NAV CANADA does not promise a fixed time from an air traffic controller application to an offer. It publishes approximate test durations, regional windows for invitation-only testing, and separate eligibility requirements. The official Air Traffic Control Selection and Training guide says a successful assessment does not guarantee the next invitation.
Checked November 7, 2026. Testing windows below can change; your actual invitation and the official careers calendar supersede this snapshot.
November and December 2026: published test windows
At the time of this review, the NAV CANADA careers calendar listed the following in-person computer-based ATC testing periods, by invitation only:
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| Public window | Locations listed | What it establishes |
|---|---|---|
| November 1-30, 2026 | Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Moncton, Gander | Regional testing window; invitation required |
| December 1-31, 2026 | Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal | Regional testing window; invitation required |
An event listing is not a vacancy or a personal appointment. The previously listed October 2026 dates have passed. The source retrieved on November 7 placed Montreal in December, not in the November list; the calendar is dynamic, so recheck it before planning travel. A city omission from this snapshot does not prove that no testing can ever occur there.
For actual roles and opening dates, use NAV CANADA’s current careers listings and Workday. Neither an old search snippet nor a testing event confirms a recruitment round is open.
Published durations by selection stage
NAV CANADA distinguishes the length of an assessment from the gap between invitations.
| Stage | Approximate duration | Important boundary |
|---|---|---|
| Online assessment | About 30 minutes, timed and remote | Invitation deadline is individual |
| Regional in-person test | One full day, about six hours | Travel and check-in are extra |
| Pre-screening interview | 15 minutes, on the same day after successful cognitive testing | Not offered automatically to every test attendee |
| Assessment centre | Separate half-day session | Group and individual exercises plus interview |
| Phone language testing, if needed | No universal call duration published | Third-party check, separate from the centre |
For stages and preparation, see the online assessment, in-person cognitive test, 15-minute pre-screening interview and assessment centre.
Three different timing rules that must not be mixed up
The official controller careers eligibility page requires applicants to be available to begin full-time training within 18 months of application. This is an availability condition, not an estimate of when a job offer will arrive.
NAV CANADA’s Careers in Aviation page describes up to 36 months of activity before an ATS application expires. This concerns the application, not guaranteed score validity, a training start or a commitment to employ someone for three years.
The one-, two- and three-year waiting periods apply separately to candidates unsuccessful at the online assessment, in-person test or assessment centre, measured from the relevant assessment date. These are eligibility-to-reapply rules, not normal gaps between stages. See retake policy and results.
Why the full recruitment duration varies
The official general job-seeker FAQ gives a two- to three-month target specifically for roles outside Air Traffic Services. It must not be advertised as an ATS or air traffic controller hiring promise.
For ATC, waiting periods can be influenced by regional test availability, assessment results, third-party language checks, operational needs, security clearance, medical certification and course scheduling. NAV CANADA does not publish a universal number of days between each stage.
Check your Workday candidate account and personal email. Silence or an unchanged dashboard alone does not establish a pass or fail. See the dedicated results guide.
Two free timing examples (not employer test questions)
These are original educational examples illustrating how to read a timeline. They are not official NAV CANADA assessments or guaranteed dates.
Example 1 - A test duration is not a notification date
A fictional candidate is invited to a test that takes approximately 30 minutes. The hypothetical test begins at 09:15. If it runs for exactly 30 minutes in this example, what is its end time?
Show the illustrative end time
09:45. The arithmetic concerns a sample test block, not the deadline in a real invitation or how long the employer needs to issue results.
Example 2 - A regional window is not a booked slot
The public calendar lists testing from December 1-31 in a region. A fictional candidate has not received an invitation. Can they assume a test appointment on December 1?
Show why the appointment is not guaranteed
No. The calendar shows a regional invitation-only window, not a personal appointment. A specific invitation with a date and location is required.
What to do before you receive an invitation
Keep contact details current, read Workday and personal-email messages, and arrange time and travel only after receiving your own schedule. Do not resign or relocate based on a calendar listing.
For selected applicants, NAV CANADA requires relevant medical/licensing, security and drug-testing conditions before employment; see our medical requirements and security check guides. Passing assessment stages does not guarantee a job offer.
There are no direct paid-preparation or merchant links on this timetable page. Optional practice belongs in the free-first NAV CANADA preparation guide.
Primary references and independence
- NAV CANADA - Careers Calendar: time-sensitive event windows verified November 7, 2026; invitation-only events.
- NAV CANADA - Air Traffic Control Selection and Training: stages, durations, progression and selection.
- NAV CANADA - Air Traffic Controller: 18-month full-time training availability, medical/security conditions.
- NAV CANADA - Careers in Aviation: Workday and general application-active period.
- NAV CANADA - FAQ for Job Seekers: two-three months explicitly concerns non-ATS roles.
Editorial independence: This website does not administer NAV CANADA assessments or have access to a candidate’s scheduled appointment. Always verify current employer information.