TSA Academy Training: Everything You Need to Know

The Transport Security Association (TSA) is dedicated to ensuring safe travel for passengers and crews to and from airports across the United States. This means hiring and training exceptional individuals who can identify risks and security threats quickly and efficiently.

Part of this recruitment process is the TSA Academy training program.

This article will tell you everything you need to know about the TSA Academy training process and what to expect once you have completed your training.

TSA Academy Training Overview

The TSA Academy Training program was developed to ensure that officers are fully prepared to manage threats and ensure safety during their working lives.

The TSA Officer Training Academy provides thorough training for all new recruits, teaching them everything from X-ray screening and effective communication, to how to spot potential terrorism threats. By completing the TSA training program, individuals are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to carry out their roles in transport security.

Training takes place both online and at Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC), with the primary TSA Training Academy location found in Glynco, Georgia. 

TSA Academy Training Phases

Training is delivered in two phases. Each phase is assessed separately, with Phase 1 needing to be successfully completed before applicants can progress to Phase 2.

Phase 1

The first phase of training is completed online. This is due to adjustments made during the Coronavirus pandemic. 

Candidates are provided with a mixture of audio and visual information, classroom exercises, and homework-style assignments covering a range of topics. This knowledge is then assessed through a series of exams that require a minimum score of 70% to pass. 

Key topics covered during Phase 1 include:

• Screening policies
• Effective communication
• Critical thinking
• Detecting terrorist threats
• Prohibited and restricted items
• Handling sensitive information

Phase 2

If you achieve the required pass rate in all Phase 1 exams, you will move to Phase 2. This is 80 hours of training, completed in person at a Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC).

The TSA Academy training schedule for Phase 2 focuses on teaching the skills required for a career in the Transport Security Authority. It covers hands-on activities, practical demonstrations, and simulated scenarios, as well as classroom-style lectures. 

Key topics covered during Phase 2 include:

• Explosives detection
• X-ray training
• Screening and understanding checkpoint labs
• Official operating procedures

Entry to Phase 2 of training is highly competitive, with only 30 places available for each intake. As with Phase 1, scores of above 70% are required for all assessments to pass. 

Additional Logistics and Benefits

Spending time at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center comes with specific logistical considerations and requirements. Candidates will travel from across the United States to take their place on an FSA Academy Training course. 

Thankfully, the FSA has taken all of this into consideration and provides candidates with a comprehensive package of benefits. 

Accommodation and Meal Plans

There is accommodation available for new recruits at the Georgia campus. This is generally in the form of single-occupancy dorms and includes a meal plan. However, candidates are free to find their own accommodation should they wish to. 

Paid Benefits

Candidates taking a place at the TSA Academy Training facility in Georgia will be able to claim expenses for a range of things including travel, meals, and lodgings. There is also a salary for TSA training new hires. However, none of this will be paid until training is complete. 

Other Benefits

As well as salary and payments for expenses, TSA Academy recruits are eligible for a range of health and sickness benefits, as well as maternity and paternity pay.

Packing the Essentials

There isn’t an official dress code for candidates during TSA Academy Training. However, it is generally accepted that individuals should wear a blue button-down shirt and dress pants for lectures.

You should also pack a white dress shirt for your last day of training and some casual clothes for weekends. As well as study materials like notebooks, stationery, and a laptop, you should also pack general essentials such as laundry products and toiletries.

Challenges and Tips for Success

The TSA Academy is designed to ensure that candidates are able to meet the rigorous standards required of Transport Security Officers. This means that individuals should be prepared to adapt and adjust to meet an intense and demanding schedule, which will be both mentally and physically draining. 

Candidates should be aware of the importance of maintaining professionalism at all times. An example of this is the unofficial dress code. Although candidates can technically wear casual clothing, blue button-down shirts and dress pants, as mentioned above, are generally seen as more appropriate and acceptable. This level of attention to detail will be required throughout training.

Whether through online training, or at the in-person training center, you will be expected to retain and recall information accurately. Organization and effective study strategies will be vital when it comes to remembering everything that you have been taught.

Although TSA Academy Training comes with challenges, it will be worth it when you succeed and embark on a highly rewarding and motivating career.

Post-Training and Career Advancement

Once you have successfully passed both phases of TSA Academy training, you will be offered a probationary period working as a Transport Security Officer. 

The length of the probationary period can vary. In some cases, it can be up to two years. Your daily responsibilities will involve fieldwork at a designated airport where you will work under the supervision of more senior staff members. 

There are a number of career paths and opportunities you can take once you have fully qualified to work for the TSA. Whether you want to move around different airports for new challenges or are seeking more responsibility, you will be able to progress and grow as you build your career. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does TSA Academy training take place?

Phase 1 of the training is completed online. Phase 2 is completed in person at a Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. This will usually be in Georgia, although there are other training centres across the United States.

How long does each phase of training last?

Phase 1 training can last two to three months, depending on your study schedule. Phase 2 will typically last for two to three weeks. The TSA Academy training schedule for this phase includes hands-on activities, practical demonstrations, and simulated scenarios, as well as classroom-style lectures. 

What topics are covered in Phase 1 and Phase 2?

Phase 1 primarily focuses on theoretical concepts and FSA policies. Phase 2 is more hands-on, with training related to X-ray screening and operating procedures. 

Are TSA trainees paid during the program?

In Georgia, TSA trainees are paid a salary and reimbursed for their expenses. However, this is only paid once both phases of training have been completed. 

What happens if I fail an exam during training?

In most cases, if you fail an exam, you will be able to retake it. However, if you fail to achieve the 70% pass rate a second time, you could be disqualified from the hiring process. You would then have to wait at least six months before reapplying. 

Final Thoughts

The TSA Academy Training program is an essential step in the process of training highly skilled officers who are able to step up to the challenges of a career in transport security.

Each phase has been developed to teach vital skills and ensure that candidates have the knowledge required to be able to keep themselves, airline crews, and the public safe.

Although the training process is demanding, candidates should approach it with confidence. This is the final step of the TSA recruitment process, so they have already proven their potential. Completing this final hurdle will mean embarking on a highly rewarding career.