--- title: "ATCO.B.040 Assessment of language proficiency — ANNEX I – PART ATCO – REQUIREMENTS FOR THE LICENSING OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS, ATCO · Avioverse" description: "The demonstration of language proficiency shall be done through a method of assessment approved by the competent authority, which shall contain:" url: "https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/atco/part-atco-requirements-for-the-licensing-of-air/subpart-b/atco-b-040" --- # ATCO.B.040 Assessment of language proficiency ANNEX I – PART ATCO – REQUIREMENTS FOR THE LICENSING OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS · Regulation (EU) 2015/340 · EAR revision 14 Jun 2024 IR Implementing rule ## ATCO.B.040 Assessment of language proficiency (a) The demonstration of language proficiency shall be done through a method of [assessment](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/assessment) approved by the competent authority, which shall contain: (1) the process by which an assessment is done; (2) the qualification of the assessors; (3) the appeals procedure. \[applicable until 3 August 2024 - Regulation (EU) 2015/340] The demonstration of language proficiency shall be done through a method of assessment approved by any competent authority, which shall contain: (1) the process by which an assessment is done; (2) the qualification of the assessors; (3) the appeal procedure. \[applicable from 4 August 2024 - Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/893] (b) Language assessment bodies shall comply with the requirements established by the competent authorities according to ATCO.AR.A.010. IR · ATCO.B.040 — Regulation (EU) 2015/340 · Regulation (EU) 2023/893 · ATCO Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 14 Jun 2024 AMC Acceptable means of compliance ## AMC1 ATCO.B.040 Assessment of language proficiency GENERAL (a) The language proficiency [assessment](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/assessment) should be designed to reflect the tasks undertaken by air traffic controllers, but with specific focus on language rather than operational procedures and knowledge. (b) The assessment should determine the applicant’s ability to communicate effectively using visual and non-visual communication in both routine and non-routine situations. AMC · AMC1 ATCO.B.040 — Regulation (EU) 2015/340 · ED Decision 2015/010/R · ATCO Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 14 Jun 2024 AMC Acceptable means of compliance ## AMC2 ATCO.B.040 Assessment of language proficiency [ASSESSMENT](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/assessment) (a) The assessment should comprise the following three elements: (1) listening — assessment of comprehension; (2) speaking — assessment of pronunciation, fluency, structure and vocabulary; (3) interaction. (b) The switch between phraseology and plain language should be assessed for listening and speaking proficiency. (c) When the assessment is not conducted in a face-to-face situation, it should use appropriate technologies for the assessment of the applicant’s abilities in listening and speaking, and for enabling interactions. (d) In case of [revalidation](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/revalidation) of the [language proficiency endorsement](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/language-proficiency-endorsement), the assessment may be conducted during training activities or on operational position, with prior notification to the air traffic controller to be assessed. (e) Irrespective of the way the assessment is organised, the requirements listed in (a) and (b) as well as the relevant provisions for language proficiency assessors should be met. AMC · AMC2 ATCO.B.040 — Regulation (EU) 2015/340 · ED Decision 2015/010/R · ATCO Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 14 Jun 2024 AMC Acceptable means of compliance ## AMC3 ATCO.B.040 Assessment of language proficiency LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY ASSESSORS (a) Persons responsible for language proficiency [assessment](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/assessment) should be suitably trained and qualified. (b) Language proficiency assessors should undergo regular refresher training on language assessment skills. (c) Language proficiency assessors should not conduct language proficiency assessments whenever their objectivity may be affected. AMC · AMC3 ATCO.B.040 — Regulation (EU) 2015/340 · ED Decision 2015/010/R · ATCO Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 14 Jun 2024 AMC Acceptable means of compliance ## AMC4 ATCO.B.040 Assessment of language proficiency CRITERIA FOR THE ACCEPTABILITY OF LANGUAGE [ASSESSMENT](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/assessment) BODIES (a) A language assessment body should provide clear information about its organisation and its relationships with other organisations. (b) If a language assessment body is also an air traffic controller [training organisation](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/training-organisation), there