14 CFR Part 121eCFR Sep 29, 2026
Appendix O to Part 121
Hazardous Materials Training Requirements For Certificate Holders
This appendix prescribes the requirements for hazardous materials training under part 121, subpart Z, and part 135, subpart K of this chapter. The training requirements for various categories of persons are defined by job function or responsibility. An “X” in a box under a category of persons indicates that the specified category must receive the noted training. All training requirements apply to direct supervisors as well as to persons actually performing the job function. Training requirements for certificate holders authorized in their operations specifications to transport hazardous materials (will-carry) are prescribed in Table 1. Those certificate holders with a prohibition in their operations specifications against carrying or handling hazardous materials (will-not-carry) must follow the curriculum prescribed in Table 2. The method of delivering the training will be determined by the certificate holder. The certificate holder is responsible for providing a method (may include email, telecommunication, etc.) to answer all questions prior to testing regardless of the method of instruction. The certificate holder must certify that a test has been completed satisfactorily to verify understanding of the regulations and requirements.
Table 1—Operators That Transport Hazardous Material—Will-Carry Certificate Holders
| Aspects of transport of hazardous materials by air with which they must be familiar, as a minimum (See note 1) | Shippers (See Note 2) Will-carry | Operators and ground-handling agent's staff accepting hazardous materials (See Note 3) Will-carry | Operators and ground-handling agents staff responsible for the handling, storage, and loading of cargo and baggage Will-carry | Passenger-handling staff Will-carry | Flight crew members and load planners Will-carry | Crew members (other than flight crew members) Will-carry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General philosophy | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Limitations | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| General requirements for shippers | X | X | ||||
| Classification | X | X | ||||
| List of hazardous materials | X | X | X | |||
| General packing requirements | X | X | ||||
| Labeling and marking | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Hazardous materials transport document and other relevant documentation | X | X | ||||
| Acceptance procedures | X | |||||
| Recognition of undeclared hazardous materials | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Storage and loading procedures | X | X | X | |||
| Pilots' notification | X | X | X | |||
| Provisions for passengers and crew | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Emergency procedures | X | X | X | X | X | X |
Note 1. Depending on the responsibilities of the person, the aspects of training to be covered may vary from those shown in the table. Note 2. When a person offers a consignment of hazmat, including COMAT, for or on behalf of the certificate holder, then the person must be trained in the certificate holder's training program and comply with shipper responsibilities and training. If offering goods on another certificate holder's equipment, the person must be trained in compliance with the training requirements in 49 CFR. All shippers of hazmat must be trained under 49 CFR. The shipper functions in 49 CFR mirror the training aspects that must be covered for any shipper offering hazmat for transport. Note 3. When an operator, its subsidiary, or an agent of the operator is undertaking the responsibilities of acceptance staff, such as the passenger handling staff accepting small parcel cargo, the certificate holder, its subsidy, or the agent must be trained in the certificate holder's training program and comply with the acceptance staff training requirements.
Table 2—Operators That Do Not Transport Hazardous Materials—Will-Not-Carry Certificate Holders
| Aspects of transport of hazardous materials by air with which they must be familiar, as a minimum (See Note 1) | Shippers (See Note 2) Will-not-carry | Operators and ground-handling agent's staff accepting cargo other than hazardous materials (See Note 3) Will-not-carry | Operators and ground-handling agents staff responsible for the handling, storage, and loading of cargo and baggage Will-not-carry | Passenger-handling staff Will-not-carry | Flight crew members and load planners Will-not-carry | Crew members (other than flight crew members) Will-not-carry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General philosophy | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Limitations | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| General requirements for shippers | X | |||||
| Classification | X | |||||
| List of hazardous materials | X | |||||
| General packing requirements | X | |||||
| Labeling and marking | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Hazardous materials transport document and other relevant documentation | X | X | ||||
| Acceptance procedures | ||||||
| Recognition of undeclared hazardous materials | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Storage and loading procedures | ||||||
| Pilots' notification | ||||||
| Provisions for passengers and Crew | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Emergency procedures | X | X | X | X | X | X |
Note 1—Depending on the responsibilities of the person, the aspects of training to be covered may vary from those shown in the table. Note 2—When a person offers a consignment of hazmat, including COMAT, for air transport for or on behalf of the certificate holder, then that person must be properly trained. All shippers of hazmat must be trained under 49 CFR. The shipper functions in 49 CFR mirror the training aspects that must be covered for any shipper, including a will-not-carry certificate holder offering dangerous goods for transport, with the exception of recognition training. Recognition training is a separate FAA requirement in the certificate holder's training program. Note 3—When an operator, its subsidiary, or an agent of the operator is undertaking the responsibilities of acceptance staff, such as the passenger handling staff accepting small parcel cargo, the certificate holder, its subsidiary, or the agent must be trained in the certificate holder's training program and comply with the acceptance staff training requirements.