Radio Operator's Certificate of Competence (ROCC) Examiners that satisfy the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as to their knowledge, competence and experience are granted the authority to conduct written and practical assessments for the issue of the (ROCC) on behalf of the Civil Aviation Authority.
Radio Operator's Certificate of Competence Examiners may only conduct written and practical assessments for the issue of the Radio Operator's Certificate of Competence (ROCC) in the category approved on the examiner’s certificate issued by the CAA.
The ROCC Examiners certificate is not transferrable or interchangeable between ROCC categories. Each ROCC category is separate, and a specific ROCC Examiners certificate must be held for each ROCC category required.
ROCC Examinations for the grant of an Aeronautical Radio Station Operator’s Certificate of Competence may be conducted in the UK or abroad. ROCCs issued as a result of a successful examination are restricted to use in United Kingdom airspace and territorial waters, or elsewhere when operating from a United Kingdom registered merchant vessel or an offshore installation within the meaning of article 17 of the Air Navigation Order 2016; if used outside these parameters, the certificate requires validating by the relevant regulatory authority.
Pre entry requirements
Applicants for ROCC Examiner certificate issue, revalidation and renewal shall demonstrate extensive knowledge and operational experience in the relevant ROCC role.
To become a CAA Authorised ROCC Examiner you need to have:
- Held a Radio Operator’s Certificate of Competence (Air Ground or Offshore) for at least 3 years in the category which is being applied for.
- Been operational at either an Air Ground Unit or an Offshore Unit for the preceding 2 years in the category which is being applied for.
Air Traffic Controllers (ATCO) and Flight Information Service Officer (FISO) who apply must hold a ROCC.
For Clearance Delivery Officer (CDO) please contact relevant Inspector ATS to comply with the Unit approval.
ROCC Parachute (PARA) Examiners are not issued by the authority.
There is no Examiner authorisation for a Flying Display Directors (FDD).
Applicants must ensure that they have not been subject to any sanctions, including the suspension, limitation or revocation of any of their licences, ratings or certificates, for non-compliance with the Basic Regulation and its Implementing Rules during the last 3 years.
In addition, consideration will be given to the total number of examiners required at any particular time together with the geographical location.
The CAA is under an obligation to be satisfied, on a continuing basis, of the fitness of character of individuals and post holders which it licenses or approves in accordance with applicable legislation. Legislation does not specify how an individual or post holder will be expected to satisfy the CAA. Therefore, the CAA has discretion in relation to how fitness of character is assessed.
The CAA must consider options for any regulatory intervention when available information indicates that a person may no longer have the fitness of character appropriate to the privileges of their licence, certificate or authorisation.
The powers to intervene in these sorts of cases are discretionary, and therefore the CAA cannot set out the specific action to be taken in every circumstance. Instead, each case will be judged on its own merits. As a public body, the CAA must act clearly and consistently as and when it reviews individual behaviours with the information available to us at the time. Accordingly, it is appropriate to have a policy framework and guidance in place to set out how the CAA will approach the assessment of such cases. Additional information can be found on the CAA website.
Applying for a revalidation prior to expiry remains the responsibility of the certificate holder. If this has expired, holders must not exercise the privileges until it has been renewed and re-issued.
How do I apply?
Application Process
ROCC Examiner applicants meeting the above pre-entry requirements should apply to the CAA in the first instance by completing form Application for Authorisation as a Radio Operator’s Certificate of Competence Examiner (SRG1413E) form.
On receipt of the application form the CAA will review the application and supporting evidence. If the requirements are met and the application is accepted, the CAA will inform the applicant by issuing the ROCC examiner certificate and associated examination documentation via secure email. The Examiner remains responsible for ensuring the integrity of the ROCC examinations at all times and is responsible for submitting the required paperwork as part of their Examiner authorisation requirements. Under no circumstances should the completed examination papers be provided to the candidate.
If the requirements are not met, or the required evidence is incomplete the application may not be accepted, or additional evidence may be requested via secure email. Unsuccessful applications will not be reconsidered until the CAA is satisfied that all requirements have been met.
How much does it cost?
There is currently no charge associated with applying for a Radio Operator's Certificate of Competence (ROCC) examiner authorisation.
