TSO Credential Requirements 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which document type is NOT acceptable as a standalone List A document for TSO I-9 employment eligibility verification?
- U.S. Passport
- Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551)
- State-issued driver's license (Correct answer)
- Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766)
Correct answer: State-issued driver's license
A state-issued driver's license is a List B document (identity only) and cannot stand alone as a List A document, which must establish both identity and employment authorization.
Question 2: TSA requires applicants to pass a credit check as part of the hiring process primarily to assess what?
- Net worth and financial assets
- Financial responsibility and integrity (Correct answer)
- Credit score above a specific threshold
- History of bankruptcy filings only
Correct answer: Financial responsibility and integrity
TSA's credit check evaluates financial responsibility and integrity, since financial irresponsibility can indicate susceptibility to bribery or other security risks.
Question 3: What is the minimum age requirement to apply for a TSO position with the TSA?
- 16 years old
- 18 years old (Correct answer)
- 21 years old
- 25 years old
Correct answer: 18 years old
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application to be eligible for a TSO position.
Question 4: Which of the following disqualifies an applicant from TSO employment under felony conviction rules?
- A misdemeanor conviction more than 10 years ago
- Any felony conviction regardless of when it occurred (Correct answer)
- A felony conviction within the past 5 years only
- A felony conviction that resulted in a fine rather than prison
Correct answer: Any felony conviction regardless of when it occurred
TSA policy disqualifies any applicant with a felony conviction regardless of how long ago it occurred or the sentence imposed.
Question 5: A TSO applicant who was convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence is:
- Eligible if the conviction was more than 7 years ago
- Permanently disqualified from TSO employment (Correct answer)
- Required to obtain a waiver from the TSA Administrator
- Eligible if the victim consents to the applicant's employment
Correct answer: Permanently disqualified from TSO employment
Under federal law (Lautenberg Amendment) and TSA policy, a misdemeanor conviction for domestic violence permanently disqualifies an individual from positions requiring access to firearms or security-sensitive areas.
Question 6: How long must a TSO applicant have been a U.S. citizen or national prior to applying?
- No waiting period — citizenship at time of application is sufficient (Correct answer)
- At least 1 year prior to application
- At least 3 years prior to application
- At least 5 years prior to application
Correct answer: No waiting period — citizenship at time of application is sufficient
TSA requires applicants to be a U.S. citizen or national at the time of application; there is no minimum duration of citizenship required.
Question 7: What education credential is required at minimum to be hired as a TSO?
- Associate's degree or higher
- High school diploma, GED, or one year of full-time security work experience (Correct answer)
- Bachelor's degree in criminal justice
- Completion of a TSA-approved vocational training program
Correct answer: High school diploma, GED, or one year of full-time security work experience
Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, or alternatively one year of full-time experience in security work.
TSO Credential Requirements 2
Which document type is NOT acceptable as a standalone List A document for TSO I-9 employment eligibility verification?