How to Become an Air Traffic Controller - The Beginner ATC Guide
Updated: April 2025
Air Traffic Control specialists are among the most crucial workers, ensuring flight safety and air travel efficiency across the National Airspace System.
Air traffic controllers work tirelessly to communicate with pilots passing through their control area and with airport personnel, whether at airport control towers, en route centers, or terminal control centers.
This page will provide a guide on how to become an air traffic controller in the United States and in Canada, including valuable tips and pointers for prospective air traffic controllers.
Or, if you are applying in Canada, the NAV Canada Online Assessment
How to Become an Air Traffic Controller in the United States
All civilian ATCs in the United States are employees of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA posts job listings for both trainee and experienced Air Traffic Control Specialists every few months.
The Federal Aviation Administration employs around 14,000 ATCs, including terminal, airport, and en route controllers. About 2,000 join the force yearly to compensate for ATCs retiring or leaving.
Openings for ATC positions are listed on USAJobs. The requirements for joining the FAA as an Air Traffic Control Specialist may change between listings, depending on several factors.
Let's go over the different routes to becoming an FAA controller.
Education and Work Experience
Many ATC listings will require past educational experience, past progressively responsible work experience, or a combination of both.
If you attempt to qualify based on education alone, you must produce documentation showing you completed a four-year bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited institution.
Air Traffic Control Degree - Air Traffic Control Schooling
Alternatively, the FAA operates a collaborative project with schools nationwide called the Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) Program. CTI programs are two—or four-year degrees that offer at least one course in air traffic control and other courses in aviation and aviation law.
Graduating a CTI program does not guarantee a job in an air traffic control facility. CTI graduates are still required to apply for the FAA OTS bid and go through the application process.
However, a CTI certification does give you a competitive edge. Candidates with a CTI certificate are three times more likely to pass the FAA Air Traffic Skills Assessment and application process (12.6% pass compared to 3.7% in the general population).
In addition, the two-year CTI Associate's degree program allows you to skip the five-week basic training program at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, while the four-year Enhanced CTI Program enables you to pass the Academy altogether.
Previous ATC Work - the Military Route
You can skip both the college degree and the FAA Academy Basic Training by gaining ATC Work Experience through the military, such as the US Air Force. Any ATC experiece will continue to be relevant for five years after you are finished. You can be an ATC through the Army (Military Occupational Specialty 15Q), Air Force (1c1x1), Navy, or Marine Corps (7257).
All of these will get you a Control Tower Operator (OTC) credential and Veterans’ Preference when applying with the civilian FAA.
In joining the military as an ATC, you will likely need to pass the ASVAB exam.
Tip:
After applying for an Air Traffic open position, candidates are divided into two pools according to their prior experience.
Pool 1 consists of:
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Graduates from an institution participating in the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program who have received an appropriate recommendation.
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Veterans eligible for a Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) and who can provide a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty within 120 days of the announcement closing.
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Eligible veterans maintaining aviation experience obtained in the course of his/her military experience and/or a veteran entitled to veterans' preference.
Pool 2 consists of all other eligible U.S. citizens who do not meet the requirements for Pool 1.
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The Federal Aviation Administration Application Process
Do you have the required qualifications? That's great.
However, it does not yet guarantee a career with the FAA. ATC hopefuls have to complete the application and training program, which includes passing a challenging cognitive assessment and completing FAA Academy training.
Let's go over the process:
Step 1: The FAA Air Traffic Controller Application
The first step is submitting an air traffic controller application to the FAA hiring bid on USAJobs. The OTS bid application window for inexperienced candidates opens once a year, usually between April-July. Start with building your application profile, and building your resume using the USAJobs resume builder to ensure your experience is calculated correctly.
Get more details on required documents for applications based on CTI, previous experience, or veterans' preferences on the official FAA page.
Tip: How to Write a Good CV For ATC
According to the FAA website, an air traffic controller should have strong Active Listening and Speaking skills, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, and Complex Problem-Solving abilities. Moreover, ATC specialists should have the following skills: Monitoring, Coordination, Reading Comprehension, Time Management, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Active Learning, Systems Analysis, and Writing skills.
Note: while applying, you will be asked for your race, sex, and nationality. This information is collected for statistical analysis – the FAA wants to make sure their annoucnements reach all levels of society. Your answers will not affect your chances of being hirede.
