Do I need a security clearance to work at an airport?

You need a Transportation Security Clearance from Transport Canada if your job requires entry to restricted areas, and then a restricted area identity card from the airport. Your employer starts the application. This course is background knowledge only and does not give you either one.

Are airport workers screened like passengers?

Yes. CATSA screens workers at doors into restricted areas and at random inside them. Workers who do not comply can lose their access.

What should I do if I lose my airport identity card?

Report the loss or theft to your employer right away so the card can be deactivated. Never borrow someone else's card.

Is it really an offence to joke about a bomb at the airport?

Yes. The aviation security regulations make it an offence to falsely declare that you or another person is carrying a weapon, explosive or incendiary device.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.

Airport Security Awareness Course 2026

Question 1 of 25

Which organization screens passengers and their baggage at Canada's designated airports?

Each airline's own customer service staff
CATSA
The Canada Border Services Agency at every terminal
The local municipal police service

Show answer

Answer: B. CATSA

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) screens passengers and their baggage at designated airports, and screens workers going into restricted areas at major airports.

Question 2 of 25

Who has the final say on who may enter an airport's restricted areas?

The airport authority
Any airline pilot on duty
The traveller's travel agent
The nearest screening officer on shift

Show answer

Answer: A. The airport authority

CATSA runs the identity card system with Transport Canada, but the airport authority decides who gets access to its restricted areas.

Question 3 of 25

Under the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations, 2012, what must the signs at a restricted area access point say?

That access is restricted to authorized persons
That the area is under video recording only
That photos of the building and aircraft are not allowed
That visitors must sign a guest book inside

Show answer

Answer: A. That access is restricted to authorized persons

Section 128 requires signs, in at least both official languages, that identify the restricted area and state that access is restricted to authorized persons.

Question 4 of 25

At a Class 1 airport, signs on a security barrier, such as a fence, may be no more than how far apart?

300 m
50 m
150 m
500 m

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Answer: C. 150 m

Section 128(2) of the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations, 2012 says signs on a security barrier must be no more than 150 m apart.

Question 5 of 25

How may a person enter an airport restricted area?

Only through a restricted area access point
Over any fence that is not alarmed
Through the baggage belt if it is stopped
Through any door that happens to be open at the time

Show answer

Answer: A. Only through a restricted area access point

Section 131 of the regulations says no one may enter a restricted area except through a restricted area access point.

Question 6 of 25

You are given temporary control of a door between a restricted area and a public area. What is your duty?

Let in anyone who is wearing a uniform
Lock it only at the end of your shift
Leave it open so deliveries can move faster all day
Stop unauthorized people from getting through

Show answer

Answer: D. Stop unauthorized people from getting through

Section 135 says a person with temporary use or control of such a door must prevent access by unauthorized persons.

Question 7 of 25

Nobody is posted at a restricted area door, and you go through it. What must you do?

Leave it unlocked for the next worker coming through
Call the airline to come and close it
Lock it and keep others out while it is open
Prop it open if you are coming right back

Show answer

Answer: C. Lock it and keep others out while it is open

Under section 136, when no authorized person is controlling access, anyone entering or leaving must lock the door and prevent unauthorized access while it is open.

Question 8 of 25

A worker tapes the latch of a restricted area door so it will not lock. What does the law say?

No one may stop such a door from locking
It is allowed if the supervisor is told later
It is allowed during busy periods
It is allowed if a camera covers the door

Show answer

Answer: A. No one may stop such a door from locking

Section 137 says no one may prevent a restricted area door, other than an emergency exit, from being locked.

Question 9 of 25

An emergency exit is also a restricted area access point. When may you open it?

At any time during your break
Whenever you want a shortcut out to your parked car
Whenever a passenger asks you nicely
If the operator authorizes it, or in an emergency

Show answer

Answer: D. If the operator authorizes it, or in an emergency

Section 138 says no one may open such an emergency exit unless the airport operator authorizes it or there is an emergency.

Question 10 of 25

What is a Transportation Security Clearance (TSC) needed for?

Entry to an airport's restricted areas
Driving a taxi to the departures level
Boarding any domestic flight as a passenger
Parking in the airport's long-term lot

Show answer

Answer: A. Entry to an airport's restricted areas

Transport Canada says a TSC is required for people who need to enter airport restricted areas, and it is needed before you can get a restricted area identity card.

Question 11 of 25

Who must start the application for a Transportation Security Clearance?

The worker, online, on their own
The worker's family doctor
The local police service
The employer

Show answer

Answer: D. The employer

Transport Canada says the clearance application process must be initiated by the employer.

Question 12 of 25

For how long can a Transportation Security Clearance be valid?

For life, once granted
Up to 1 year
Up to 10 years
Up to 5 years

Show answer

Answer: D. Up to 5 years

Transport Canada says a TSC is valid for up to 5 years.

