To qualify, an applicant must: Be a
How Does the FBI Hire Agents? The FBI accepts fewer than 20% of applicants, making jobs within the bureau highly competitive. Applicants typically begin their candidacy through one of the FBI's various entry programs, all of which are tailored to specific FBI career tracks.
Criminal Justice
When it comes to those working at the FBI, the most common degree is a bachelor's in criminal justice. This degree gives you an overview of the tasks you will complete and how to do them.
FBI Agent Training at Quantico
Before beginning field work, FBI agents must pass through New Agent Training at the FBI Academy. This approximately 20-week course is one of the most difficult training programs law enforcement officials will ever go through, and it will test both physical and mental limits.
Candidates cannot have used any illegal drug, other than marijuana, within the ten (10) years preceding the date of the application for employment. Additionally, candidates cannot have sold, distributed, manufactured, or transported any illegal drug or controlled substance without legal authorization.
You must be at least 23 years old at the time of your appointment. You must also be younger than 37, unless you qualify for an age waiver available to veterans. See our qualification requirements webpage for more information on what it takes to become a special agent.
All special agents begin their career at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, for 20 weeks of intensive training at one of the world's finest law enforcement training facilities. During their time there, trainees live on campus and participate in a variety of training activities.
Kellie: Yeah, they are allowed. Now I would suggest that if you're looking to get a tattoo, be very judicious in where you place it, just because the image of the Academy in the FBI is extremely important. So just be judicious in your placement of your tattoo. Stephanie: Okay.
Pros of being an FBI agent
FBI agents typically earn a decent salary and receive a good benefits package. The average salary for a special agent is $71,665 per year . In addition, special agents receive health insurance, long-term care coverage, group life insurance, retirement savings and investment plans.
Most often, these candidates are former police officers or those with past investigative experience. After applying under one the entry programs, applicants are then prioritized based on whether they possess certain critical skills that the FBI is in need of at the time.
Course Details
The cost of training is paid for by the Federal Bureau of Investigations. The approximate cost to train an applicant is $50,000. Applicants must sign an agreement stating that they intend to stay in law enforcement for at least three years after completion of their training.
Must be clean-shaven throughout training. Hair must be of reasonable length without faddish or exaggerated style or color. Men's hair must not be longer than the bottom of the collar, without adornment such as buns, ponytails or braids.
Salary and Compensation: New Special Agents, called New Agent Trainees or NATs, are paid on the GL schedule for Federal Law Enforcement Officers (LEO), beginning as a GL-10, step 1, while in training at Quantico.
To qualify for an FBI agent position, you must have a college degree, according to the law enforcement and intelligence agency.
Work Environment
The FBI says that special agents must "work a minimum of 50 hours a week (which may include irregular hours) and be on call 24/7, including holidays and weekends." They are on call for possible assignment 24 hours a day. Assignments may be given for any location at any time...
5 The contract has a 1-year base and four 1-year options, and as of December 2019, the FBI had exercised 3 of the option years.
To qualify, an applicant must: Be a U.S. citizen. Be at least 23 years of age but younger than 37 at the time of hiring [exceptions include: federal law enforcement officers (1811s) and veterans' preference-eligible veterans], Have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
There's only a very small amount of information that an FBI agent would not be able to share with someone. Unless something or someone is under investigation, we can usually talk about what were working on or have worked on in the past.
FBI agents work all over the country and, in some cases, all over the world. While you'll start in the same place as just about everyone else, in Quantico, Virginia, the FBI frequently ends up sending you where it needs you.
While the FBI marriage rules do not prohibit FBI agents from marring foreign nationals, it may affect their security clearance eligibility, preventing agents from performing specific responsibilities.
The FBI's spokespeople ensure that agents dress appropriately and work properly. It makes no mention that each agent must wear the traditional black suit and white shirt. Being an FBI agent is a role to be proud of whatever you wear or where you are, as you labor day and night to protect the public and the nation.