should be a clear and documented separation between the two activities. (c) The language assessment body should employ a sufficient number of qualified interlocutors and language proficiency assessors to administer the required tests. (d) The assessment documentation should include at least the following: (1) assessment objectives; (2) assessment layout, timescale, technologies used, assessment samples, voice samples; (3) assessment criteria and standards (at least for the operational, extended and expert levels of the [rating](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/rating) scale in Appendix 1 to Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2015/340); (4) documentation demonstrating the assessment validity, relevance and reliability for the operational and extended levels; (5) documentation demonstrating the assessment validity, relevance and reliability for the expert level; (6) procedures to ensure that language assessments are standardised within the language assessment body and in the ATC community; (7) assessment procedures and responsibilities, such as: preparation of individual assessment; administration: location(s), identity check and invigilation, assessment discipline, confidentiality/security; reporting and documentation provided to the competent authority and/or to the applicant, including sample certificate; and retention of documents and records. (8) The assessment documentation and records should be kept for a period of time determined by the competent authority and made available to the competent authority upon request. \[applicable until 3 August 2024 - ED Decision 2015/010/R] (d) The assessment documentation should include at least the following: (1) assessment objectives; (2) assessment layout, timescale, technologies used, assessment samples, voice samples; (3) assessment criteria and standards (at least for the operational, extended and expert levels of the rating scale in Appendix 1 to Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2015/340); (4) documentation demonstrating the assessment validity, relevance and reliability for the operational, extended and expert levels; (5) procedures to ensure that language assessments are standardised within the language assessment body and in the ATC community; (6) assessment procedures and responsibilities, such as: preparation of individual assessment; administration: location(s), identity check and invigilation, assessment discipline, confidentiality/security; reporting and documentation provided to the competent authority and/or to the applicant, including sample certificate; and retention of documents and records. (7) The assessment documentation and records should be kept for a period of time determined by the competent authority and made available to the competent authority upon request. \[applicable from 4 August 2024 - ED Decision 2023/011/R] AMC · AMC4 ATCO.B.040 — Regulation (EU) 2015/340 · ED Decision 2023/011/R · ATCO Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 14 Jun 2024 GM Guidance material ## GM1 ATCO.B.040 Assessment of language proficiency LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY ASSESSORS (a) Persons responsible for language proficiency [assessment](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/assessment) should be either aviation specialists (e.g. current or former air traffic controllers) or language specialists with additional aviation-related training. The preferred approach for an assessment would be to form a team consisting of an operational expert and a language expert. (b) Language proficiency assessors should be trained in the requirements specific to the language proficiency assessment, and assessment and interlocution techniques. GM · GM1 ATCO.B.040 — Regulation (EU) 2015/340 · ED Decision 2015/010/R · ATCO Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 14 Jun 2024 GM Guidance material ## GM2 ATCO.B.040 Assessment of language proficiency Further information can be found in the ‘Manual on the Implementation of ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements’ (ICAO Doc 9835) and the Language Testing Criteria for Global Harmonization (ICAO Cir 318 AN/180). \[applicable until 3 August 2024 - ED Decision 2015/010/R] Further information can be found in the ‘Manual on the Implementation of ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements’ (ICAO Doc 9835) and the ‘Language Testing Criteria for Global Harmonization’ (ICAO Cir 318 AN/180). \[applicable from 4 August 2024 - ED Decision 2023/011/R] GM · GM2 ATCO.B.040 — Regulation (EU) 2015/340 · ED Decision 2023/011/R · ATCO Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 14 Jun 2024 [All rules in SUBPART B – LICENCES, RATINGS AND ENDORSEMENTS](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/atco/part-atco-requirements-for-the-licensing-of-air/subpart-b) Consolidated from the EASA Easy Access Rules (revision 14 Jun 2024, extracted 13 Oct 2026) for convenience. Not the official publication — verify against the Official Journal of the European Union and the EASA publications before operational use.