Does the FAA hire felons?
Asked by: Miss Dessie DuBuque | Last update: November 26, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (74 votes)
Yes, felony convictions can prevent you from becoming a pilot and/or remaining a pilot once you've completed training. The FAA has even refused to issue medical certificates for student pilots because of felony drug convictions. Substance abuse and being branded a security threat are common reasons for FAA denial.
What disqualifies you from a FAA background check?
- Espionage or conspiracy to commit espionage.
- Sedition or conspiracy to commit sedition.
- Treason or conspiracy to commit treason.
- A federal crime of terrorism as defined in 18 U.S.C. ...
- A crime involving a TSI (transportation security incident).
Can a felon work for FAA?
You can get a FAA certificate if you have a felony conviction, unless the conviction is for a drug or alcohol related offense. In that case, you cannot apply for a certificate for up to one year after your final conviction.
Do airlines hire pilots with felonies?
You can get a FAA certificate if you have a felony conviction, unless the conviction is for a drug or alcohol related offense.
How far back does the FAA background check go?
Since the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) doesn't go back a specific number of years when conducting background checks, a DUI over 10 years ago may make an FAA medical certificate harder to get.
Can Felons Work At Airports? - Air Traffic Insider
What disqualifies you from working at the airport?
The FAA has a lengthy list of disqualifying crimes. Such convictions include murder, forgery, armed robbery, extortion, or illegal drug distribution. If the background check returns any of these convictions, the applicant will not move forward.
Can the FAA see expunged records?
Thus, agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), for example, will most likely still be able to see your expunged records.
What disqualifies you from being a pilot?
These medical conditions include a personality disorder manifested by overt acts, a psychosis, alcoholism, drug dependence, epilepsy, an unexplained disturbance of consciousness, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, and diabetes requiring medication for its control.
Do airlines check for felony warrants?
Yes, you can technically fly with a bench warrant, especially on domestic flights, as the TSA does not specifically check for warrants.
Can felons get a passport?
Most convicted felons in the US can obtain a passport after completing their sentence. That said, certain felony convictions can still disqualify you from getting a passport. Other reasons for being denied a US passport include failing to pay child support or having significant outstanding federal tax debts.
What does a FAA background check show?
FAA Employment Records for all past air carriers past 5 years. Drug and Alcohol Testing Program verification. Flight Training Verification in the employment records of previous employers. Social Security Verification with address history for past 7 to 10 years.
Can you fly as a convicted felon?
Can Convicted Felons Travel? Yes, but it depends on your country of citizenship. If you're a US citizen, then yes. You can travel to most countries worldwide as long as you have a passport and a visa (if necessary).
Can you get a captain's license with a felony?
Will a criminal record disqualify me from a captain's license? Convictions for serious crimes, particularly felonies involving moral turpitude such as fraud or major offenses like drug trafficking and acts of terrorism, can disqualify a candidate.
Does TSA hire felons?
Hiring With the TSA
They will also look at any criminal convictions. You may be disqualified from working for the TSA for a period of time or permanently, depending on the crime you were convicted of or whether you are wanted or indicted for a felony.
What is a disqualifying felony?
"Disqualifying offense" means a conviction for: Any offense that is a felony; a sex offense as defined in this section; a crime against children or persons as defined in RCW 43.43.
How much do pilots make?
Best-Paying States for Pilots
The states and districts that pay Pilots the highest mean salary are Washington ($369,440), Illinois ($298,460), California ($286,040), Florida ($283,740), and Virginia ($245,980).
Can TSA see your criminal record?
However, to safeguard the ranks of this vital agency, a rigorous and thorough background check was set into place as part of the TSA hiring process. From checking credit rating to unpaid debts, and criminal convictions, there are a number of factors that can you lead to automatic disqualification.
Do they run your name at the airport?
If you have an outstanding bench warrant, or an arrest warrant issued by a court, you may be detained or arrested at the airport. It is more common for your name to be checked against various databases when you are traveling internationally.
What is the no fly list?
No Fly List. The No Fly List is a small subset of the U.S. government Terrorist Screening Database (also known as the terrorist watchlist) that contains the identity information of known or suspected terrorists. This database is maintained by the FBI's Terrorist Screening Center.
Can a felon be a pilot?
Although felons are not strictly barred from becoming pilots, the FAA has leeway in denying licensing. Good moral character is an expected character trait of pilots. If you are unsure about your felony conviction, contact the FAA.
Does the FAA check medical records?
If you ever need to submit medical records to the FAA, they will review everything you give them. Many pilots have waited months or years for their medical certificates because each new record they provide to justify their medical certificate eligibility reveals another ailment they did not disclose before.
How strict is the FAA?
The FAA has the world's strictest qualifications for airline pilots and virtually all new applicants are required to possess a minimum of 1,500 hours of flight experience.
What shows up on a FAA background check?
- Identity verification. ...
- Criminal history check. ...
- Employment and education verification. ...
- Financial history check. ...
- Security clearances. ...
- Application and consent. ...
- Information gathering. ...
- Verification and investigation.
Does the FBI have access to expunged records?
Expunged records can, in some cases, appear on FBI background checks, especially those conducted by law enforcement or certain government entities.. While expungement is meant to remove or restrict access to criminal records, the effectiveness of the process varies by jurisdiction.
How far back is the background check for Global Entry?
How far back do Global Entry background checks go? They will go back 10-20 years of your record, but if you have at least kept your record clean for the past ten years, then it won't prevent you from getting a Global Entry membership.