Question 13 of 25

Which check is part of a Transportation Security Clearance?

A criminal record check by the RCMP
A driving test with an examiner
A fitness test at a gym
A credit score check by the worker's own bank

Show answer

Answer: A. A criminal record check by the RCMP

The TSC includes RCMP criminal record and law enforcement checks, a CSIS assessment if needed, and an immigration status check if it applies.

Question 14 of 25

Which identifiers does the restricted area identity card (RAIC) system use?

Iris and fingerprints
Shoe size and blood type
Height and weight records
Voice and handwriting samples

Show answer

Answer: A. Iris and fingerprints

CATSA's RAIC system uses iris and fingerprint biometrics to confirm the identity of workers entering restricted areas.

Question 15 of 25

How must you wear your restricted area identity card inside a restricted area?

In your wallet, shown only when someone asks for it
Clipped inside your jacket for safety
In your locker while you are working
Visibly on your outer clothing at all times

Show answer

Answer: D. Visibly on your outer clothing at all times

Section 167 says card holders must visibly display the card on their outer clothing at all times while in a restricted area.

Question 16 of 25

A coworker forgot their card and asks to borrow yours for the shift. What should you do?

Lend it, since you are not using it today
Lend it if your supervisor is busy
Refuse, because cards must never be lent
Lend it only if they promise to return it

Show answer

Answer: C. Refuse, because cards must never be lent

Section 171 says a person must not lend or give their restricted area identity card or key to anyone else.

Question 17 of 25

A friendly contractor asks you to tap your card so they can get through a restricted door. May you do it?

It is fine if you watch them the whole time they are inside
It is fine if they look like they work at the airport
Not without the airport operator's authorization
It is fine if they say their own card is not working

Show answer

Answer: C. Not without the airport operator's authorization

Section 171 bans using your card or key to let another person in without the airport operator's authorization.

Question 18 of 25

You lose your restricted area identity card. What must you do?

Report it to your employer right away
Order a copy from a print shop
Wait a week to see if it turns up
Borrow a coworker's card until it is found

Show answer

Answer: A. Report it to your employer right away

Section 172 says a card holder must immediately report the loss or theft of their card to their employer.

Question 19 of 25

At a Class 1 airport, how many escorts are needed for a group of people without cards?

No escort if the group stays together
One escort for every 30 people
One escort for the whole group, any size
At least one escort for every 10 people

Show answer

Answer: D. At least one escort for every 10 people

Section 180 requires at least one escort for every 10 persons who need an escort.

Question 20 of 25

You are escorting a visitor in a restricted area and they want to look around alone. What is the rule?

You and the visitor must stay together
They may go alone for up to 10 minutes
They may go alone if they show photo ID
They may explore if they stay inside the building

Show answer

Answer: A. You and the visitor must stay together

Section 181 says a person under escort must remain with the escort, and the escort must remain with that person, while in a restricted area.

Question 21 of 25

Where does CATSA carry out non-passenger screening of airport workers?

At doors to restricted areas and at random inside them
Only at the main check-in counters
Only once, on a worker's first day
Only in the public parking lots before each shift begins

Show answer

Answer: A. At doors to restricted areas and at random inside them

CATSA screens non-passengers at doors leading into restricted areas and at random within those areas.

Question 22 of 25

What can happen to an airport worker who does not comply with non-passenger screening?

Nothing, since screening is only for passengers
They get a free pass for the rest of the day
They can lose their access privileges
They are moved to a different airline

Show answer

Answer: C. They can lose their access privileges

CATSA says non-passengers must comply with screening or risk losing their access privileges.

Question 23 of 25

A friend asks you to take their bag through a side door so it skips screening. What does the law say?

It is allowed if you know the person well
It is allowed if the bag is checked later at the gate
It is allowed for small bags only
You must not help anyone get around screening

Show answer

Answer: D. You must not help anyone get around screening

Section 14 of the regulations says a person must not assist another person in circumventing screening.

Question 24 of 25

While working at an airport, you learn of a threat against the airport. What must you do?

Post a warning on social media
Notify the airport operator right away
Wait until your next shift to mention it
Tell only the people in your work area

Show answer

Answer: B. Notify the airport operator right away

Section 92 says a person carrying on an activity at an airport who learns of a threat must immediately notify the airport operator and help it assess the threat.

Question 25 of 25

At a screening point, a passenger jokes that their bag has a bomb in it. Why is this serious?

It is only a problem if the passenger is late for the flight
Jokes are allowed if the passenger is smiling
It matters only on international flights
Making a false claim of carrying a bomb is an offence

Show answer

Answer: D. Making a false claim of carrying a bomb is an offence

Section 81 bans falsely declaring that you or another person is carrying a weapon, explosive or incendiary device, and section 122 requires a notice about this at screening checkpoints.

Airport Security Awareness Course 2026

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