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368 

49 CFR Ch. XII (10–1–23 Edition) 

§ 1544.401 

Subpart E—Screener Qualifica-

tions When the Aircraft Oper-
ator Performs Screening 

§ 1544.401

Applicability of this sub-

part. 

This subpart applies when the air-

craft operator is conducting inspec-
tions as provided in § 1544.207. 

[74 FR 47704, Sept. 16, 2009] 

§ 1544.403

[Reserved] 

§ 1544.405

Qualifications of screening 

personnel. 

(a) No individual subject to this sub-

part may perform a screening function 
unless that individual has the quali-
fications described in §§ 1544.405 
through 1544.411. No aircraft operator 
may use such an individual to perform 
a screening function unless that person 
complies with the requirements of 
§§ 1544.405 through 1544.411. 

(b) A screener must have a satisfac-

tory or better score on a screener selec-
tion 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 edu-
cation and experience that the TSA has 
determined to be sufficient for the in-
dividual to perform the duties of the 
position. 

(e) A screener must have basic apti-

tudes and physical abilities including 
color perception, visual and aural acu-
ity, 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 spec-
ified in the aircraft operator’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 loca-
tion. 

(4) Screeners who perform physical 

searches or other related operations 

must be able to efficiently and thor-
oughly 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 dex-
terity and capability to thoroughly 
conduct those procedures over an indi-
vidual’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 in-

structions regarding the proper per-
formance of screening duties; 

(2) Read English language identifica-

tion media, credentials, airline tickets, 
documents, air waybills, invoices, and 
labels on items normally encountered 
in the screening process; 

(3) Provide direction to and under-

stand and answer questions from 
English-speaking individuals under-
going screening; and 

(4) Write incident reports and state-

ments and log entries into security 
records in the English language. 

(g) At locations outside the United 

States where the aircraft operator has 
operational control over a screening 
function, the aircraft operator may use 
screeners who do not meet the require-
ments of paragraph (f) of this section, 
provided that at least one representa-
tive of the aircraft operator who has 
the ability to functionally read and 
speak English is present while the air-
craft operator’s passengers are under-
going security screening. At such loca-
tions the aircraft operator may use 
screeners who are not United States 
citizens. 

§ 1544.407

Training, testing, and 

knowledge of individuals who per-
form screening functions. 

(a) 

Training required. Before per-

forming screening functions, an indi-
vidual must have completed initial, re-
current, and appropriate specialized 
training as specified in this section and 
the aircraft operator’s security pro-
gram. No aircraft operator may use 
any screener, screener in charge, or 
checkpoint security supervisor unless 

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