TSA accepts candidates of all different backgrounds and experience levels. Our basic requirements include: U.S. citizen or national. 18 years of age or older.

Yes, according to the official job requirements in 2026, all Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) must be U.S. citizens or U.S. Nationals. This is a non-negotiable requirement for employment with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), as it is a federal law enforcement agency within the Department of Homeland Security. In addition to citizenship, applicants must be at least 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or equivalent, and pass a rigorous background check, credit check, and drug screening. Interestingly, the TSA recently updated its terminology in 2026 regulations to align with the Immigration and Nationality Act, replacing phrases like "non-U.S. citizen" with "alien" in their technical documentation, but the core requirement remains: only those with U.S. citizenship can serve as the frontline agents who screen passengers and baggage at American airports.

Yes, TSA agents (Transportation Security Officers) are required to be U.S. citizens.

This is a federal employment requirement for most positions within the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which is part of the Department of Homeland Security.

Here are the key details:

• Citizenship: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals.
• Background Check: They must pass a comprehensive background investigation, including fingerprinting and a check of criminal history, credit, and other records.
• Selective Service: Male applicants born after 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service System or have an approved exemption.

There are a few, very limited exceptions: In rare cases, the TSA may hire non-citizens if there are no qualified U.S. citizen applicants available for a specific, hard-to-fill position that is deemed critical to the agency’s mission. However, this is extremely uncommon and not the standard pathway for becoming a Transportation Security Officer.

For other roles at TSA, such as certain administrative, IT, or specialist positions, the citizenship requirement is standard for federal employment, though there can be exceptions for specific hiring authorities.

In summary: If you want to be a frontline TSA officer screening passengers and baggage at an airport, U.S. citizenship is a mandatory requirement.