Before providing an Air Traffic Control (ATC) service, an individual must be appropriately qualified and licensed.
They must hold an Air Traffic Controller (ATCO) Licence that includes a rating and rating endorsement, where applicable, appropriate to the task.
ATCO licences are issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to holders of Student ATCO licences following successful completion of the appropriate approved unit endorsement course and assessment.
Requirements to be granted an ATCO Licence
Applicants for an Air Traffic Controller Licence must:
- Hold a valid Student Air Traffic Controller Licence.
- Have successfully completed the applicable Unit Endorsement Course.
- Have successfully completed Training in Abnormal and Emergency Situations (ABES) and Human Factors.
- Hold a current UK issued Class 3 medical certificate.
How do I apply?
Applications are made to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Air Traffic Service (ATS) Licensing Assessment on the Application for the Initial Issue of an Air Traffic Controller (ATCO) Licence (SRG1411A) form.
You do not need to send any additional information with your application form.
How much does it cost?
The cost of the grant of an Air Traffic Controller (ATCO) licence is detailed in the Official Record Series ORS 5 - Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Scheme of Charges (Personnel Licensing).
What else do I need to know?
You will need to read the guidance notes attached to the Application for the Issue of an Air Traffic Controller Licence (SRG1411A) application form to ensure that it has been completed correctly.
Incorrect or incomplete application forms may delay the issue of the licence.
How long will it take for my application to be processed?
Applications for an Air Traffic Controller (ATCO) Licence will normally be processed within 10 working days, although for administrative reasons, this may not always be possible.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Licensing Assessment will contact you if there are any queries regarding your application.
What happens next?
After checking that the application is in order, the application will then be processed, the licence produced and dispatched to the applicant’s unit address.
Because it is the first issue of an Air Traffic Controller (ATCO) licence, the licence will be held by the unit until the completion of an initial unit endorsement assessment supervised by a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Inspector Air Traffic Service (ATS).
If the unit endorsement assessment is successful, the CAA Inspector ATS will provide the ATCO licence to the applicant in exchange for their student ATCO licence.
If the unit endorsement assessment is unsuccessful, the CAA Inspector ATS will retain the ATCO licence, advise the reasons for the failure and what is required before another assessment can be carried out.
An ATCO licence does not expire.
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