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Armed Security Officer (ASO) Program
Welcome to the Armed Security Officer (ASO) Program application process! Please carefully read and complete each step of the application process listed below.
Application Process Summary
- ASO Nomination Form
- Fingerprinting
- Application Package
- Law Enforcement Training Certification
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management Standard Form 85P
- Lautenberg Certification Form
- Sensitive Security Information (SSI) Non Disclosure Agreement Form
- FAA Class II Medical Certificate
- Letter of authorization from the applicant’s current agency (if applicable)
- Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) field office appointment (turn in application package)
- Background Check/Applicant Disposition (approved/disapproved)
- Training/ASO Authorization
Application Process
1) ASO Nomination Form
Each ASO candidate must be nominated (sponsored) by a Fixed Base Operator (FBO) or an aircraft operator as the first step in the application process.
To begin, print out and complete the ASO Nomination Form. There are two parts to the form:
- Part 1 of the form must be completed and signed by you, the applicant.
- Part 2 of the form must be completed and signed by an authorized representative of the FBO or aircraft operator nominating you to participate in the ASO Program.
Once both parts are completed, please fax the form to (703) 487-3025.
Upon receipt of the faxed ASO Nomination Form, a local Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) field office representative will contact you and schedule an appointment for you to submit your application package.
NOTE: Keep the signed original form for your application package, and have the FBO or aircraft operator retain a copy for their records.
2) Fingerprinting
This should be done as soon as possible, and can be done prior to your FAMS field office appointment!
A representative of the FBO or aircraft operator will provide you with printed instructions on where and how to be fingerprinted. The representative will also discuss with you certain costs involved in the fingerprinting process.
Fingerprinting Process Overview
Fingerprinting for a Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) will need to be completed per the directions outlined via the NATA or TSC websites (see below). Both websites provide similar registration processes that will allow each operator to initiate the CHRC process or DASSP endorsement for each applicant. The directions are as follows:
Each aircraft operator or FBO with a DASSP (DCA Access Standard Security Plan) must register security coordinators, armed security officers, and flight crewmembers as appropriate as directed in the DASSP. To do this, the operator (or designee) must log onto one of the following two websites:
Once the operator enters basic personal information for you, you will be assigned a unique identifier (UID) and password which will allow you to log onto the same website the operator used (either TSC or NATA) and fill out the online fingerprint application.
After filling in all required fields, print the documents (do NOT sign until in the presence of the fingerprint collector).
Make an appointment to go to a fingerprint collection site with the application and 2 forms of ID. You may also need to bring a fingerprint card, which you can get from TSC or NATA, and your own prepaid shipping envelope--check with the collector.
Your fingerprints will be taken via fingerprint cards or electronically.
All documents and/or fingerprint cards should be mailed directly from the collection site to TSC or NATA (depending upon which website you log on to) via FedEx, DHL or Priority Mail to ensure that the package can be tracked and minimizes the risk of it getting lost. The addresses are:
Transportation Security Clearinghouse
GA-DCA Program Coordinator
601 Madison Street, Suite 400
Alexandria, VA 22314National Fingerprint Collection Clearinghouse
GA-DCA Program Coordinator
2740 SW Martin Downs Blvd, Number 283
Palm City, FL 34990
3)Application Package
a. Law Enforcement Training Certification
Obtain documentation certifying that you have completed a program of basic law enforcement training. This documentation may consist of a copy of your graduation certificate or a signed letter from an authorized representative of the training facility attesting to your successful completion of training. This documentation must be included with your application package.
b. U.S. Office of Personnel Management Standard Form 85P
Print out and complete the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Standard Form 85P (Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions). Important: You do not have to complete items 10, 14, 15, 17, and 19 on the SF 85P.
