Air traffic control is used to separate aircraft safely – in the sky as they fly and at the airports where they land and take off again.

Air traffic controllers give instructions, advice and information to pilots so that they can fly safely, efficiently and quickly. Controllers keep track of flights by using radar and the latest computer systems.

Pre-requisite;

An applicant for an air traffic controller license shall:-

1. Be at least 21 years of age;
2. Hold a current Class 3 Medical Certificate.
3. Have completed an approved training course and not less than three (3) months’ satisfactory service engaged in the actual control of air traffic under the supervision of an appropriately rated air traffic controller (OJT). This will be substantiated by a certificate of completion from the ATO. The experience specified above shall have been completed in the 6-month period preceding application for an ATC license.;
4. Pass the English Language Proficiency exam and attain either of;
   1. Operational Level (Level 4); Valid for 3 years
   2. Extended Level (Level 5); Valid for 6 years
   3. Expert Level (Level 6); Valid for Life
5. Have met the training, experience, and assessment requirements for at least one air traffic controller rating as follows:-
   1. Aerodrome Control Rating; to provide or to supervise the provision of Air traffic Service for all traffic on the maneuvering area of an aerodrome and all aircraft flying in the vicinity of the aerodrome for which the license holder is rated. A tower (with an Aerodrome or 'Airport Control') rating would tend to be qualified in all aspects of tower operations including:
      1. Clearance Delivery (issuing IFR clearances as issued by Approach Control or assigning transponder codes)
      2. Ground Control (issuing clearances for aircraft to move to/from the apron and runway areas via a taxiway system
      3. Air Control (issuing clearances to aircraft in the runway environment and in the vicinity of the airport)
   2. Approach Control Procedural Rating; to provide or to supervise the provision of air traffic control service for arriving, departing or transiting controlled flights for the aerodrome or aerodromes for which the license holder is rated, within the airspace or portion thereof, under the jurisdiction of the unit providing approach control service, or
   3. Approach Radar Control Rating; to provide or supervise the provision of approach control service with the use of radar or other surveillance systems for the aerodrome or aerodromes for which the license holder is rated, within the airspace or of the airspace, under the jurisdiction of the unit providing approach control service, or Terminal Controllers handle traffic in the radar terminal area (30-50 miles) from an airport.
   4. Area Control Procedural Rating; to provide or supervise the provision of air traffic control service to controlled flights in control areas under its jurisdiction within the control area or portion of the control area, for which the license holder is rated; or
   5. Area Radar Control Rating: to provide or supervise the provision of area control service with the use of radar, within the control area or portion of the control area, for which the license holder is rated.

   Once the aircraft leave the terminal, the Area Controller-sometimes called en-route control-takes over.

   Note: The Approach Control Procedural and the Area Control Procedural ratings indicate that no surveillance equipment is used while providing air traffic control services using these ratings .

6. Pass the English Language Proficiency exam and attain either of;
   1. Operational Level (Level 4); Valid for 3 years
   2. Extended Level (Level 5); Valid for 6 years
   3. Expert Level (Level 6); Valid for Life

Application Requirements.

1. A properly completed prescribed Application Form for issue of an Air Traffic Controllers' ;
2. A current Class 3 medical certificate;
3. A knowledge test report given after passing the Rating Board;
4. An ATO Certificate certifying that the applicant has received and passed an approved training course in air traffic control;
5. Two current passport size photographs (full face);  
6. A photo identification card or Passport;  

Requirements for an additional Rating

1. An application form for additional rating on an ATC license.
2. An air traffic controller’s license for the endorsement.

Requirements for the renewal of an ATC License;

1. An application form for renewal of an ATC license.
2. Results of a Rating Board – for a new rating
3. An air traffic controller’s license for the endorsement.

Requirements for station validation of an ATC License

1. An application form for endorsement of station validation on an ATC license.
2. Results of a Station Validation Board.
3. An air traffic controller’s license for the endorsement.

Cost

Charges are on the AIC on charges

Validity

Depends on the period indicated on the medical certificate;

For those below 40yrs – 2 years
40yrs and above – 1 year