The TSA hires through USAJobs, and you need a government account before you start

The Transportation Security Administration posts all job openings on USAJobs.gov, the federal government's official job board. You cannot send a resume to TSA directly or walk into an airport with an process. Every position — from Transportation Security Officer to administrative roles — goes through USAJobs, and you must create a free account there first.

Your USAJobs account is separate from any other government login. You will use it to search for TSA positions, upload documents, and track the status of your process. The account takes about 10 minutes to set up and requires a valid email address and a password.

Once your account is active, you search USAJobs by agency (select Transportation Security Administration) and location. TSA posts openings continuously, but they often close after a set period — sometimes two weeks, sometimes longer. If you miss a closing date, you wait for the next posting in that location.

Key Takeaways

  • All TSA jobs are posted on USAJobs.gov, and you must create a free account there to view or submit applications.
  • Transportation Security Officer positions require a high school diploma or equivalent, a valid driver's license, and U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status.
  • The process process includes a written exam, a medical evaluation, a background investigation, and a final interview before you receive an offer.
  • From the time you submit your process to receiving a job offer typically takes three to six months, depending on how quickly the TSA processes your background check.
  • You must pass a Top Secret security clearance investigation, which means TSA will contact your references, previous employers, and review your financial and criminal history.

What you need before you explore

The basic requirements for a Transportation Security Officer — the most common TSA position — are straightforward: U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status, a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver's license, and the ability to pass a background check and medical exam. You must be at least 18 years old. If you have a felony conviction or certain misdemeanors, you will be disqualified, and TSA will tell you which offenses bar you during the process process.

You will also need documents ready to upload to your USAJobs account. Have a copy of your Social Security card, driver's license, birth certificate, and any military discharge papers if you served. If you have lived outside the United States in the past seven years, gather dates and addresses for those periods. TSA does not ask for all of these upfront, but having them organized saves time when the background investigator requests them later.

For other TSA roles — such as administrative positions, IT jobs, or management tracks — the requirements vary. Check the specific job posting on USAJobs for education level, years of experience, and any certifications needed. Many positions require a bachelor's degree or several years of work history in a related field.

The process and exam phase

When you find a TSA opening that matches your location and qualifications, you click "explore" on USAJobs and fill out the online questionnaire. This is not a free-form resume submission. TSA asks specific yes-or-no and multiple-choice questions about your background, work history, and ability to meet the job requirements. Answer honestly — TSA cross-checks your answers against your background investigation, and discrepancies can disqualify you.

After you submit your process, TSA reviews it to confirm you meet the basic requirements. If you pass that screen, you are invited to take the TSA Officer Selection and Ranking (TOSAR) exam for Transportation Security Officer roles, or a role-specific written test for other positions. The TOSAR is a computer-based test that measures reading comprehension, math, situational judgment, and your ability to follow procedures. You take it at a testing center in your area, and TSA provides a list of locations when you are invited.

You do not study for the TOSAR the way you would for a college entrance exam. TSA publishes sample questions on its website so you can see the format. The test takes about three hours. If you pass, you move to the next phase. If you do not, you can reapply after six months.

Medical evaluation and background investigation

Once you pass the exam, TSA schedules you for a medical evaluation with a TSA-approved physician. This is a standard physical: height, weight, vision, hearing, and a review of your medical history. You pay for this exam yourself, though the cost is usually between $100 and $300. TSA provides a list of approved doctors in your area. You must be able to lift 50 pounds, see and hear adequately with or without correction, and have no medical conditions that would prevent you from performing the job safely.

At the same time, TSA initiates a Top Secret security clearance investigation. This is the longest part of the process. A background investigator will contact your previous employers, your references, your neighbors, and anyone else who can speak to your character and reliability. TSA will review your financial records, criminal history, and drug use. They may interview you in person. This phase can take two to four months depending on how quickly people respond to the investigator's requests.

