What does the FBI look for in special agents?

To become an FBI Special Agent, you need U.S. citizenship, a bachelor's degree, 2+ years of professional work (or 1+ with a Master's), and to be 23-36 years old (exceptions for veterans/law enforcement), with a clean record (no felonies, good credit/taxes/child support), plus pass rigorous physical, background, polygraph, and medical tests, and a comprehensive training program. Key qualifications focus on strong character, relevant experience (like STEM, law, finance, languages), and physical/mental fitness.

What does the FBI look for when hiring Special Agents?

Special Agent Selection System

• Meet & Greet. ...
• Physical Fitness Test (PFT) ...
• Phase II Testing. ...
• Conditional Appointment Offer (CAO) ...
• Background Investigation. ...
• Fit for Duty Medical Exam. ...
• Pre-Quantico Physical Fitness Test (PFT) ...
• Basic Field Training Course (BFTC)

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.
 

What makes you a special agent in the FBI?

To operate safely and effectively, U.S. Special Agents and criminal investigators must possess skills and knowledge regarding criminal and civil law and procedure, enforcement operations, physical techniques, and technical equipment, to mention a few. They must also be physically fit.

Is it hard to become an FBI special agent?

Yes, becoming an FBI Special Agent is extremely difficult and highly competitive, requiring rigorous education (bachelor's degree minimum, often more), relevant work experience, passing a lengthy selection process (SASS) involving intensive physical fitness, polygraphs, extensive background checks, and interviews, with low acceptance rates (less than 20%) for a small pool of highly qualified candidates. 

FBI Special Agent Careers

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.

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.
 

Is a FBI agent higher than a cop?

No, an FBI agent isn't inherently "higher" or "outrank" a local cop; they are entirely different organizations with distinct jurisdictions, but the FBI leads in federal crimes, while local police handle state/city laws, often working together on task forces where federal law's scope can take precedence in joint cases, notes the FBI and Quora users https://www.facebook.com/smokie.phillips/posts/do-fbi-agents-outrank-local-policeits-not-a-matter-of-rank-as-local-police-and-t/10225355623749177/, https://www.quora.com/Do-FBI-agents-outrank-local-police,. An FBI agent can't order a local officer around, nor vice-versa, but in cases involving federal law, the FBI's authority in that specific federal matter is paramount, explains this Facebook post and a Quora answer https://www.facebook.com/smokie.phillips/posts/do-fbi-agents-outrank-local-policeits-not-a-matter-of-rank-as-local-police-and-t/10225355623749177/,.
 

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.
 

What do FBI background checks look for?

An FBI background check provides a comprehensive look at your national criminal history, revealing felony/misdemeanor convictions, arrests, pending charges, and incarceration records, all linked via fingerprints to ensure accuracy. It taps into national databases like the NCIC, checking for sex offender status, terrorism links, and even potentially sealed records (depending on state laws), and also flags major financial issues (bankruptcies) and residential history, crucial for federal jobs, licensing, or security clearances.
 

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 looking for in applicants?

The FBI looks for U.S. citizens with strong integrity, diverse skills (STEM, languages, military), excellent character (no major legal/financial issues, good credit), and the ability to pass rigorous physical/background tests, emphasizing core competencies like leadership, problem-solving, communication, and adaptability, not just a criminal justice degree. They value well-rounded individuals who can demonstrate crucial traits through varied experiences. 

What would make you fail an FBI background check?

FBI background investigations disqualify candidates for issues like non-U.S. citizenship, felony/domestic violence convictions, current drug use, failing a drug test, defaulting on student loans, or failing Selective Service registration (males). Key disqualifiers also include dishonesty, serious financial irresponsibility, past serious crimes (like assault, robbery, arson), and violations of the FBI's strict drug policies, with investigations looking at past conduct and potential security risks. 

What are 5 employment disqualifiers of the FBI?

Automatic disqualifiers to becoming an FBI agents

• Failure to file local, state, or federal income tax returns.
• Failure to pay court-ordered child support.
• Engagement in treasonable acts.
• Failure to register with the Selective Service System, if applicable.
• Failure to pass a urinalysis drug test administered by the FBI.

How many hours do FBI special agents work?

FBI Special Agent hours are demanding, requiring a minimum of 50+ hours weekly, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as agents are on-call 24/7 for emergencies, investigations, or urgent case needs, though specific schedules vary greatly by assignment, with some roles being more office-based (like financial crimes) and others fieldwork-intensive (like cyber or terrorism), all compensated with Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP). 

Do FBI agents travel a lot?

As an FBI agent, you may travel all over the country. There are FBI stations all across the country, covering different jurisdictions. The FBI reassigns agents to new stations as necessary, allowing them to work in various locations. In addition, you may need to travel to conduct investigations and interview witnesses.

Can FBI agents tell people they work for the FBI?

Yes, FBI agents can generally tell people they work for the FBI, but they must follow strict rules, avoiding details that compromise operations, security, or ongoing cases, often just saying they work for the government or the Department of Justice; however, those in covert roles or working on classified matters must keep their employment secret, sometimes using fake job titles. 

Do FBI agents start as cops?

No, you do not have to be a police officer to join the FBI; they hire agents from diverse backgrounds like STEM, law, accounting, and military, valuing unique expertise alongside traditional law enforcement experience, though many successful applicants do come from law enforcement or military roles. The FBI seeks varied skills, and while some experience as a cop can be helpful, it's not a prerequisite for becoming a Special Agent. 

At what age do FBI agents retire?

FBI Special Agents have a mandatory retirement age of 57, requiring them to be appointed by age 37 to reach the necessary 20 years of service for full retirement, though they can retire earlier (as young as 50 with 20 years) or potentially stay longer with waivers up to 60 or 65 in rare cases. 

How fast do you have to run 1.5 miles 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.
 

How hard is it to get into FBI?

Getting into the FBI is extremely hard and highly competitive, with acceptance rates sometimes below 10-20%, requiring top academic performance, extensive background checks, rigorous physical and written tests, interviews, and adherence to strict eligibility like U.S. citizenship, no felony record, and specific education/work experience, with the entire process taking over a year. 

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 many people fail the FBI fitness test?

FBI fitness evaluators tell FOX5 15 percent of applicants pass the fitness test. “Having you come out and do this fit test for us is a huge demonstration of what it takes to become an agent,” Special agent Devin said. Becoming an FBI agent takes some work, but it is not impossible.

What physical fitness is required for FBI?

Pull-ups: Maximum number of continuous pull-ups (untimed) 300-meter sprint: Timed 300-meter sprint. Push-ups: Maximum number of continuous push-ups (untimed) 1.5 mile run: Timed 1.5-mile run.