Step 2: The Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA)
Candidates who meet the minimum ATC application qualifications will receive an invitation to schedule and complete the ATSA, a challenging air traffic control pre-emplyment test. The test is provided to the FAA by the big-name psychometric testing company Pearson VUE, and is taken at designated Pearson testing facilities. It lasts about 3.5 hours.
Many questions on the ATSA test are unique and will not be found in any other test. Preparation can be crucial, as only top scorers pass the ATSA and move on to the next stage (an estimated 3-6%). We highly recommend getting familiar with the test format and practicing as much as you can, preferably starting at least a month before the exam date.
The ATSA measures several key capabilities for ATC, such as:
- Performance under pressure
- Set Shifting and Cognitive Flexibility - the ability to perform two tasks at once
- Memory - maintain numbers and figures in your working memory
- Spatial Reasoning
- Logical Reasoning
- Reading Comprehension
The test also includes a personality assessment. Learn more about the ATC Assessment with this video guide:
ATSA Test Prep - Quick Overview
Our ATSA Test Prep is fine-tuned to closely mimic each and every part of the FAA ATC Test. In this video, we'll give you a brief overview of what you'll encounter.
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Step 3: Medical & Security Clearance
Once the ATSA scores are calculated, the highest-scoring candidates will receive a tentative offer letter (TOL). Those who accept and sign their TOL will receive entrance on duty system forms (EODS), which must be signed within five days. Afterwards, applicants are required to proceed through the following steps:
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A security clearance
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Federal background check
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Drug testing
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A Physical Exam
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A psychological examination (MMPI2)
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Medical Examination
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Finger printing
This process may take up to 9 months, by which you will receive a Clearance of information letter (CIL).
Step 4: FAA Air Traffic Controller Academy & Training
Training to become a certified Air Traffic Controller is long and may take up to 3-4 years overall, starting with passing the FAA academy:
The FAA Air Traffic Control Academy
New air traffic controller trainees must attend the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City for an intensive 3-5 month training program that includes classroom instruction, simulations, and hands-on training.
On-the-Job Training (OJT)
After graduating from the academy, air traffic control trainees are assigned to ATC facilities across the country. There, they undergo extensive 1-3 years of on-the-job training. Only then can they become Certified Professional Controllers (CPC).
Tip: What Happens If You Fail the FAA Academy?
Some Trainees do not make it through the Academy Training.
According to FAA information, approximately 35.2% of trainees assigned to en route facilities and 13.9% of trainees assigned to terminal facilities did not complete the basic training program between 2012 and 2017.
While it is also possible to fail at field training after passing, in such cases, the FAA is more likely to seek to retain the trainee, perhaps transferring them to a different control center. Some trainees who fail the academy are offered other aviation jobs in the FAA.
You can reapply for an OTS bid, but your previous failure may negatively affect your chances. You can also apply for a Flight Service Station (FSS) position in Alaska.
FAA Salary and Benefits
The estimated average pay for air traffic controllers in the FAA is about 124,421$ per year (according to Indeed). The air traffic controller salary range is broad, with most ATCs being paid between $73,590 and $189,800 annually. The expected salary depends on various factors such as the locality level (compensation for high-cost living areas), facility level (the complexity of airspace and operations the facility handles), and the ATC level of experience. Previous college/work experience does not influence ATC pay.
Based on the U.S. Department of Labor reports of air traffic controller pay in May 2022.
Premium pay rates are also added to air traffic controllers' pay for various factors such as holidays, night shifts, and overtime.
Tip: What Is the Expected ATC Salary Throughout Training?
During the FAA Academy, your employment is considered temporary, as it may be terminated if you do not pass. As an academy trainee, you will be paid per diem rates to reimburse you for the cost of living.
Air traffic controller trainees are paid 34,135$—35,273$ per year plus living expenses (102.80$ per day) during their time at the FAA Academy. After graduating, they receive a starting salary of $43,727 per year plus locality pay once they begin on-the-job training at an assigned facility (official FAA information). As entry-level air traffic controllers advance through training, their base salary increases.
Air Traffic Controller Benefits at the FAA
Air traffic controllers get a minimum of 23 vacation days per year. As they build seniority, that number jumps to 36. They also receive full health, vision, and dental coverage, along with life insurance, savings plan and a comprehensive retirement plan.
