The NTSB serves as the "court of appeal" for airmen, mechanics or mariners whenever the FAA or the USCG takes a certificate action.
The NTSB currently has three judges who conduct hearings in the Southeast (Circult II), Midwest (Circuit III) and West (Circuit IV) There is a judicial vacancy in the Northeast (Circuit I) based in Washington D.C.
Our administrative law judges:
- hear, consider, and issue initial decisions on appeals filed with the NTSB’s five member Board; and
- adjudicate claims for fees and expenses stemming from FAA certificate and civil penalty actions under the Equal Access to Justice Act.
Either the certificate holder or the FAA may appeal the judges' decisions in these cases to the NTSB’s five-member Board. The Board's review on appeal of its administrative law judges' decisions is based on the record of the proceeding, which includes hearing testimony (transcript), exhibits, the judge's decision, and appeal briefs submitted by the parties.
Marine certificate actions are heard first by the Coast Guard's administrative law judges and may be appealed to the Commandant of the Coast Guard. The ruling of the Commandant may then be appealed to the NTSB.
Updated February 20, 2025