During the background check, disclose everything. If you have unpaid debts, a history of drug use, or a criminal record, tell TSA now rather than hoping they do not find out. Honesty during the investigation is weighed differently than hiding information, which is grounds for when ready disqualification.

The final interview and conditional offer

If your background check clears, you are invited for a final interview with a TSA hiring manager. This is a structured conversation about your work history, why you want the job, how you handle stress, and scenarios you might face on the job. Prepare examples from your past work where you solved a problem, handled a difficult customer, or worked as part of a team. The interview usually lasts 30 to 45 minutes.

After the interview, TSA makes a conditional offer of employment. This means the job is yours pending one final step: a drug test. You go to a testing facility, provide a urine sample, and wait for results. If you pass, the conditional offer becomes final and you receive a start date.

From process to conditional offer typically takes three to six months. Some applicants move faster if their background is straightforward and the investigator reaches people quickly. Others wait longer if references are hard to reach or if TSA needs to investigate something in your history more thoroughly.

After you are hired: the training pipeline

Once you accept the job, you report to your assigned airport for on-the-job training. For Transportation Security Officers, this lasts about six weeks. You work alongside experienced officers, learn TSA procedures, practice screening passengers and baggage, and study the regulations you need to know. You are paid during training.

At the end of training, you take a final certification exam. If you pass, you become a full Transportation Security Officer and receive your TSA badge. If you do not pass, you may be given a second chance or let go, depending on TSA policy at your airport.

TSA also requires a Top Secret security clearance to be finalized after you are hired. The investigation does not stop at the conditional offer. TSA continues to monitor your background for the duration of your employment, and you must report any significant changes — arrests, financial problems, or moves — to your supervisor.

Common reasons applications are rejected

TSA denies applications most often because of criminal history, financial problems, or dishonesty on the process. A felony conviction almost always disqualifies you. Certain misdemeanors — domestic violence, drug possession, theft — also bar you. If you have unpaid taxes, defaulted student loans, or a pattern of unpaid debts, TSA may view you as a security risk.

Lying on your process or during the background investigation is grounds for when ready rejection and can affect your future government employment. If you are unsure whether something in your past will disqualify you, contact the TSA directly before you explore. You can call the TSA recruitment line or visit a TSA career event at an airport near you.

Some applicants are rejected because they do not meet the physical requirements — they cannot lift 50 pounds, or their vision does not meet TSA standards even with correction. Others fail the TOSAR exam and have to wait six months to retake it. If you are rejected, TSA will tell you the reason. You can reapply for the same position when it is posted again, or you can pursue a different TSA role that may suit your background better.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to hear back after I explore on USAJobs?

TSA typically reviews applications within two to four weeks of the closing date. If you pass the initial screen, you will receive an email inviting you to take the exam. The entire process from process to conditional offer usually takes three to six months, but it varies based on how quickly the background investigator can reach your references and how busy the TSA office is.

Can I work for TSA if I have a criminal record?

It depends on the offense. Felonies almost always disqualify you. Many misdemeanors — especially drug-related, theft, or violence offenses — also bar you. Minor traffic violations or a single misdemeanor from years ago may not. Contact TSA directly before you explore if you are unsure whether your record will disqualify you.

Do I need a college degree to work for TSA?

No. Transportation Security Officer positions require only a high school diploma or GED. Other TSA roles — such as administrative, IT, or management positions — may require a bachelor's degree or work experience. Check the specific job posting on USAJobs to see what education is required for the role you are interested in.

What happens if I fail the TOSAR exam?

You can retake the exam after six months. TSA does not limit the number of times you can take it, but you must wait the full six months between attempts. Use that time to review the sample questions TSA publishes and practice reading comprehension and math skills.

Will TSA contact my current employer during the background check?

Yes, TSA contacts previous employers and may contact your current employer if you authorize it. If you do not want your current employer to know you are explore, you can request that TSA not contact them, but this may slow down the investigation. Be prepared to explain why you are withholding that contact.