How to apply

The FAA hires most new controllers through periodic vacancy announcements. The sequence below reflects the current process after the 2024 reforms. The active USAJOBS posting always governs.

1. Watch for an announcement

The FAA opens off-the-street bids on USAJOBS at irregular intervals, sometimes for only a few days. Announcements can close quickly, so the practical move is to have a USAJOBS profile and résumé ready before one opens.

2. Apply and meet basic eligibility

Standard entry requires U.S. citizenship, clear spoken English, and appointment before your 31st birthday. You apply through the posting and complete its required questionnaires.

3. Take the ATSA

Referred applicants are invited to take the Air Traffic Skills Assessment at a Pearson VUE testing center. It runs up to two hours and 49 minutes of active testing, with up to 30 minutes of optional breaks, and the result is valid for three years. The FAA endorses no practice test, so preparation focuses on the reported task mechanics rather than the live items. Our study guides cover each section.

4. Referral by score band

Results place you in a category, and higher scorers are prioritized for the next steps. See score bands for what the categories are today and what the FAA does not disclose.

5. Medical and security

Candidates who move forward complete an FAA medical examination and a security background investigation. Air traffic control has specific medical standards, and clearing them is part of the conditional offer rather than an afterthought.

6. FAA Academy

Selected candidates train at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. Academy training pay was raised under the 2024 reforms. After the Academy, you continue developmental training at an assigned facility and work toward certification as a Certified Professional Controller.

What changed in 2024

The hiring process was streamlined to fewer steps, shortening the time from application to Academy.
FAA Academy pay was increased.
Higher ATSA scorers are prioritized for advancement.
An earlier biographical assessment was removed from the process.

Timelines vary, and the steps above can overlap or shift between announcements. Treat this as orientation, not a guarantee, and confirm details against the live posting and official FAA pages.

Sources

FAA air traffic controller hiring pages and USAJOBS announcements. Eligibility and process of record.
FAA hiring-reform announcements (2024-2025). Streamlined steps, raised Academy pay, removed the biographical assessment, and prioritized higher scorers.
Pearson VUE FAA ATSA page. Active testing ceiling, optional breaks, invitation-only access, and three-year validity.
DOT Office of Inspector General, report AV2023011 (Jan 2023). Background on the assessment's development and the use of scoring bands.

Score bands Study guides