UK aviation security instructors delivering training under the National Aviation Security Programme (NASP) must be certificated by the DfT before they can deliver training. Upon certification, instructors are now issued with a unique Certificated Instructor Number (CIN).
An application form is available for requesting certification and must be completed and returned to the CAA at the email address below.
To become a certificated instructor and obtain a CIN, instructors must:
- provide a completed application form;
- provide details and evidence of competence for each of the aviation security syllabuses which they plan to deliver training from;
- have successfully completed a Level 3 Award in Education and Training or equivalent; or have a recognised qualification mapped as an alternative qualification (for more information please contact the CAA at the email address below),
- have successfully completed a valid background check in line with EU regulations;
- have obtained a valid Counter Terrorist Clearance (CTC) through the CAA Vetting Team;
- successfully demonstrate operational competencies for the relevant subject syllabuses. This can be evidenced through previous operational experience of working in the relevant aviation security area and / or familiarisation training and ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in the relevant subject area.
- Any instructor delivering the Recognition of Firearms and Explosives (RFX) module from any of the subject syllabuses where this is required will need to attend an initial RFXi course.
Please note that an individual cannot sponsor his/her own CTC application so for smaller organisations of up to 5 people, the CAA is prepared to act as a sponsor. For further information, please contact vetting@avsec.caa.co.uk
All UK certificated instructors whose details have been verified and given a Certificated Instructor Number (CIN) will be listed on our website with the following information displayed: name; CIN number and the syllabus(es) which the instructor is certificated to deliver. Please note that no contact or company details will be displayed.
Updated versions of the Certificated Instructors list will be published at the beginning of every month. Alterations will not be made to the published list until the next scheduled update but any instructors whose details are missing or incorrect should contact us at the e-mail address below in the interim period, to get their details added for when the next update is published:
Application requests and/or questions about obtaining CIN numbers and amending incorrect information, as well as any general training queries should be directed to the CAA at the following address: avsec.training@avsec.caa.co.uk.
Further guidance
Criteria for Certification of Instructors (CIN)
The following criteria are required to apply for certification as a DfT Certificated Instructor and gain a Certificated Instructor Number.
Please note different syllabuses require different criteria which must be met in order to design, deliver and assess that syllabus.
Please note: Grandfather rights for Instructors re-applying for a CIN following removal from the list is not acceptable after 1 January 2020. Evidence of a CAA approved Instructional Techniques course will be required.
Application for all CIN: Instructors must submit
- Application form
- Background check declaration (Section 3 of application form)
- Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance
- Certificate of completion of an Instructional Techniques Qualification (Level 3 Award in Educational Training, equivalent CAA approved qualification, or CAA approved in-house course). See List of alternative qualifications
- Photocopy of ID document
- Criminal Records Certificate (CRC)
- Be linked to a CAA-registered Training Provider or register as a new CAA-registered Training Provider if applying as an independent Instructor. (See Quality Assurance Framework section of the CAA website)
In addition you must meet syllabus specific criteria by submitting evidence to design, deliver and assess a syllabus.
Ground Security Officer (GSO) / Ground Security Supervisor (GSS)
- Occupational evidence: Aviation Security Manager (ASM)
- Occupational competence: Yes - See List of Occupational Competence for certification
- RFXI course: Yes - for design and delivery of module 4 of GSO.
In-flight Supplies (IFS)
- Occupational evidence: Aviation Security Manager (ASM)
- Occupational competence: Yes - see List of Occupational Competence for certification
- RFXI course: Yes - for design and delivery of module 3
Cargo Regulated Agent (RA) / Cargo Known Consigner (KC)
- Occupational experience: Cargo Managers Course
- Occupational competence: No
- RFXI course: Yes - for design and delivery of module 9 of Cargo RA and module 3 of Cargo KC
Airport Supplies
- Occupational experience: Aviation Security Manager (ASM)
- Occupational competence: No
- RFXI course - Yes - for design and delivery of module 3.
