Training (according FAR 65 Subpart C, SFAR 58, FAR 121.415, 121.418. 121.422, 121.427 and FAR 121.463)

As per FAR 65.51(a) a license is required to excercise operational control as a dispatcher for an U.S. airline in civil air traffic.
Requirements to aquire a license:

- 21 years to be able to take the theoretical test
- 23 years to get a license
- be able to read, write and understand English
- pass a theoretical and practical exam from the FAA
- related experience or attendance of a training as required by    FAR 65.57

Contents of a training (with inadequte experience) as per FAR Part 65 Annex A:

- minimum of 200hours training at a FAA accepted school for    dispatchers (previous experience can be credited)
- aviation law and general setup of operational specifications
- meteorology
- navigation
- aircraft systems
- communication systems
- basics air traffic control
- emergency & abnormal procedures
- practical flight planning

After passing a practical and oral exam with the FAA, a license is awarded that is valid for life. However, in order to work as a dispatcher, additional internal courses are necessary that do need approval from the aviation authority. It will be distinquished between propeller (Group 1) and jet (Group 2) aircraft:
Initial Training

- minimum of 40hours respectively for either turbo-props of   jets (Group 1 or Group 2)
- operational specifications
- general knowledge (i.e. communication systems, aviation law,   meteorology, DRM, ATC, etc..)
- aircraft systems, performance and flight planning for the   respective group that will be dispatched later.
- emergency procedures

The inital training does finish with a test that has to be administered by either a supervisor or instructor.
Transition Training

- necessary if a dispatcher changes the group of aircraft   he/she is dispatching
- has to include group imminent topics of the initial training
- differences Training
- significant variations of an existing type

Recurrent Training

has to finish with a quiz that demonstrates that the dispatcher is still proficient to handle all assigned tasks

Jumpseats

minimum of 5hours per group on the cockpit jumseat or in the simulator (can be reduced to a minimum of 2.5hours with additional take-offs and landings)

Airlines also have the opportunity to plan their training according SFAR 58.

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