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UK Civil Aviation Regulations

These are published by the CAA on our UK Regulations pages. EU Regulations and EASA Access Guides published by EASA no longer apply in the UK. Our website and publications are being reviewed to update all references. Any references to EU law and EASA Access guides should be disregarded and where applicable the equivalent UK versions referred to instead.

ATCO English language proficiency endorsements

Information for gaining and maintaining English language proficiency endorsements

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ATCO Level 6 English language proficiency (ELP) endorsements

In accordance with UK Regulation (EU) 2015/340 the validity period for Level 6 (expert) English Language Proficiency Endorsement (ELP) for Air Traffic Controllers (ATCO) is currently set at 9 years.

The CAA has issued ORS4 No. 1567 which extends the validity of all ELP endorsements, shown on the UK ATCO 2015/340 licence until 22 December 2025.

This extension is only applicable to holders of Level 6 ELP endorsements which are set to expire before 22 December 2025.

There is no requirement for ATCOs holding Level 6 ELP endorsements to apply for this extension as this will be set by default, even if not shown on their licence.

This extension has been put in place pending a potential amendment to UK Regulation (EU) 2015/340 relating to the validity period of level 6 ELP endorsements.

Reissue of licences



As stated above, the ELP extension to 22 December 2025 does not need to be shown on an ATCOs licence and is set by default and the CAA does not intend to reissue ATCO licences.

Should an ATCO licence be reissued for any other reason e.g., change of address or charge of name, the CAA will reissue the licence with the ELP expiry date set to 22 December 2025, providing the existing ELP expiry date shown on the licence is before 22 December 2025.

If the existing ELP expiry date is after the 22 December 2025 that date will remain on the licence.

Close Reissue of licences

Student ATCOs



An applicant applying for a student ATCO licence will have passed a Level 6 English Language Proficiency assessment as part of their initial training and will be given an ELP endorsement on the issue of their student licence with the validity period of 9 years.

Close Student ATCOs

ATCOs whose ELP endorsement has expired



An ATCO whose ELP has currently expired, will be required to complete a Level 6 English Language Proficiency assessment at an approved training organisation. On successful completion of the assessment, they should apply for the renewed ELP endorsement to be included on their licence on form SRG1426. This will also be issued for a validity period of 9 years.

Close ATCOs whose ELP endorsement has expired

ATCO Level four and Level five ELP Endorsements.



There have been no exemptions given for the validity periods of Level four and Level five ELP licence endorsements.

Level four is valid for three years and Level five for six years.

Application for the revalidation or renewal of Level four and five ELP endorsements should be made on form SRG1426.

Close ATCO Level four and Level five ELP Endorsements.

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