How to Become an FBI Agent

Are you looking for an exciting, challenging, and highly respected new career? Becoming an FBI Agent will fit those criteria and allow you to serve your country in a very unique manner. This is a highly challenging career to seek, but very rewarding if you are able to fill the strict requirements. If fighting terrorism, organized crime, fraud, cyber crime, extortion, drug trafficking, and enforcing other federal laws is for you this may be a great career for you to pursue.

Understand and meet the FBI Special Agent application requirements
To become an FBI Agent you must meet many strict requirements. You must be a member of the US or the Northern Mariana Islands, be at least 23 years old but not more than 37, have a four year degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university, have at least three years of work experience, and be willing and able to work in any location that is under the FBI jurisdiction.

There are five Special Agent Entry Programs, and all applicants must qualify under one of them. They consist of Accounting, Computer Science or Information Technology, Language, Law, and Diversified. Each of these entry programs has specific requirements for degrees and specific certifications attained in the given area.

Meet one or more FBI Special Agent Critical Skills
There are twelve FBI Special Agent Critical Skills. Each applicant must meet the criteria for one or more of these skills. The skills are Accounting, Finance, Computer Science or Information Technology Expertise, Engineering Expertise, Foreign Language(s) Proficiency, Intelligence Experience, Law Experience, Law Enforcement or Investigative Experience, Military Experience, Physical Sciences Expertise, Diversified Experience, and Tactical Operations or Special Forces. To meet these skills you will need to meet the specific educational or experience requirements set by each of them.

Apply online to be an FBI Special Agent
If you feel that you meet all of the requirements and skills from steps 2 and 3, you can apply online for employment. After review of the received applications those that are the most qualified will be asked to complete a set of written exams and verbal interviews.

Receive a conditional employment offer
If you pass the rigorous written set of exams and verbal interviews process, a conditional offer of employment will be given. At this point further physical testing and background investigations will begin.

Meet the FBI Special Agent physical requirements
You will also have to meet strict physical requirements. There is a physical fitness test that entails the maximum number of sit ups in one minute, maximum number of pushups, a timed 300 meter sprint, and a timed 1.4 mile run.

Pass the FBI background investigation
The background investigation is very extensive for this position. This job deals with heavily sensitive information and they will need to know you are right for all you will be asked to do. You will immediately be disqualified if you have been convicted of a felony, have used illegal drugs (in accordance with the FBI employment drug policy), default on a student loan that was insured by the US Government, fail a FBI urinalysis drug test, or if you have not registered with the Selective Service System (males only).

An extensive background investigation will take place. You will be required to complete FBI Background Investigation Forms, which will be reviewed and investigated. You will be required to qualify for an FBI Top Secret Clearance before employment is officially offered.

Pass medical exams and full medical review
The last part of the employment process is medical testing and a full medical review. First you will need to pass a vision test and hearing test. You will then be asked for your complete medical history and it will be reviewed in detail.

Complete training at the FBI Academy
After all requirements and testing has been completed, you will be scheduled for the FBI Special Agent class at the FBI Academy.