Does the TSA hire felons?

Asked by: Dr. Michele Von  |  Last update: April 21, 2026
Score: 5/5 (41 votes)

Yes, the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) can hire felons, but it depends heavily on the type of felony and when it occurred, as certain serious crimes lead to permanent disqualification, while others may be disqualifying for 7 years, with exceptions for more recent release from incarceration. You'll face permanent bans for crimes like terrorism, espionage, treason, or major transportation security incidents, but for lesser felonies, passing if it's been 7 years since conviction or 5 years since release from prison may be possible, notes the TSA's website.

What disqualifies you from a TSA background check?

INTERIM DISQUALIFYING CRIMINAL OFFENSES

Extortion. Dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation, including identity fraud and money laundering, where the money laundering is related to a crime listed in Parts A or B (except welfare fraud and passing bad checks). Bribery. Smuggling.

Can you get clear TSA with a felony?

What disqualifies you for TSA PreCheck? You can be disqualified from TSA PreCheck if you have certain criminal convictions, including felonies like espionage, terrorism, murder, or recent offenses such as bribery or firearms violations within the past seven years.

How far back does TSA do a background check?

In most cases, the TSA background check looks back seven years into your criminal, financial, and employment history. However, this can vary depending on the severity of the offense.

Can a felon do TSA PreCheck?

If you have a history of fraud-related arrests or convictions, you may face denial of enrollment or revocation of existing membership. If you believe your TSA PreCheck application was wrongfully denied or your membership was unfairly revoked due to a criminal conviction, you have the right to appeal.

TSA HIRING PROCESS EXPLAINED: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW👮

27 related questions found

What airline hires felons?

Delta Airlines

The airline has been noted to provide jobs that accept felons. However, many reports say that the entire application process depends on how long the charge was. You'll be required to go through security and background checks to ensure that you're the right fit for the job.

Does TSA know if you are a felon?

Their screening is about what you bring onto a flight, not about your legal background. TSA officers are not law‑enforcement agents. They do not carry weapons, and they do not arrest people. Their job is to screen for items that could threaten flight safety, not to enforce warrants.

What is the hardest background check to pass?

The hardest background checks are typically for high-security government roles (like Top Secret clearance), involving deep dives into finances, criminal history, personal references, and lifestyle, often requiring interviews with associates; these are far more stringent than standard employment checks and focus on trustworthiness for sensitive information access, extending to personal habits, foreign contacts, and potential vulnerabilities.
 

What shows up on TSA background check?

Criminal History Background Checks

This information includes arrest and conviction information for all criminal arrest submissions and a specific segment of non-criminal records (i.e. applicants processed for fingerprints for criminal justice employment, some military, etc.).

How hard is it to get a job as TSA?

It's not inherently "hard" to qualify for the TSA as basic requirements are straightforward (citizenship, age, high school diploma, clean background), but the hiring process itself can be lengthy and demanding, involving a computer-based test (CBT), background checks, drug screening, and interviews, often taking several months, with the training phase requiring discipline to pass exams with 70%+ scores. 

What jobs won't hire a felon?

While there's no universal "forbidden" list, felons often face significant barriers in jobs requiring licenses (teaching, law, healthcare), government roles (police, security clearance), finance (banking, trading), transportation (pilots, conductors), and any position involving vulnerable populations (children, elderly), with restrictions varying by state and the nature of the conviction, especially for crimes related to honesty, violence, or substance abuse. 

How long does a felony stay on your record in the US?

A felony conviction typically stays on your U.S. criminal record indefinitely, creating a permanent history, but specific states offer remedies like expungement or sealing after waiting periods (often 7+ years) and meeting strict criteria, though serious or violent felonies are often ineligible. Options depend heavily on your state, the crime's severity, and your behavior since, with some "Clean Slate" laws automatically sealing records. 

Can a convicted felon be a security officer?

State-by-State Differences. California: The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) may deny a guard card to applicants with felony convictions, but allows for appeals and rehabilitation evidence.

What is the TSA 3 rule?

You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.

What countries can I not travel to if I have a felony?

Felons face travel restrictions to countries like Canada, Australia, Japan, China, Taiwan, and the UK, with denial often depending on the crime's severity, sentence length (e.g., UK's 12+ months), and time passed since the conviction, requiring research into each nation's specific immigration laws before travel. While many countries have rules, many also allow entry with specific permissions, visas, or after certain waiting periods, so checking with the destination country's embassy or consulate is crucial. 

What would cause a red flag on a background check?

Red flags on a background check are discrepancies or concerning findings like criminal records (especially violent, financial, or drug-related), significant inconsistencies in employment/education history, poor credit history (for finance roles), negative references, failed drug tests, or unprofessional social media activity, all raising concerns about a candidate's integrity, judgment, or suitability for a role.
 

What will fail a TSA background check?

You cannot pass a TSA background check if you've served jail time (foreign or domestic) for longer than 365 consecutive days. You may also fail if you have a history of security-related offenses that violate transport safety regulations, for example, intimidating flight crew members.

What does TSA actually look for?

TSA uses millimeter wave advanced imaging technology and walk-through metal detectors to screen passengers. Millimeter wave advanced imaging technology safely screens passengers without physical contact for metallic and non-metallic threats, including weapons and explosives, which may be concealed under clothing.

How do I know if I passed TSA background check?

Go to TSA Enrollment and select Check My Service Status. TSA does not send or issue approval letters. TSA sends official notification of your HME eligibility to your state of license only, and your state verifies your eligibility and provides your result when it issues you a CDL with HME.

What looks bad on a background check?

Things that look bad on a background check include criminal records (especially job-related offenses), significant inconsistencies on resumes (like falsified degrees or job titles), frequent job hopping, unexplained employment gaps, poor credit (for financial roles), negative social media activity (hate speech, unprofessionalism), and failed drug/driving tests, all suggesting dishonesty, instability, or risk to the employer. 

What states are felony friendly?

These Are the States Most Likely to Hire Former Felons

  • California.
  • Colorado.
  • Kansas.
  • Maryland.
  • Massachusetts.
  • Montana.
  • Nevada.
  • New Hampshire.

What is the 10 second rule in an interview?

The "10-second rule in an interview" refers to two main concepts: the first impression you make upon entering (appearance, greeting, confidence) and the time it takes for a recruiter to screen your resume (they often decide in under 10 seconds). It also applies to the silence during the interview, where interviewers should wait 10 seconds before rescuing a candidate who pauses, allowing them time to think, while candidates should aim to deliver clear, impactful information quickly. 

What is the 45 minute rule?

The "45-minute rule" primarily refers to airline policies requiring passengers to check bags or check-in at least 45 minutes before a domestic flight, a rule strictly enforced by airlines like United and Delta, with failure potentially leading to denied boarding or itinerary cancellation, though it can also relate to productivity techniques like the 45/15 rule (45 mins work, 15 mins break) or professional driving regulations for a mandatory 45-minute rest break after 4.5 hours of driving.
 

What's the best trade for a felon?

While getting a job depends on various factors, some industries are more open to hiring individuals with a record: Construction and skilled trades: Carpenters, plumbers, welders, and electricians are in demand, and employers often focus on skills and experience.