Due to the stressful nature of the work, shifts cannot last longer than 10 hours, and back-to-back shifts are not allowed.
More about these benefits and perks can be found on the official FAA page.
United States Air Traffic Control - FAQ
As explained in this article, most ATC bids require some combination of previous work experience and education.
Other than that, these are the baseline qualifications required of all ATC applicants, based on the official Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation Careers page:
- Be a USA citizen
- Be younger than 31 at the application closing time
- Have fluency in the English language
- Be willing to relocate to an FAA facility.
The FAA Air Traffic Controller hiring process and training vary significantly from candidate to candidate and can last up to 2 years. Reaching a Certified Professional Controller (CPC) status can take up to 6 years.
Becoming an air traffic controller is hard, since the application and training process is highly demanding and competitive, taking up to 2 years that include aptitude, psychological, and physical assessments. Those who make it to the academy are expected undergo challenging selection tests.
As an ATC Specialist, you will most likely be working in one of three designated types of facilities:
- Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs) - are the American equivalent of Area Control Centers. The controllers at these facilities manage high-altitude flights, providing the pilots with crucial information. ATCs working at these centers are called en route controllers. Training to be an ARTCC controller is typically more challenging.
- Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACONs) - These centers are responsible for guiding planes during the first and last stages of their journey, and ensuring they maintain safe distance. ATC at these facilities are called terminal controllers.
- Airport Control Towers - ATCs working in airport control towers are in charge of issuing landing and take-off clearances as well as communicating with pilots during their climb. Towers controllers receive arriving flights and hand off departing flights to the TRACON or ARTCC. They are also responsible for taxiing within the airport. Despite working in the airport, they are still employees of the FAA.
In the US, you have to be under 31 to apply to be an air traffic controller. However, if you have at least one full year of ATC work experience (FAA, civilian, or military), you can apply even if you're older than 31.
The ATC age limit set by the FAA guarantees Air Traffic Controllers gain 25 years of experience qualifying them for a federal pension, before they have to retire at the age of 56 (due to safety regulations). The only exception to the air traffic control age limit is for former military air traffic controllers, who are allowed to begin work with the FAA even if they are older than 31.
The FAA's policy is that Air Traffic Control Specialists must retire at age 56. Under federal pension rules, some ATCs are eligible for early retirement after 20 years of service.
There are several reasons why the FAA enforces a universal retirement age of 56 for Air Traffic Control Specialists.
The job itself is demanding: larger Control Centers, as well as Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACONs) facilities and Airport Control Towers around major airports, operate around the clock and require working in shifts.
ATCs must remain focused for each shift, all while working in dim rooms full of screens.
Therefore, the forced retirement age is intended to ensure mental fortitude and prevent burnout.
The Pay for ATCs differs between control centers because of differences in work pressure and the cost of living in each area. While most federal jobs follow a pay scale called the General Schedule (GS), the FAA has its own pay scale.
Field trainees can start at around 75,000 yearly. However, the FAA offers the possibility of climbing the ranks. The highest-paying administrators and supervisors can make over 200,000 per year, with 225700 being the official cap mandated by law. Your salary will increase significantly as you complete more stages of your on-the-job training.
According to the US Department of Labour, the median salary for federal air traffic controllers in May 2023 was 137,380. Half of all ATCs made more than this amount, and half made less. The top ten percent of ATCs made over 200,990 USD, and the bottom 10 percent made less than 76,190 USD
No. Any discount offered by airlines to air traffic controllers may be considered bribery if it is not offered to the general public. In the same vein, ATCs are barred from owning stock in airline companies. Investing in index funds (like the S&P 500) or mutual funds that indirectly include airline stocks is generally allowed, because the ATC doesn't control or directly benefit from the performance of a single company in those funds.
The FAA used to offer a Flight Deck Training (FDT) Program. This voluntary initiative was designed to enhance air traffic controllers' understanding of flight operations and the National Airspace System. Through this program, eligible FAA air traffic control specialists can observe flight operations firsthand from the flight decks of participating aircraft, including those operated by air carriers, air cargo, air taxi services, general aviation, government, and military entities.
The FDT Program was halted during the Covid-19 pandemic and has yet to be reinstated.
There is a very high demand for air traffic controllers, and the number of vacancies grows every year, with many FAA facilities becoming short-staffed.
