What are the chances of getting in the FBI?

The FBI has an extremely low acceptance rate, hiring less than 5% of applicants, making it highly competitive, with roughly 95% of candidates unsuccessful through the rigorous multi-stage process that includes intense testing, interviews, polygraphs, and background checks. While exact numbers vary, success rates on individual tests can be as low as 30%, emphasizing the need for thorough preparation for the written, physical, and behavioral assessments to become a Special Agent or join other FBI careers.

What percent of FBI applicants get accepted?

Is getting hired by the FBI hard? Jobs at the FBI are highly competitive, with less than 20 percent of applicants being ultimately accepted [12]. The hiring and clearance process is thorough and time-intensive, and can take up to a year to complete.

What will disqualify you from FBI?

You're disqualified from the FBI for automatic issues like being a non-U.S. citizen, felony convictions, failing drug tests, or not registering for Selective Service (if male), but also for financial irresponsibility (loan defaults, unpaid taxes/child support), dishonest application answers, serious past drug/alcohol abuse, or gang/subversive ties, as a thorough background check evaluates your whole person for integrity and suitability, says the FBI Jobs official site and the Yale Law School career guide.
 

How fast do you have to run the 1.5 mile for FBI?

The FBI 1.5-mile run times vary by gender, with faster times earning more points, but a minimum passing time for 1 point is around 12:24 for men and 13:59 for women, while achieving the top 10 points requires times under 8:59 for men and 10:34 for women, demonstrating endurance for the role.
 

What GPA do you need to get into FBI?

The FBI generally requires a minimum GPA, often around 3.0, for student programs and some entry-level roles, though specific requirements vary by position (like Special Agent vs. Intern) and can sometimes be nuanced with work experience, advanced degrees (Master's/JD), or specialized skills (IT/language). For the highly competitive Special Agent role, while a 3.0 is common, factors like work history, education level, and specialized talents can influence consideration, and some sources mention programs with slightly lower requirements like 2.95 for certain graduate hires. 

Undercover FBI agents transporting a man get stopped by a racist officer. Lawsuit ruins his career

Does FBI pay well?

Yes, the FBI pays well, especially when factoring in competitive starting salaries, significant pay increases with experience, locality adjustments for high-cost areas, and Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) for extra hours, plus excellent federal benefits like pensions and health insurance, though some agents feel current pay struggles to keep up with rising living costs in high-demand locations. New agent salaries can start around $80,000+, with experienced agents earning well into the six figures, and these figures are boosted by LEAP (an extra 25% for working over 40 hours) and locality pay. 

How long is FBI training?

The Basic Field Training Course (BFTC) is designed to train new special agents and intelligence analysts together to prepare them for collaborative work in the field. The NAT curriculum lasts 18 weeks, including orientation, while the NIAT curriculum lasts 12 weeks.

What is the FBI age limit?

The FBI's age limit for becoming a Special Agent is generally 23 to under 37 years old at the time of appointment, with exceptions for veterans and current federal law enforcement, to ensure they meet the 20-year service requirement for retirement by age 57. Applicants must apply before their 36th birthday to allow time for the lengthy selection process, but age waivers exist for eligible veterans, and some current FBI employees or prior federal law enforcement may also qualify for waivers.
 

How fast do Navy Seals run 1.5 miles?

For the Navy SEAL Physical Screening Test (PST), the minimum time is 10:30, but competitive scores are often under 9:30, with elite candidates running it in under 9:00 minutes, requiring a fast pace like a 6-minute mile or better. 

How hard is the FBI physical test?

The FBI fitness test is challenging but achievable with training, requiring you to pass four timed/untimed events (sit-ups, 300m sprint, push-ups, 1.5-mile run), plus pull-ups for entry, with a minimum score of 1 point in each and 10 total, but about 50% of applicants fail, showing it demands dedicated preparation for the rigorous pace and standards. 

Does FBI hair test?

Hair testing is only used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) when other information exists that indicates drug use and can remove a person from suspicion or associate them with criminal activity.

Do you pick your job in the FBI?

Upon graduation from the FBI Academy, you will be assigned to one of the FBI's field offices or satellite offices. Roughly one-third of new agents get their first choice. Ultimately, the mission comes first.

Can I quit the FBI?

Yes, FBI agents can quit (resign) at any time, but they generally sign a three-year commitment and may forfeit their pension if they leave before 20 years of service or age 50, as well as potentially needing to repay training costs. While the FBI cannot legally stop someone from resigning, employees leaving early, especially during sensitive cases or due to internal issues, can create significant challenges for the agency, leading to discussions about turnover and disciplinary recourse. 

