,ACE Airport Security Certification Exam (AAAE) – Mock Exam
100 Questions & Verified Answers | 2026 Newest Update
SECTION 1: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK & TSA OVERSIGHT (Questions 1–25)
Q1
Question: Which federal agency is primarily responsible for civil aviation security in the United States?
A) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
B) Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
C) Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
D) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is the federal agency primarily responsible
for civil aviation security. Created in response to the 9/11 attacks, TSA was established by the Aviation
and Transportation Security Act (ATSA) of 2001 and later became part of the Department of Homeland
Security.
Q2
Question: What is the primary U.S. federal regulation that specifically governs airport security for
commercial service airports, establishing the requirements for security programs and Airport Security
Coordinators?
A) 49 CFR Part 1540 – General civil aviation security rules
B) 49 CFR Part 1542 – Airport Security
C) 49 CFR Part 1544 – Security of aircraft operators
D) 49 CFR Part 1546 – Foreign air carrier security
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 49 CFR Part 1542, "Airport Security," is the specific regulation requiring airport operators to
implement security procedures, designate an Airport Security Coordinator (ASC), and maintain an
approved Airport Security Program (ASP).
Q3
Question: The Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA) was signed into law in which year?
,A) 1996
B) 2001
C) 2005
D) 2010
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA) was signed into law on November 19,
2001, following the September 11 attacks. This act established the TSA and mandated federal security
screening of all passengers and baggage.
Q4
Question: Which federal regulation covers general civil aviation security rules, including prohibitions
against carrying weapons and explosives?
A) 49 CFR Part 1540
B) 49 CFR Part 1542
C) 49 CFR Part 1544
D) 49 CFR Part 1546
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: 49 CFR Part 1540 establishes the general rules for civil aviation security, including prohibited
items, security responsibilities of passengers and crew, and the authority of TSA personnel.
Q5
Question: Which federal regulation specifically governs the security of aircraft operators (airlines) and
their security programs?
A) 49 CFR Part 1540
B) 49 CFR Part 1542
C) 49 CFR Part 1544
D) 49 CFR Part 1546
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 49 CFR Part 1544 covers the security requirements for aircraft operators, including their
security programs, crewmember training, and passenger and baggage screening obligations.
Q6
Question: The TSA was initially established under which federal department?
, A) Department of Justice
B) Department of Transportation
C) Department of Homeland Security
D) Department of Defense
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The TSA was initially established under the Department of Transportation when created by
the Aviation and Transportation Security Act of 2001. It was later transferred to the Department of
Homeland Security when DHS was created in 2003.
Q7
Question: Which international document establishes global standards for aviation security?
A) Chicago Convention
B) ICAO Annex 17
C) Montreal Protocol
D) Tokyo Convention
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ICAO Annex 17 to the Chicago Convention establishes the global standards and
recommended practices for aviation security. It is the foundational international document for civil
aviation security.
Q8
Question: What is the primary purpose of 49 CFR Part 1542?
A) To regulate airline passenger screening
B) To require airport operators to implement security procedures and maintain an approved Airport
Security Program
C) To establish rules for cargo security
D) To govern foreign air carrier operations
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 49 CFR Part 1542 requires airport operators to implement security procedures, designate an
Airport Security Coordinator, and maintain an approved Airport Security Program (ASP).
Q9
Question: The Transportation Security Regulation (TSR) that specifically covers airport security for
commercial service airports is:
100 Questions & Verified Answers | 2026 Newest Update
SECTION 1: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK & TSA OVERSIGHT (Questions 1–25)
Q1
Question: Which federal agency is primarily responsible for civil aviation security in the United States?
A) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
B) Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
C) Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
D) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is the federal agency primarily responsible
for civil aviation security. Created in response to the 9/11 attacks, TSA was established by the Aviation
and Transportation Security Act (ATSA) of 2001 and later became part of the Department of Homeland
Security.
Q2
Question: What is the primary U.S. federal regulation that specifically governs airport security for
commercial service airports, establishing the requirements for security programs and Airport Security
Coordinators?
A) 49 CFR Part 1540 – General civil aviation security rules
B) 49 CFR Part 1542 – Airport Security
C) 49 CFR Part 1544 – Security of aircraft operators
D) 49 CFR Part 1546 – Foreign air carrier security
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 49 CFR Part 1542, "Airport Security," is the specific regulation requiring airport operators to
implement security procedures, designate an Airport Security Coordinator (ASC), and maintain an
approved Airport Security Program (ASP).
Q3
Question: The Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA) was signed into law in which year?
,A) 1996
B) 2001
C) 2005
D) 2010
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA) was signed into law on November 19,
2001, following the September 11 attacks. This act established the TSA and mandated federal security
screening of all passengers and baggage.
Q4
Question: Which federal regulation covers general civil aviation security rules, including prohibitions
against carrying weapons and explosives?
A) 49 CFR Part 1540
B) 49 CFR Part 1542
C) 49 CFR Part 1544
D) 49 CFR Part 1546
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: 49 CFR Part 1540 establishes the general rules for civil aviation security, including prohibited
items, security responsibilities of passengers and crew, and the authority of TSA personnel.
Q5
Question: Which federal regulation specifically governs the security of aircraft operators (airlines) and
their security programs?
A) 49 CFR Part 1540
B) 49 CFR Part 1542
C) 49 CFR Part 1544
D) 49 CFR Part 1546
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 49 CFR Part 1544 covers the security requirements for aircraft operators, including their
security programs, crewmember training, and passenger and baggage screening obligations.
Q6
Question: The TSA was initially established under which federal department?
, A) Department of Justice
B) Department of Transportation
C) Department of Homeland Security
D) Department of Defense
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The TSA was initially established under the Department of Transportation when created by
the Aviation and Transportation Security Act of 2001. It was later transferred to the Department of
Homeland Security when DHS was created in 2003.
Q7
Question: Which international document establishes global standards for aviation security?
A) Chicago Convention
B) ICAO Annex 17
C) Montreal Protocol
D) Tokyo Convention
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ICAO Annex 17 to the Chicago Convention establishes the global standards and
recommended practices for aviation security. It is the foundational international document for civil
aviation security.
Q8
Question: What is the primary purpose of 49 CFR Part 1542?
A) To regulate airline passenger screening
B) To require airport operators to implement security procedures and maintain an approved Airport
Security Program
C) To establish rules for cargo security
D) To govern foreign air carrier operations
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 49 CFR Part 1542 requires airport operators to implement security procedures, designate an
Airport Security Coordinator, and maintain an approved Airport Security Program (ASP).
Q9
Question: The Transportation Security Regulation (TSR) that specifically covers airport security for
commercial service airports is:
