questions/) - [ATSA study guide](/atsa/study-guide/) For a broader career overview that also covers FEAST and NAV CANADA pathways, read [How to become an air traffic controller](/career/how-to-become-an-air-traffic-controller/). ## Bottom line FAA ATC requirements are clear but demanding. Before applying, confirm eligibility, prepare your federal resume, understand the ATSA, and use official FAA and USAJOBS pages as the final authority. Continue with: - [FAA hiring process](/faa/hiring-process/) - [FAA Controller Workforce Plan 2026-2028](/faa/controller-workforce-plan-2026-2028/) - [FAA age limit](/faa/age-limit/) - [FAA Academy training](/faa/training/) - [ATSA preparation](/atsa/preparation/) ## Sources - [FAA Controller Workforce Plan 2026-2028](/faa/controller-workforce-plan-2026-2028/) (ATC Practice Test summary; official PDF linked on that page). - [FAA: Air Traffic Controller Hiring](https://www.faa.gov/atc-hiring) - [FAA: Be ATC](https://www.faa.gov/be-atc) - [FAA: Air Traffic Controller Qualifications](https://www.faa.gov/air-traffic-controller-qualifications) ## Official eligibility resources Before applying, verify the current rules directly with: - [FAA Air Traffic Controller Qualifications](https://www.faa.gov/air-traffic-controller-qualifications) - [FAA Air Traffic Controller Hiring](https://www.faa.gov/atc-hiring) - [USAJOBS](https://www.usajobs.gov/) for the active vacancy announcement For the next steps on this site, use [FAA hiring process](/faa/hiring-process/), [FAA age limit](/faa/age-limit/), and [ATSA preparation](/atsa/preparation/).