---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 C.F.R. § 1546.405"
title: "49"
number: "1546.405"
heading: "Qualifications of screening personnel."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/49/1546.405"
---

# §1546.405. Qualifications of screening personnel.

- (a) No individual subject to this subpart may perform a screening function unless that individual has the qualifications described in [§§ 1546.405 through 1546.411](/cfr/49/1546.405..1546.411.md). No foreign air carrier may use such an individual to perform a screening function unless that person complies with the requirements of [§§ 1546.405 through 1546.411](/cfr/49/1546.405..1546.411.md).
- (b) A screener must have a satisfactory or better score on a screener selection test administered by TSA.
- (c) A screener must be a citizen of the United States.
- (d) A screener must have a high school diploma, a General Equivalency Diploma, or a combination of education and experience that TSA has determined to be sufficient for the individual to perform the duties of the position.
- (e) A screener must have basic aptitudes and physical abilities including color perception, visual and aural acuity, physical coordination, and motor skills to the following standards:
  - (1) Screeners operating screening equipment must be able to distinguish on the screening equipment monitor the appropriate imaging standard specified in the foreign air carrier's security program.
  - (2) Screeners operating any screening equipment must be able to distinguish each color displayed on every type of screening equipment and explain what each color signifies.
  - (3) Screeners must be able to hear and respond to the spoken voice and to audible alarms generated by screening equipment at an active screening location.
  - (4) Screeners who perform physical searches or other related operations must be able to efficiently and thoroughly manipulate and handle such baggage, containers, cargo, and other objects subject to screening.
  - (5) Screeners who perform pat-downs or hand-held metal detector searches of individuals must have sufficient dexterity and capability to thoroughly conduct those procedures over an individual's entire body.
- (f) A screener must have the ability to read, speak, and write English well enough to—
  - (1) Carry out written and oral instructions regarding the proper performance of screening duties;
  - (2) Read English language identification media, credentials, airline tickets, documents, air waybills, invoices, and labels on items normally encountered in the screening process;
  - (3) Provide direction to and understand and answer questions from English-speaking individuals undergoing screening; and
  - (4) **Write incident reports and statements and log entries into security records in the English language.**
- (g) At locations outside the United States that are the last point of departure to the United States, and where the foreign air carrier has operational control over a screening function, the foreign air carrier may use screeners who do not meet the requirements of [paragraph (f)](#f) of this section. At such locations the foreign air carrier may use screeners who are not United States citizens.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 114, 5103, 40113, 44901-44905, 44907, 44914, 44916-44917, 44935-44936, 44942, 46105.

### Source

Source: 67 FR 8377, Feb. 22, 2002, unless otherwise noted.