The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) published a final rule for the Flight Training Security Program (FTSP) that took effect on July 30, 2024. The updated and finalized regulation retains many of the interim final rule requirements. One major update is that all flight training providers (including those that train U.S. citizens) must register a provider account with FTSP.
The final rule also makes significant changes to reduce burdens on candidates and providers without impacting security. These changes include:
- Flight training providers must establish an account on the FTSP Portal and identify one person as the administrator for their FTSP Portal account. This person may be the security coordinator or another employee. This is required regardless of whether you provide flight training to non-U.S. citizens. (49 CFR §1552.17)
- You must designate a security coordinator to act as a single point of contact between you and the TSA. This requirement applies to all flight training providers, including those who only train U.S. citizens. (49 CFR §1552.9)
- Initial security awareness training must still be completed within 60 days of hire; however, refresher security awareness training is now required once every two years for each employee who has direct contact with flight students. (49 CFR §1552.13)
- Candidates must have a valid determination of eligibility to participate in flight training. (49 CFR §1552.31) NOTE: If a candidate’s determination of eligibility expires due to lawful presence documentation all training must cease until the candidate submits updated documentation of authorization to remain in the United States.
- Simplified process for identifying training events. Considerations of weight of the aircraft and training categories are eliminated from the regulation. There are no changes from the interim final rule as to what training events are covered. (49 CFR §1552.3)
- The provider notifies the TSA of all training event details. Candidates select providers through the portal; they no longer provide their training event details to the TSA. You must notify the TSA about scheduled candidate training event(s) through your portal account. (49 CFR §1552.51)
The TSA has several online resources available that provide guidance on the FTSP:
