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Best traffic control specialist certifications
Traffic control specialist certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an traffic control specialist to employers. However, not all traffic control specialist certifications provide the same value for job seekers.
The best certifications for a traffic control specialist are Flagger (Instructor), Traffic Control Design Specialist (TCDS), and Air Traffic Control Tower Operator (CTO).
Below is a list of the best traffic control specialist certifications. Obtaining an traffic control specialist certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
7 best certifications for traffic control specialists
| Rank | Traffic control specialist certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flagger (Instructor) | NSC |
| 2 | Traffic Control Design Specialist (TCDS) | ATSSA |
| 3 | Air Traffic Control Tower Operator (CTO) | FAA |
| 4 | Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) | NBAA |
| 5 | OSHA Safety Certificate | Delaware Tech... |
| 6 | Traffic Control Technician (TCT) | ATSSA |
| 7 | Certified Weather Observer | NWS |
7 best traffic control specialist certifications
1. Flagger (Instructor)
In the Flagger Training Instructor Course, you'll learn to teach work zone crews standard flagging procedures and how to provide safe passage in and around work areas. Get certified to deliver the Flagger Training Course to your work zone crews. No prerequisites required.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
2. Traffic Control Design Specialist (TCDS)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 4 year(s)
3. Air Traffic Control Tower Operator (CTO)
A Control Tower Operator (CTO) is a tower-rated controller, meaning the individual is rated and tested on ground control, tower flight data, and local control within the tower. Before receiving a CTO permit an individual will normally attend the FAA Air Traffic Control Academy. Equivalent training could be with the U.S. Military or civilian equivalent schools. All Air Traffic Controllers will take the Airman's Written Test (AWT) before controlling aircraft. Once arriving on station or airport, the trainee will sign on position with qualified controllers known as On-the-Job Training Instructors (OJTIs) until the trainee can handle the normal facility traffic and any contingency situations that may arise. At this point the trainee undergoes a 'check ride,' where he or she is observed under normal operating conditions and traffic load. If the check ride is favorable on all positions within the tower, then he or she will be issued a CTO permit by the FAA to work all Tower positions (radar positions entail separate training) within the control tower at that particular facility.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
4. Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)
NBAA's Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Program identifies qualified professionals to lead flight departments and companies that use business aircraft. Join the ranks of esteemed aviation professionals who have already been recognized as Certified Aviation Managers and apply for the CAM Exam today.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
5. OSHA Safety Certificate
This 40-hour program covers both the Construction 1926 and General Industry 1910 Standards, how to effectively interpret the Federal Register, health issues related to a work environment, recognition of physical hazards related to the violation of OSHA standards, and employer implementation of their own pro-active safety and health procedures.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
6. Traffic Control Technician (TCT)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 4 year(s)
7. Certified Weather Observer
Certified Weather Observer. This certification is the means employed by the NWS to officially sanction the upper air, aviation weather, and visibility-only observations used in the preparation of forecasts and warnings, and the support of aviation operations. All certified observers and all candidates for certification must have distant vision, corrected if necessary, of not less than 20/30 in the better eye. It is recommended that candidates complete training courses before applying for this credential. Candidates must pass a written examination. Before taking the examination, individuals will demonstrate to the satisfaction of their supervisor or other designated certificated observer, the ability to take, record, encode, and disseminate timely and accurate weather observations in accordance with the practices and procedures established in the appropriate observing documents. Certification examinations will only be given to individuals whose duties include taking weather observations with the exception of certain NWS and FAA personnel who are involved in training or managing the observers or the program. More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
What is the best certification for a traffic control specialist?
The best traffic control specialist certification is Flagger (Instructor). The Flagger (Instructor) is awarded by the National Safety Council.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this traffic control specialist certification:
- To become a certified Flagger (Instructor), you don't need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- No renewal for certification, if you earn it once it is valid all time.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for traffic control specialists?
The most in-demand traffic control specialist certification is Air Traffic Control Tower Operator based on all active job postings. Having this traffic control specialist certification will give you access to more traffic control specialist jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a traffic control specialist career and salary?
The Traffic Control Design Specialist certification will help you to secure a air traffic controller position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A air traffic controller's average salary is $64,336 whereas traffic control specialists make an average salary of $42,315.
The most common combination of traffic control specialist certifications include: Flagger (Instructor), Traffic Control Design Specialist (TCDS), and Air Traffic Control Tower Operator (CTO).
Online courses for traffic control specialists to earn certifications
1. VPC Flow Logs - Analyzing Network Traffic
This is a self-paced lab that takes place in the Google Cloud console. In this lab, you configure a network to record traffic to and from an apache web server using VPC Flow Logs. You then export the logs to BigQuery to analyze them...
2. Creating Routing Policies to Handle Traffic with AWS Route53
In this 2-hour long project based course, we will look at how to handle and divert website traffic to multiple servers using Routing Policies in AWS Route 53. We will look at how you can configure different types of Routing Policies. We will start off with Simple Routing Policy which can be used to divert traffic to multiple servers / IP’s randomly. Then we will look at Weight Routing Policy which allows you to split your traffic based on different weights assigned. We will then move on to...
3. MikroTik Traffic Control with LABS
Learn advanced Mikro Tik Firewall, QOS HTB, Packet flow, DHCP and DNS topics & be ready for the Mikro Tik MTCTCE exam...
4. Applied Control Systems 3: UAV drone (3D Dynamics & control)
Modeling + state space systems + Model Predictive Control + feedback control + Python simulation: UAV quadcopter drone...
5. Control Systems: From Mathematical Modelling to PID Control
Learn the mathematics that will allow you to model and control any engineering system. Make machines do what you want!...
6. PID Controllers - Intro to Control Design
Learn to write your own control software while learning fundamental control theory...
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8. Airline Operations: Flight Planning and Flight Dispatch
Airline Operations: Master the essentials of aviation - aircraft operational control and dispatch...
9. Complete Meta Traffic Ads (Meta CPC) Course + ChatGPT Guide
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11. Internal Controls - Design, Implementation and Monitoring
Become a compliance specialist, maintain strong internal controls for SOX or FCPA, prepare for internal & external audit...
12. Control Systems Made Simple Beginner's Guide
Learn fundamentals of Mechanical & electrical system modeling, simulation and control with this unique practical course!...
13. Model, Simulate and Control a Drone in MATLAB & SIMULINK
Simulate a DJI Mavic Pro in Matlab & SIMULINK and design your own PID controllers for altitude and attitude control...
14. Applied Control Systems 1: autonomous cars: Math + PID + MPC
Modeling + state space systems + PID + Model Predictive Control + Python simulation: lateral control for autonomous cars...
15. Facebook Marketing: Next Level Traffic Generation Strategies
Deploy these proven & tested Facebook advertising hacks and drive thousands of visitors to your website every day!...
16. Project Schedule: Monitor & Control Specialist (Accredited)
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17. Inventory Management: Safety Stock Calculation and Control
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18. Bank Reconciliations & Cash Internal Controls
Mastering Internal Controls and Cash Management: Safeguarding Business Assets and Ensuring Financial Accuracy...
19. SAP Controlling
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20. Advanced Process Control & Safety Instrumented Systems SIS
Learn how the main process equipment such as chemical reactors , pumps , compressors & heat exchangers are controlled...