This may be subject to change and any associated charges can be found in the Scheme of charges. ORS5 No. 430: CAA Scheme of Charges: Personnel Licensing | UK Civil Aviation Authority
What do I need to send with my application?
You will need to send the following information with your application for initial issue:
- A letter confirming operational experience over the immediately preceding 2 years. This is required from the airport manager/operator. The letter must be submitted in PDF format by the Airport manager/operator on headed company paper. The evidence provided must cover entire operational 2-year period and must be signed by the airport manager/operator as appropriate.
- A short Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting your relevant experience.
- Two references from Radio Operator's Certificate of Competence (ROCC) certificate holders, their ROCC certificate numbers and their email addresses. These must be signed.
Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) and Flight Information Service Officer (FISOs) must include their licence number.
What else do I need to know?
The requirements to have held a Radio Operator's Certificate of Competence (ROCC) for 3 years and to have been operational at a Unit for the preceding 2 years, may be reduced at the discretion of the CAA.
Although the requirements to have held a ROCC for 3 years and to have been operational at a Unit for the preceding 2 years may be reduced at the discretion of the CAA, demonstration of sufficient experience is required, as such experience enables examiners to be able to create credible scenarios for the practical element of the ROCC examination.
If you hold an Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCO) or a Flight Information Service Officers (FISO) licence, you may be considered for authorisation as an Air/Ground Communications Service (AGCS) ROCC Examiner, (with a reduction to the operational requirement period), provided current Unit Endorsements and Validations, as appropriate, are held. This is considered on a case-by-case basis.
Before application is made you should be aware that ROCC Examinations for the grant of an Aeronautical Radio Station Operator’s Certificate of Competence may be conducted in the UK or abroad. ROCCs issued as a result of a successful examination are restricted to use in United Kingdom airspace and territorial waters, or elsewhere when operating from a United Kingdom registered merchant vessel or an offshore installation within the meaning of article 17 of the Air Navigation Order 2016; if used outside these parameters, the certificate requires validating by the relevant regulatory authority.
How long will it take for my application to be processed?
There is no specific timeline for the process of Applications for a Radio Operators Certificate of Competence (ROCC) examiners authorisation. Not all applications are the same and there are administrative actions to be taken, for example, the checking of references and so on. Applications will be processed as soon as possible.
A CAA Licensing Referrals Officer will contact you if there are any queries regarding your application.
On receipt of the application form the CAA will review the application and supporting evidence. If the requirements are met and the application is accepted, the CAA will inform the applicant by issuing the ROCC examiner certificate and associated examination documentation via secure email. The Examiner remains responsible for ensuring the integrity of the ROCC examinations at all times and is responsible for submitting the required paperwork as part of their Examiner authorisation requirements. Under no circumstances should the completed examination papers be provided to the candidate.
If the requirements are not met, or the required evidence is incomplete the application may not be accepted, or additional evidence may be requested via secure email. Unsuccessful applications will not be reconsidered until the CAA is satisfied that all requirements have been met.
How long is it valid for?
This ROCC Examiner authorisation is valid for 3 years (date shown on the issued certificate), unless revoked by the CAA or cancelled at your request. It is the holder's responsibility to renew the prior ROCC Examiner authorisation to expiry.
Revalidation and renewal process
Applications for the revalidation or renewal of an ROCC Examiner certificate must continue to meet the pre-entry requirements, and must not be subject to any sanctions, including the suspension, limitation or revocation of any of their licences, ratings or certificates, for non-compliance with the Basic Regulation and its Implementing Rules during the last 3 years.
For revalidation of an ROCC Examiner certificate submission of the completed Application for Authorisation as a Radio Operator’s Certificate of Competence Examiner (SRG1413E) form no later than 90 days prior to expiry date, to retain the existing validity date. Applications that are submitted more than 90 days prior to expiry date will not be reviewed until closer to the expiry date and will be reviewed in date of expiry order.
Renewal of an ROCC Examiner certificate conducted after the expiry date, shall be submitted using Application for Authorisation as a Radio Operator’s Certificate of Competence Examiner (SRG1413E) form. For renewal applicants will be required to follow the initial application process and may be subject to request for further evidence and/or training if deemed appropriate prior to re-issue.
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