Aircrew
- Occupational experience: Aircrew Instructor Module - Aircrew Module 8;
- Occupational competence: Yes - Valid Aircrew certification modules 1-7;
- RFXI course - Yes - for design of module 6.
Hold Baggage Reconciliation (HBR/AAA) / General Security Awareness Training (GSAT) /Aircraft Search Training Package
- Occupational experience: Hold certification in one of the above syllabuses or Aviation Security Manager (ASM)
- Occupational competence: No
- RFXI course: No
Certification to deliver the RFX Instructors course is by individual CAA approval. Contact CAA for more details of becoming an RFX Instructor provider: avsec.training@avsec.caa.co.uk
Version 1: Last updated: 6 January 2022
Approval process for new Certificated Instructors
Queries that arise at any stage of the process should be directed to the CAA AvSec Training Team: avsec.training@avsec.caa.co.uk
Stage 1
Applicant completes application downloadable from CAA website and ensures background check declaration section is completed.
Stage 2
Applicant sends application form via email to avsec.training@avsec.caa.co.uk with the following attachments:
- Evidence of CTC clearance or CTC reference number
- Certificate of Level 3 Award in Education and Training, or equivalent CAA approved course/in house course
- Subject matter certificate(s)
- Evidence of occupational competence (if required)
- RFXI certificate (If required)
- Confirmation from a CAA-registered Training Provider that the applicant will be linked, or registration submitted for a new Training Provider
- Photocopy of ID document
- Criminal Records Certificate (CRC)
Stage 3
CAA will review application on behalf of the Department for Transport (DfT), and either:
- Send for approval; or
- Return to applicant requesting missing/additional information.
Stage 4
Once approved, a 'Confirmation of Details' letter will be emailed to the applicant confirming details of the applicant and the syllabuses being approved for certification.
Stage 5
Applicant MUST respond to the letter via email to confirm all details are correct. Certification will NOT be completed without confirmation from the applicant. This may delay or cancel your application if not completed.
Stage 6
Once the confirmation email is received from the applicant, a letter will be sent confirming certification and CIN number. On receipt of this letter the Instructor may begin training.
Stage 7
The CIN Instructor can request access to the NASP and DfT training syllabuses certificated for by contacting avsec.training@avsec.caa.co.uk
Stage 8
The CIN Instructor will be added to the CAA website CIN list on the next update. This is usually the 1st working day of the following month (within reason). The CIN instructor can contact the CAA if they are missing or information is incorrect after this time.
Instructors must notify the CAA of any change of details, and renewal of background/CTC Clearance.
Version 2: Last updated: 6 January 2022
List of acceptable evidence for Occupational Competence
Here follows a list of acceptable evidence for submission as part of an application to gain an Instructor Certification Number (CIN).
Evidence must be provided by sending documentation, as detailed below, for the indicated syllabuses under the UK NASP. For all syllabuses where occupational competence is required, certification for new instructors cannot be granted without suitable evidence. This includes existing instructors for other syllabuses looking to add a new category to their CIN.
Evidence of occupational competence confirms that new certificated instructors have the skills, knowledge, and understanding of the operational environment to ensure the training courses that they design and deliver are relevant to industry and include appropriate operational examples.
Occupational competence is required for the following DfT AvSec syllabuses:
- Ground Security Operative (GSO)
- In-flight Supplies (IFS)
The following documents may be submitted electronically to evidence occupational competence:
- Most recent Initial/Recurrent training record /certificate
- Signed declaration from a current Certificated Instructor / Security Manager / Training Manager confirming dates of on-job-training/operational familiarisation sessions
- Observation report from a supervisor to confirm familiarisation of operational duties with dates, duration and feedback to the individual
- Evidence of CPD undertaken including CPD record and self-reflective statement
- CV with signed declaration (only if no other evidence from the above list can be provided)
Where the submitted evidence is older than five years, the CAA may ask additional questions or request that additional information is provided, before approving an application.
For more information, please contact CAA AvSec Training
Avsec.training@avsec.caa.co.uk
0207 453 5813
Version 1: Last updated: 6 February 2020