Editing Air traffic controller (section)

=== Requirements ===
Air traffic controllers are subject to some of the strictest physical and mental health requirements for any profession, reflecting the high responsibility. In Europe and parts of Asia, controllers must hold a [[Medical certifications for pilots|Class 3 medical certificate]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Medical Requirements |url=https://www.caas.gov.sg/personnel-licences-training/air-traffic-controller/medical-requirements |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=CAAS - CWP |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Initial medical certification for air traffic controllers ATCOs {{!}} Civil Aviation Authority |url=https://www.caa.co.uk/commercial-industry/airspace/air-traffic-management-and-air-navigational-services/licences/medical-requirements/initial-medical-certification-for-air-traffic-controllers-atcos/ |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=caa.co.uk}}</ref><ref name="o4552">{{cite web |title=Licensing and medical certification of air traffic controllers |url=https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/downloads/897/en |access-date=9 Feb 2025}}</ref> which involves evaluations of vision, hearing, physical and mental health. While in the United States there is no required certificate, candidates undergo similar assessments by the FAA; for example, air traffic controllers are required to pass a [[Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory]] (MMPI) before being allowed to work in the profession.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Medical |url=https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/foa_html/chap2_section_8.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250203164038/https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/foa_html/chap2_section_8.html |archive-date=2025-02-03 |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=faa.gov |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite web |title=Air Traffic Controller Qualifications {{!}} Federal Aviation Administration |url=https://www.faa.gov/air-traffic-controller-qualifications |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250206161401/https://www.faa.gov/air-traffic-controller-qualifications |archive-date=2025-02-06 |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=faa.gov |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="z222">{{cite web |title=Screening Air Traffic Control Specialists with the MMPI-2: Two New Scales to increase Predictive Utility |url=https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/oamtechreports/202103.pdf |access-date=9 Feb 2025}}</ref>

Certain health conditions such as [[diabetes]], [[epilepsy]], [[heart disease]], and many psychiatric disorders (e.g., [[clinical depression]], [[ADHD]], [[bipolar disorder]], [[personality disorders]], a history of [[drug abuse]], etc.)<ref name="d154">{{cite web |title=Skyguide MEDICAL INFORMATION |url=https://api.skyguide.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/medical-information_EN.pdf |access-date=9 Feb 2025}}</ref> may lead to automatic disqualification or require explicit testing and waivers signed by the overseeing medical authority, demonstrating that the disorder does not impact the individuals' ability to do the job. Other conditions such as [[hypertension|hypertension (high blood pressure)]], while not automatically disqualifying, are taken seriously and must be monitored by certified doctors.<ref name="o136">{{cite web |title=Medical requirements for air traffic controllers |url=https://luftfartstilsynet.no/globalassets/dokumenter/flymedisin/medical-requirements-for-air-traffic-controllers.pdf#page=6 |access-date=9 Feb 2025}}</ref> Controllers must take precautions to remain healthy. Additionally controllers must report all medications they are taking, even [[over-the-counter drugs]] to the responsible medical authority.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whall |first=Dan |date=2016-03-01 |title=Fit-for-Duty and Restricted Medications |url=https://www.natca.org/2016/03/01/fit-for-duty-and-restricted-medications/ |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=NATCA |language=en-US}}</ref> In the US numerous drugs approved by the [[Food and Drug Administration|U.S. Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) are either banned or require an air traffic controller to apply for a Special Consideration Medical Certificate and undergo continuous monitoring of the underlying medical condition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Does the FAA have a list of prescription and over-the-counter drugs that pilots can and cannot take while flying? {{!}} Federal Aviation Administration |url=https://www.faa.gov/faq/does-faa-have-list-prescription-and-over-counter-drugs-pilots-can-and-cannot-take-while-flying |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250202235524/https://www.faa.gov/faq/does-faa-have-list-prescription-and-over-counter-drugs-pilots-can-and-cannot-take-while-flying |archive-date=2025-02-02 |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=faa.gov |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally excellent verbal communication skills are required, as controllers must be able to clearly communicate and listen to pilots’ requests, even under high-stress conditions.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":10" /> All of these rigorous standards ensure that air traffic controllers  perform their duties safely and effectively.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Institute |first=International Training |date=2024-10-14 |title=Mastering the Skies: 10 essential skills for air traffic controllers |url=https://internationaltraininginstitute.edu.vn/mastering-the-skies-10-essential-skills-for-air-traffic-controllers/ |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=International Training Institute |language=en-US}}</ref>