TSO Credential Requirements 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of background investigation is conducted on TSO candidates before they receive a security clearance determination?
- Top Secret/SCI full-scope polygraph
- Tier 1 National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) (Correct answer)
- Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI)
- Minimal Background Investigation (MBI)
Correct answer: Tier 1 National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI)
TSO candidates undergo a Tier 1 NACI, which includes checks of national agency records, local law enforcement, and written inquiries appropriate for low-risk public trust positions.
Question 2: A TSO applicant tested positive for marijuana on the pre-employment drug test but holds a valid medical marijuana card in a state where it is legal. What is the likely outcome?
- Applicant is granted a medical waiver and may proceed
- Applicant is disqualified because federal law governs TSA employment (Correct answer)
- Applicant must retest after a 90-day abstinence period
- Applicant may continue if a physician certifies medical necessity
Correct answer: Applicant is disqualified because federal law governs TSA employment
TSA is a federal agency and follows federal law, under which marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance; state medical marijuana laws do not provide an exemption.
Question 3: Which of the following controlled substances is NOT included in the standard TSA pre-employment 5-panel drug test?
- Cocaine
- Amphetamines
- Opiates
- Benzodiazepines (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Benzodiazepines
The standard federal 5-panel test screens for marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and phencyclidine (PCP); benzodiazepines are not part of the standard panel.
Question 4: TSA requires TSO applicants to meet a vision standard. Which statement correctly describes this requirement?
- 20/20 uncorrected vision is required in both eyes
- Distant vision must be correctable to 20/30 in each eye (Correct answer)
- Color vision deficiency is an automatic disqualifier
- Near vision must be 20/40 in the better eye without correction
Correct answer: Distant vision must be correctable to 20/30 in each eye
TSA requires distant visual acuity correctable to 20/30 in each eye with or without corrective lenses; uncorrected 20/20 is not required.
Question 5: What is the purpose of the TSA Applicant Medical Questionnaire submitted during the hiring process?
- To determine eligibility for health insurance benefits
- To identify medical conditions that may affect ability to perform essential job functions (Correct answer)
- To assess mental health history for psychological screening
- To establish baseline health for future workers' compensation claims
Correct answer: To identify medical conditions that may affect ability to perform essential job functions
The medical questionnaire helps TSA determine whether any medical conditions would prevent the applicant from performing the essential physical and cognitive functions required of a TSO.
Question 6: Under TSA's pre-employment requirements, an applicant who used cocaine recreationally two years ago would be:
- Automatically disqualified for any past illegal drug use
- Evaluated on a case-by-case basis considering recency and patterns of use (Correct answer)
- Eligible if they pass the current drug test and disclose past use
- Required to complete a substance abuse program before hiring
Correct answer: Evaluated on a case-by-case basis considering recency and patterns of use
TSA evaluates past drug use on a case-by-case basis, considering factors such as recency, frequency, and whether the use reflects a pattern of poor judgment.
Question 7: TSO candidates must demonstrate proficiency in reading and writing English. This requirement exists primarily because:
- Federal Equal Employment law mandates bilingual screening
- Effective communication in English is essential for security instructions and reporting (Correct answer)
- TSA operates exclusively in domestic English-speaking airports
- Applicants must pass a Spanish proficiency waiver if bilingual
Correct answer: Effective communication in English is essential for security instructions and reporting
TSOs must read security directives, write incident reports, and communicate screening instructions clearly in English, making English proficiency a genuine job requirement.
TSO Credential Requirements 3
Which type of background investigation is conducted on TSO candidates before they receive a security clearance determination?