Who pays more, CIA or FBI?

Entry-Level: FBI special agents generally start with a higher base salary than CIA officers due to LEAP and law enforcement pay adjustments. Mid-Career & Senior Positions: Salaries for both agencies can exceed $150,000, but CIA officers in technical or paramilitary roles may earn more due to specialized skill bonuses.

What skills do FBI agents need?

To be an FBI Agent, you need strong ** analytical skills, problem-solving, communication, leadership, and adaptability, plus high integrity and physical fitness**, along with relevant education (Bachelor's degree) and professional experience, to navigate complex investigations and core competencies like planning, organizing, and working collaboratively under pressure. 

What is the FBI hire rate?

The FBI has an extremely low acceptance rate, hiring less than 5% of applicants, making it highly competitive, with roughly 95% of candidates unsuccessful through the rigorous multi-stage process that includes intense testing, interviews, polygraphs, and background checks. While exact numbers vary, success rates on individual tests can be as low as 30%, emphasizing the need for thorough preparation for the written, physical, and behavioral assessments to become a Special Agent or join other FBI careers.
 

What does 4444 mean to Navy SEALs?

A prime example is the box breathing technique, famously used by the Navy Seals, known as the 4-4-4-4 method. This simple yet effective method involves a cycle of inhaling for 4 seconds, holding the breath for 4 seconds, exhaling for 4 seconds, and then pausing for 4 seconds before the next inhalation.

Are Navy SEALs paid for life?

Navy SEALs don't get paid for life automatically; they earn a military pension (lifetime payments) only after completing 20 years of honorable service, starting around 50% of their basic pay, plus access to lifetime healthcare (Tricare), but leaving before 20 years means losing those major retirement benefits, even for long-serving SEALs. While they get high bonuses and special pay during service, the long-term "pay for life" comes from the pension system, requiring that significant time commitment.
 

Who ran 1 mile in 4 minutes?

The first four-minute mile is usually attributed to the English athlete Roger Bannister, who ran it in 1954 at age 25 in 3:59.4.

What disqualifies you from being FBI?

You're disqualified from the FBI for automatic issues like being a non-U.S. citizen, felony convictions, failing drug tests, or not registering for Selective Service (if male), but also for financial irresponsibility (loan defaults, unpaid taxes/child support), dishonest application answers, serious past drug/alcohol abuse, or gang/subversive ties, as a thorough background check evaluates your whole person for integrity and suitability, says the FBI Jobs official site and the Yale Law School career guide.
 

What is FBI training like?

FBI training is an intense, 20-week program at the Quantico Academy, combining rigorous academics (law, ethics, forensics) with hands-on skills like firearms (100+ hours), tactical driving, surveillance, and realistic case simulations at "Hogan's Alley," a mock town, all designed to test candidates physically, mentally, and psychologically for complex national security and criminal investigations, building strong bonds through shared challenges.
 

What is the youngest an FBI agent can be?

Is there an FBI agent age limit? Yes, candidates must be at least 23 years old and younger than 37 at the time of appointment, with limited exceptions for those with prior federal law enforcement experience.

Can you have tattoos in FBI?

Yes, you can have tattoos in the FBI, but they must be covered while on duty and cannot be offensive, inappropriate, or depict nudity, violence, or discriminatory symbols; visible tattoos are generally restricted to areas that can be covered by standard uniforms (like long sleeves), with some exceptions for small, single-finger ring tattoos, though large or face/neck tattoos are a significant issue. The FBI prioritizes professionalism, so disruptive or prominent body art must be concealed, especially during training, interviews, or public-facing roles. 

Is SWAT hard to get into?

Yes, SWAT is extremely hard to get into due to highly competitive selection processes, rigorous physical and mental demands, extensive background checks, and the need for excellent performance as a regular police officer first. You must prove yourself as a seasoned officer before even applying, demonstrating top-tier physical fitness, firearms skills, critical thinking, and teamwork, with many agencies requiring years of experience. 

What GPA do you need to be in the FBI?

The FBI generally requires a minimum GPA, often around 3.0, for student programs and some entry-level roles, though specific requirements vary by position (like Special Agent vs. Intern) and can sometimes be nuanced with work experience, advanced degrees (Master's/JD), or specialized skills (IT/language). For the highly competitive Special Agent role, while a 3.0 is common, factors like work history, education level, and specialized talents can influence consideration, and some sources mention programs with slightly lower requirements like 2.95 for certain graduate hires.