[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 8]
[Revised as of October 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR1544.405]

[Page 346-347]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
   CHAPTER XII--TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
                            HOMELAND SECURITY
 
PART 1544_AIRCRAFT OPERATOR SECURITY: AIR CARRIERS AND COMMERCIAL 
OPERATORS--Table of Contents
 
 Subpart E_Screener Qualifications When the Aircraft Operator Performs 
                                Screening
 
Sec. 1544.405  New screeners: Qualifications of screening personnel.

    (a) No individual subject to this subpart may perform a screening 
function unless that individual has the qualifications described in 
Sec. Sec. 1544.405 through 1544.411. No aircraft operator may use such 
an individual to perform a screening function unless that person 
complies with the requirements of Sec. Sec. 1544.405 through 1544.411.
    (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 
the 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 aircraft operator'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--

[[Page 347]]

    (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 where the aircraft 
operator has operational control over a screening function, the aircraft 
operator may use screeners who do not meet the requirements of paragraph 
(f) of this section, provided that at least one representative of the 
aircraft operator who has the ability to functionally read and speak 
English is present while the aircraft operator's passengers are 
undergoing security screening. At such locations the aircraft operator 
may use screeners who are not United States citizens.