The standard waiver at the end of the form must be completed and signed. The medical waiver does not need to be completed. The completed form must be included with your application package.
c. Lautenberg Certification Form
Print out a Lautenberg Certification Form affirming that you have not been convicted of any domestic violence offence. Do NOT sign the form. Bring it with you to the FAMS field office where you submit your application package. You will sign the form in the presence of the FAMS representative who receives your application.
d. Sensitive Security Information (SSI) Non Disclosure Agreement
Print out a copy of the Sensitive Security Information (SSI) Non Disclosure Agreement. Do NOT sign the agreement. Bring it with you to the FAMS field office when you submit it as part of your application package. You will sign the agreement in the presence of a FAMS representative who receives your application.
e. FAA Class II Medical Certificate
The certificate must be completed by an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). Be sure to bring a copy of the certificate along with the other materials in your application package.
The FAA publishes a directory that lists them by name and address (see below link). You can get a copy from any FAA Flight Standards District Office, air traffic control facility, or flight service station. Airport managers and some aviation businesses may also be able to supply this information.
Click here to locate an Aviation Medical Examiner
f. Letter of Authorization
If you are a currently active law enforcement officer, you must provide, on agency letterhead, written authorization from your supervisor or agency authorizing official to participate in the ASO program. The letter must also indicate whether or not you are authorized to use your department- or agency-issued firearm in connection with the ASO program. If use of your department- or agency-issued firearm is authorized, the letter must state the make, model, caliber, and serial number of the weapon. Weapons and ammunition must be of a type approved by TSA.
4) FAMS Field Office Appointment
As stated in Step 1, you will be contacted and scheduled for appointment at a FAMS field office to submit your completed application package for initial processing. While there, you will review and sign the Non Disclosure Agreement and Lautenberg Certification Form, be photographed, and provide an electronic signature that will be used to prepare your ASO credentials. You must bring two (2) pieces of government-issued identification (i.e. driver's license, military ID, voter registration card, law enforcement credentials, etc.) in order to be processed.
5) Background Check/Applicant Disposition
TSA will be notified of fingerprint results and once the ASO nominee is cleared and all paperwork has been submitted, the FAMS will be notified that you are approved for training. The FAMS POC will then contact you to set up a training date.
6) Training/Authorization
It is imperative that during this process you do not use the "BACK" button in the Internet icon bar. Please follow the links provided during the process.Prior to your training date, you must pay for the training at www.pay.gov.
Should you require assistance for this method, please contact the Office of Revenue, Rose Kline at 571-227-1089.
Pay via www.pay.gov on a secure Internet remittance platform, using direct withdrawal from a bank account (ACH Debit in U.S. dollars) or Credit Card (MasterCard, American Express, Visa, and Discover). This option is provided free of charge to the ASO applicants.
- Go to http://www.pay.gov.
- Go to link "Find Public Forms" and select "By Form Name".
- Select the letter "F" and then select "FAMS TRAINING REQUEST"
- Enter name, point of contact information (phone number, home mailing address or your business address, phone number and e-mail address), and select training dates from the drop down menu. The amount has been preset to $490.
- Click "Submit Data" button at the bottom of the page.
- Enter account information and click "Continue with ACH Payment" or select Credit Card Payment.
- Review Payment Summary and Authorization, check the box for the authorization and disclosure statement, and then click on "Submit Data" button.
- Click "Print a Copy" for your records.
- You will receive an email confirmation from the Federal Reserve Bank in Cleveland upon successful completion of the transaction.
NOTE: You must provide a copy of the receipt of payment to the FAMS field office when you arrive for training. You will NOT be permitted into the training session without the receipt of payment.
For two days you will learn policies and procedures, Use of Force guidelines, defensive tactics, and become proficient with a firearm at a local FAMS field office. On the second day, you will be expected to pass a written exam and pass a firearms qualification course.
If you pass the written exam and pass the firearm qualification course, you will be issued ASO credentials, at which time you will be authorized by the TSA to serve on scheduled general aviation flights into DCA as required by the DASSP.
Should you have any questions regarding the process, please click here, or contact the ASO program office at (703) 563-3210 or via email at TSOC.ASO@dhs.gov.
