Your Guide to the Transportation
Security Officer Application Process
Getting Started
NO RESUME REQUIRED
You may choose to build a resume in USAJOBS, but
resumes are not required for the TSO position. To avoid
submitting a resume, and to get through the application
faster, follow these steps:
1. On the Select Resume page, choose Build Resume.
2. The Resume Builder model will appear. Enter “Blank”
into the Resume Name field and click Next.
3. Under Add Work Experience, select the check box
next to “I do not wish to provide work experience”
and click Next; select the check box next to “I do not
wish to provide education” and click Next; and then
select the check box next to “References available
upon request” and click Finish.
4. You will be directed to the Review Package screen.
Click the check box next to “I acknowledge that I
reviewed my resume and document(s)” and click Save
and Continue.
5. You will be able to proceed through the remainder of
the application.
QUICK TIPS AND HELPFUL INFORMATION
• Veterans must enter their military information/dates
in their USAJOBS Profile prior to starting the TSA
application.
• Selective Service Registration Requirement: TSA
policy requires verification of Selective Service
registration for male applicants born after 12/31/59.
You can check if you are registered at www.sss.gov/
verify. Females are exempt. Other exemptions exist.
• No documents are required to be assigned/attached
at the time of application. Documents can be
submitted later in the hiring process. Please click
continue twice to proceed with the remainder of the
application.
Once at the Review and Submit page, please check
the box to acknowledge that all supporting
documents have been assigned to an Accepted
Document type on the Document Page, even though
you have not attached any documents.
• To apply for the TSO position, your application must
be submitted via USAJOBS. You are not able to
complete your application on Indeed or any other job
boards.
• If you do not receive an email stating that you are
eligible or ineligible for the position after applying,
you most likely did not successfully submit your
application. Please refer to the tips on this page to
make sure all steps were completed.
What is a TSO?
Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) are the backbone of the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) agency to millions of travelers a day. They are responsible for screening
passengers, baggage and cargo to keep our transportation systems safe.
For more information, visit jobs.tsa.gov/tso
TSA is an equal opportunity employer.
Name
Blank
I do not wish to
provide work
experience
Work Experience
Follow These Steps to Apply
1. FIND A JOB OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT (JOA)
On jobs.tsa.gov/tso, scroll to the search bar at the
bottom of the page to browse open TSO positions.
Click on a job title to view the full description, and if
it seems like the right fit, click “APPLY”.
2. APPLY ON USAJOBS.GOV
Click the blue “APPLY” button on the right to begin
your application. If you are not signed in, this will
prompt you to sign in or create a USAJOBS account
(see other side).
3. CREATE AN ACCOUNT
Applicants must create an account on USAJOBS to
apply. When creating an account, you will be directed
to login.gov (a secure federal pass-through portal that
uses two-factor authentication to keep your
information safe). To create an account, you will need
access to your email and cell-phone. Once you
confirm your email address and create a strong
password, it will prompt you to add a phone number
to receive a security code. Each time you log in, you
will receive a security code by text or call to complete
the required two-step authentication process.
Once you are logged in, you will need to partially
complete your USAJOBS Profile. Please complete the
Contact and Eligibility sections in your profile — these
are required to apply!
Note: If you are a Veteran, you must enter your
military experience in your USAJOBS Profile to
proceed with the application.
When your profile is complete, go back to the JOA
and click Apply to continue with the application.
4. RESUME NOT REQUIRED
A resume is NOT required to apply for the TSO
position. Follow the steps on the other side to bypass
the resume creation process.
5. DEMOGRAPHICS
Add your demographic details, answer the optional
survey questions and certify all information. You will
be redirected to the TSA Jobs website to add
personal information.
6. QUESTIONNAIRE
Pay special attention to the Minimum Qualifications
question - if you have a high school diploma or GED,
the answer is Yes.
All questions from 2-42 pertain to felonies
committed in the last 10 years. If you have not been
convicted of a felony in the last 10 years, you may
select No for questions 2-42.
7. REVIEW AND SUBMIT
Review your answers and submit your application
when you are ready by clicking the SUBMIT
APPLICATION button at the top or bottom of the
page. Once submitted, you should receive an email
that confirms if you have passed the eligibility
requirements for the TSO role. This could take several
minutes.
8. PROCTORED ASSESSMENT
The next step in the TSO hiring process is to
schedule and complete the proctored computer
based assessment. You will receive an email
invitation from usastaffingoffice@opm.gov with a
link to schedule the proctored examination at a test
center near you. You must schedule and complete the
proctored assessment within 21 calendar days upon
receiving the invitation. Failure to comply with this
deadline will result in your application being closed.
To schedule the proctored test you must use a
desktop or laptop computer. You will not be able to
schedule the test with the link provided on a mobile
device (Android, iPhone or tablet).
If you received an email stating that you were
ineligible for the TSO position, please review your
application for any errors and resubmit.
For more information, visit jobs.tsa.gov/tso
TSA is an equal opportunity employer.
