TSA Orientation 2026: What to Expect & How to Pass It
With the hiring process mostly complete, the next step is training at the TSA Academy. Remember, you're hired preliminarily and must pass both phases 1 and 2 to start working, so don’t quit your job. You'll receive a stipend during training but only get paid after successfully completing all phases.
This article will cover what to expect during your TSA Orientation at the Transportation Security Administration.
Your TSA career starts with orientation—an essential step to understanding your role. This guide covers what to expect during TSA orientation, what to bring, and how to make the most of the process to set yourself up for success.
There is no iron-clad rule to the length of the process; some new hires reported two days, while others reported four.
However, what is for sure is that Orientation is an integral part of the onboarding process, and you will complete the following:
When you complete this portion of the process, then you will move on to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) to complete your training.
💡 Check our Free TSA CBT test for practice questions.
One of the primary tasks that you will complete at your Orientation is "A Day in the Life" where you will hear from a current TSO Officer about everything they go through in a day.
They will walk you through their motivation to get up every day, their daily routine on the job, and issues that come up with X-ray machines. They will explain how they best collaborate with fellow employees and managers and how their coaches and mentors affect their ability to do their job
It is essential to pay close attention. As soon as you are finished with your TSA orientation, the process will continue with a 2-week BTP at the TSA Academy, at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers in Glynco, GA.
The process is part of the overall training, so yes, you will get paid. However, it is essential to mention that the payment will not transfer until you get officially hired at the end of the entire process.
Furthermore, there have been cases of new hires getting fired on their first day for falling asleep during a speech. So, it's super important to pay attention and get proper rest before sitting in class. And bear in mind you will have intense info-filled classes in the weeks ahead, So make sure to be ready.
Before you are invited to the Orientation, you will receive an email, including a dress code. It should be noted throughout the entire training process the dress code is only enforced on day one and can cause dismissal. So, it's important to come dressed as asked.
The email states: "Orientation Day is business casual, including a white dress shirt, black pants, and black closed-toe shoes. "This means ladies should not come in either a dress or skirt.
You will be tested on what you have learned during the Orientation. It has been said that no one has ever failed the exam because all you have to do is listen. The trainer will go over the test before you take it, so pay attention, and you will be fine. In any event, it will not take more than 10 minutes.
Considering that the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers in Glynco, GA continue the Orientation, it could be fair to call it the "orientation college."
The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) Glynco campus is equidistant between Savannah, GA, and Jacksonville, FL.
The Center is actually a town unto itself with its own zip code (31524). It is known as Glynco, GA, and is located on the northwestern edge of Brunswick, GA.
For the first time in its 20 year history, the TSA has moved to a full-fledged facility replete with instructors, classrooms, dorms, dining hall, and the lab!
The lab is essentially a wide range of structures that include:
Additional features are a library, mock courtrooms, a fully stocked gym, forensic labs, and more.
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You will need to complete and sign the following forms and documentation:
Congratulations, you have passed the Orientation and will continue with the TSA hiring process. Then, you will get on a bus and travel to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) Glynco campus.
You will then spend two weeks taking courses, conducting practical training exercises, studying, getting into physical shape, and much more.
It is important to remember that grades matter. On both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of your training, you must maintain a minimum grade of 70% or else you are out; you did not come all this way, passing through the TSA's extremely long process to go home now.
Ensure that you complete the process and succeed in grabbing the position you want.
Our TSA practice tests are made to mirror any possible version of the test- the exact questions you'll face in the new TSA exam, and the older X-ray and English tests that have still been given to candidates throughout the year.
Although these testing materials included the English comp and X-ray practice mostly, it did also have some of the new test materials. I am glad I did it all. This was well worth the money. I went into the test prepared for both. Also, it got me ready for the pressures of testing. I don’t think I would have passed the first time without it. I just got my tentative job offer letter so onward to the next steps! There does need to be a few more practice questions for the new style test however.
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Maia E.
Gave me much more confidence on the material that would be on the test, and I did in fact Pass my exam! The practice test are extremely helpful to get in repetitions of what you might find. Just remember, you don’t know what version of the exam you will receive, so studying all they have to give is helpful. I discovered my Version was 2D-3D shapes and speed image matching so I didn’t have any X-Ray or grammar questions, so touching base on all the helpful material is a must.
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Connor M.
Excellent study guide made everything so much easier.
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Migdalia D.
