How to Become an FBI Field Agent
FBI field agents or special agents conduct investigations, enforce federal laws and protect national security. Once hired by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, agents may pursue one of five career paths: intelligence, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, criminal or cyber crimes. Applicants must be United States citizens between the ages of 23 and 37 with a bachelor's degree and three years of full-time, professional work experience. The application process can take several years or may be completed in as little as six months.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Bachelor's degree
- Valid driver's license
- Three years professional work experience
Instructions
-
-
1
Submit an application for employment online at fbi.gov. The application will include information about your work history, education, experience and references. Your application will be processed and your testing completed at your local FBI office. The FBI has 56 field offices throughout the country.
-
2
Schedule and complete Phase I tests at your local field office. The FBI will contact you after reviewing your application to schedule testing. Phase I testing includes three written tests: the Biodata Inventory, which measures your interpersonal and critical thinking skills; the logical reasoning test; and the situational judgment test, which measures planning, organization and adaptability skills. Additional testing may be administered if you included special skills, such as foreign languages or accounting qualifications, on your application.
-
-
3
Schedule and complete Phase II testing once you have passed Phase I. The Phase II test includes an interview and another written test. The interview is conducted by three special agents asking standardized questions. The applicant must demonstrate verbal communication skills and integrity. The applicant must then demonstrate written communication skills by completing a written report based upon materials provided at the test. Candidates who pass this phase may receive a conditional offer of employment from the FBI.
-
4
Schedule and take the standardized physical fitness test. Applicants have three chances to pass the test. The test includes one-minute sit-ups, untimed pushups, a 300-meter sprint and a 1.5-mile run. The minimum standards vary by gender and age.
-
5
Submit paperwork for a background check and take a polygraph examination. The FBI will investigate your past, including criminal, credit and driving history and will interview previous employers, friends and family. Applicants must pass the background check to obtain top secret clearance and be accepted into the FBI.
-
6
Schedule a medical examination. The medical exam is completed after the physical fitness test to ensure the applicant is able to perform the functions of the job. The applicant must have 20/20 vision in one eye and no less than 20/40 vision in the other eye with or without corrective lenses. Uncorrected vision must not be less than 20/200. Applicants who have lasik eye surgery must wait for six months before beginning training. In addition, the applicant must not have more than 25 decibels hearing loss at 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 Hertz. Applicants who pass this exam may be offered employment with the FBI.
-
7
Attend the 20-week FBI Academy in Quantico, Va. The academy includes education in laws, behavior, ethics, interview and interrogation techniques, report writing and forensic science. New agents will also complete case studies to practice the skills learned in the classroom. Field skills, including firearms training, driving, defensive tactics and surveillance, are also taught at the academy. Upon graduation, the new agent will receive his first assignment as an FBI special agent.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Applicants with special skills such as foreign language proficiency, certified public accountant (CPA) or finance experience or law enforcement and intelligence experience will have receive priority over other applicants.
Begin training early to pass the physical fitness test. If you fail to pass the test within three tries, you must wait up to one year before re-taking it. In addition, you must pass the test a second time at the beginning of new agent training at the academy, so continue training to stay in shape.
FBI special agents may be stationed at any of the 56 field offices in the United States or at FBI offices in U.S. Embassies throughout the world. While the FBI takes the agents wishes into consideration, applicants must be willing to relocate to any FBI field office.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Digital Vision./Digital Vision/Getty Images
