49 C.F.R. Subpart E—Screener Qualifications When the Foreign Air Carrier Conducts Screening
Title 49 - Transportation
(a) Foreign air carrier screening. This subpart applies when the foreign air carrier is conducting inspections as provided in §1546.207(c). (b) Current screeners. As used in this subpart, “current screener” means each individual who first performed screening functions before the date the foreign air carrier must begin use of the new screener training program provided by TSA. Until November 19, 2002, each current screener must comply with §1546.403. Until November 19, 2002, each foreign air carrier must apply §1546.403 for each current screener. On and after November 19, 2002, each current screener must comply with §§1546.405 through 1546.411, and each foreign air carrier must comply with §§1546.405 through 1546.411 for such individuals. (c) New screeners. As used in this subpart, “new screener” means each individual who first performs screening functions on and after TSA orders the foreign air carrier to begin use of the new screener training program provided by TSA. Each foreign air carrier must apply §§1546.405 through 1546.411 for new screeners. The foreign air carrier must ensure that each current screener it uses to perform screening functions meet the qualifications and training standards set forth in its security program. This section is no longer effective on and after November 19, 2002. (a) No individual subject to this subpart may perform a screening function unless that individual has the qualifications described in §§1546.405 through 1546.411. No foreign air carrier may use such an individual to perform a screening function unless that person complies with the requirements of §§1546.405 through 1546.411. (b) A screener must have a satisfactory or better score on a screener selection 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 education and experience that TSA has determined to be sufficient for the individual to perform the duties of the position. (e) A screener must have basic aptitudes and physical abilities including color perception, visual and aural acuity, 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 specified in the foreign air carrier'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 location. (4) Screeners who perform physical searches or other related operations must be able to efficiently and thoroughly 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 dexterity and capability to thoroughly conduct those procedures over an individual'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 instructions regarding the proper performance of screening duties; (2) Read English language identification media, credentials, airline tickets, documents, air waybills, invoices, and labels on items normally encountered in the screening process; (3) Provide direction to and understand and answer questions from English-speaking individuals undergoing screening; and (4) Write incident reports and statements and log entries into security records in the English language. (g) At locations outside the United States that are the last point of departure to the United States, and where the foreign air carrier has operational control over a screening function, the foreign air carrier may use screeners who do not meet the requirements of paragraph (f) of this section. At such locations the foreign air carrier may use screeners who are not United States citizens. (a) Training required. Before performing screening functions, an individual must have completed initial, recurrent, and appropriate specialized training as specified in this section and the foreign air carrier's security program. No foreign air carrier may use any screener, screener in charge, or checkpoint security supervisor unless that individual has satisfactorily completed the required training. This paragraph does not prohibit the performance of screening functions during on-the-job training as provided in §1544.409(b). (b) Use of training programs. Training for screeners must be conducted under programs provided by TSA. Training programs for screeners-in-charge and checkpoint security supervisors must be conducted in accordance with the foreign air carrier's security program. (c) Classroom instruction. Each screener must complete at least 40 hours of classroom instruction or successfully complete a program that TSA determines will train individuals to a level of proficiency equivalent to the level that would be achieved by such classroom instruction. (d) Screener readiness test. Before beginning on-the-job training, a screener trainee must pass the screener readiness test prescribed by TSA. (e) On-the-job training and testing. Each screener must complete at least 60 hours of on-the-job training and must pass an on-the-job training test prescribed by TSA. No foreign air carrier may permit a screener trainee to exercise independent judgment as a screener, until the individual passes an on-the-job training test prescribed by TSA. (f) Knowledge requirements. Each foreign air carrier must ensure that individuals performing as screeners, screeners-in-charge, and checkpoint security supervisors for the foreign air carrier have knowledge of the provisions of this part, the foreign air carrier's security program, and applicable emergency amendments to the foreign air carrier's security program to the extent necessary to perform their duties. (a) Cheating or other unauthorized conduct. (1) Except as authorized by TSA, no person may— (i) Copy or intentionally remove a test under this part; (ii) Give to another or receive from another any part or copy of that test; (iii) Give help on that test to or receive help on that test from any person during the period that the test is being given; or (iv) Use any material or aid during the period that the test is being given. (2) No person may take any part of that test on behalf of another person. (3) No person may cause, assist, or participate intentionally in any act prohibited by this paragraph (a). (b) Administering and monitoring screener tests. (1) Each foreign air carrier must notify TSA of the time and location at which it will administer each screener readiness test required under §1544.405 (d). (2) Either TSA or the foreign air carrier must administer and monitor the screener readiness test. Where more than one foreign air carrier or foreign air carrier uses a screening location, TSA may authorize an employee of one or more of the foreign air carriers or foreign air carriers to monitor the test for a trainee who will screen at that location. (3) If TSA or a representative of TSA is not available to administer and monitor a screener readiness test, the foreign air carrier must provide a direct employee to administer and monitor the screener readiness test. (4) An foreign air carrier employee who administers and monitors a screener readiness test must not be an instructor, screener, screener-in-charge, checkpoint security supervisor, or other screening supervisor. The employee must be familiar with the procedures for administering and monitoring the test and must be capable of observing whether the trainee or others are engaging in cheating or other unauthorized conduct. (a) Impairment. No individual may perform a screening function if he or she shows evidence of impairment, such as impairment due to illegal drugs, sleep deprivation, medication, or alcohol. (b) Training not complete. An individual who has not completed the training required by §1546.405 may be deployed during the on-the-job portion of training to perform security functions provided that the individual— (1) Is closely supervised; and (2) Does not make independent judgments as to whether individuals or property may enter a sterile area or aircraft without further inspection. (c) Failure of operational test. No foreign air carrier may use an individual to perform a screening function after that individual has failed an operational test related to that function, until that individual has successfully completed the remedial training specified in the foreign air carrier's security program. (d) Annual proficiency review. Each individual assigned screening duties shall receive an annual evaluation. The foreign air carrier must conduct and document an annual evaluation of each individual who performs screening functions. An individual who performs screening functions may not continue to perform such functions unless the evaluation demonstrates that the individual— (1) Continues to meet all qualifications and standards required to perform a screening function; (2) Has a satisfactory record of performance and attention to duty based on the standards and requirements in the foreign air carrier's security program; and (3) Demonstrates the current knowledge and skills necessary to courteously, vigilantly, and effectively perform screening functions.
Title 49: Transportation
PART 1546—FOREIGN AIR CARRIER SECURITY
Subpart E—Screener Qualifications When the Foreign Air Carrier Conducts Screening
§ 1546.401 Applicability of this subpart.
§ 1546.403 Current screeners.
§ 1546.405 New screeners: Qualifications of screening personnel.
§ 1546.407 New screeners: Training, testing, and knowledge of individuals who perform screening functions.
§ 1546.409 New screeners: Integrity of screener tests.
§ 1546.411 New screeners: Continuing qualifications for screening personnel.