The FAA aims to hire about 2,000 ATC trainees each year. While the demand is high, the supply is also quite significant. This means the competition can be rather fierce, despite the fact that the FAA is always hiring.
Some math is required for the ATSA Exam and during academy training. This partially contributes to the Academy's fail rate. However, the job itself does not require advanced math beyond simple operations such as those you might use naturally in everyday life.
The Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) is designed to ensure only candidates with a high probability of success make it into the FAA Academy. As such, it is not an easy exam. However, it is not designed to measure knowledge so much as soft skills. Prior preparation and going in well-rested and relaxed can make a big difference.
Only between 2.5 and 6 percent of candidates pass the ATSA. After passing, candidates receive a Temporary Offer Letter (TOL) via email. They can accept the offer and move on in the FAA admission process.
Failing the ATSA does not bar a candidate from reapplying in the following FAA bid.
After applying for an Air Traffic open position, candidates are divided into two pools according to their prior experience.
Pool 1 consists of:
- Graduates from an institution participating in the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program who has received an appropriate recommendation.
- Veterans eligible for a Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) and who can provide a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty within 120 days of the announcement closing.
- Eligible veterans maintaining aviation experience obtained in the course of his/her military experience and/or a veteran entitled to veterans' preference.
Pool 2 consists of all other eligible U.S. citizens who do not meet the requirements for Pool 1.
According to the FAA website, an air traffic controller should have strong Active Listening and Speaking skills, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, and Complex Problem-Solving abilities. Moreover, ATC specialists should have the following skills: Monitoring, Coordination, Reading Comprehension, Time Management, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Active Learning, Systems Analysis, and Writing skills.
Becoming an Air Traffic Controller in Canada
In Canada, Air Traffic Controllers are employed by a non-profit private organization called NAV Canada.
To become an ATC with NAV Canada, you can start by finding ATC job listings on the organization's careers page. Before doing this, make sure you are:
- Older than 18
- A Canadian Citizen or a permanent resident.
- Fully fluent in English. If you are applying in the Montreal Flight Information Region you must also be fluent in French.
- Available to start within 18 months of application.
Next, you will need to pass through a series of assessments:
The NAV Canada Online Assessment
As an initial screening phase, candidates who submitted applications and met all qualifications will be invited to take a 30-minute online test.
This test measures inductive reasoning, deductive reasoning, concentration, and spatial orientation skills.
Candidates who fail this exam must wait one year before reapplying for an ATC position.
In-Person Test Day 1
If you pass the online assessment, you will receive an invitation to visit your Area Control Center and sit an exhaustive 6-hour test battery. The exact nature of the testing day may differ from region to region. however, most ACCs in Canada will ask you to take the FEAST Exam and the Multipass (Feast II) Exam.
These will have you complete an ATC simulation, testing your ability to memorize meaningless sequences of letters and numbers, operate a simulated radar, and answer multiple-choice questions in spatial reasoning, logical reasoning, and reading comprehension.
Candidates who fail this stage must wait two years before reapplying.
In-Person Test Day 2
After passing the FEAST and Multipass exams, the most challenging part is behind you.
You will still have to show up to your ACC one more time to take a structured interview and an assessment center. This part of the process will require you to participate in group dynamics activities to gague you ability to cooperate and work in a group.
Failing this stage will make you ineligible to apply for three years
Note:
Between the first and second in-person testing day, you will be asked to schedule an over-the-phone lanague test to assess your language proficiency.
NAV Canada Air Traffic Controller Training
Your training may differ between ACC Controllers and Tower Controllers.
- ACC Controllers will spend 6 to 8 months in basic training at their area control center, then another six to seven months in a unique course built for their specialty. After completing this, controllers will begin work. During the first year, they will continue training on the job. After this, they become licensed area conrollers.
- Tower Controllers spend five to six months in basic training, also at the area control center. They then transfer to a tower course, either in the area control center of their assigned tower location or at the local control center. After completing the course and on-the-job training, they become licensed controllers.
Air Traffic Controller Salary - Canada
During training, you will be making a yearly salary of 67,900 to 59,550 Dollars. After completion of training, the salary ranges from 139,333 to 201,407 Dollars for Area controllers and between 10,1221 and 20,1407 for Tower Controllers.
This does not include premiums based on location and experience.
