Overview

Special agents bring their skills, compassion, and integrity to stay ahead of threats, uphold the law, defend civil rights, and protect innocent people. They seek out cybercrime, infiltrate organized crime rings, and investigate terrorists. 

A day for an FBI special agent might entail surveilling a subject in the morning, tracking terrorists’ online social activity before lunch, testifying in court in the afternoon, and addressing a public forum on identity theft in the evening.

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Eligibility

We designed a multi-step process known as the Special Agent Selection System (SASS) to find individuals who will be successful in this job.

Special Agents must meet all FBI Eligibility requirements and the specified requirements listed below:

FBI Eligibility

Please note that if you do not meet any of the requirements listed, you are not eligible for employment with the FBI.

To be eligible for employment, you must adhere to the following guidelines prior to application consideration:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Public record must be in good standing with no felony convictions
• Adherence with FBI drug policy
• Pass urinalysis and background investigation
• Student loan repayments must be in good standing
• Filed all required annual federal, state, and local taxes
• Current on court ordered child support payments
• No engagement with organizations designed to overthrow the U.S. government
• Register with the Selective Service System (for applicants who were assigned male at birth only, exceptions apply)

        Selective Service System

Special Agent Eligibility

• Be at least 23 years old.
• Apply before your 36th birthday unless you have veteran’s preference or federal law enforcement experience. You must complete the SASS process and enter on duty no later than the day before your 37th birthday.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.
• Have a bachelor’s degree and at least two years of full-time professional work experience, or have an advanced degree and at least one year of full-time professional work experience.
• Meet our physical fitness requirements.
• Be able to obtain a Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Clearance.

For more details, including the drug policy, please download the FBI Eligibility document.

FBI Eligibility

Physical Requirements

To ensure you are able to meet the physical requirements of this position, you must:

• Provide medical documentation from your personal physician.
• Show proof of required vaccinations.
• Complete additional medical examinations.

You may be required to complete the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) several times throughout the process, which assesses your fitness levels through four main events:  

• A maximum number of continuous sit-ups in one minute
• A timed 300-meter sprint
• A maximum number of (untimed) continuous push-ups
• A timed 1.5-mile run

​Those in the Tactical Recruitment Program have a fifth event:

• A maximum number of (untimed) continuous pull-ups.

PFT App

Whether you’re an aspiring special agent hoping to see if you have what it takes or a fitness enthusiast curious about the training, this mobile application will help you learn the benchmarks of our official PFT.

IOS (App Store)

Android (Google Play)

Physical Requirements

Hiring Process

The special agent position follows a specialized hiring process. Here's how it's done:

1. Apply for a position

   Apply for the special agent position within the applicant portal.

2. Complete Special Agent Selection System (SASS) Process

   The SASS consists of an information session and comprehensive assessments, including a written exam and physical fitness evaluation.

3. Conditional appointment offer

   Begin the background investigation and pass our physical fitness assessment.

4. Basic Field Training Course (BFTC)

   Complete and graduate from the 18-week BFTC at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia in order to officially join the FBI as a special agent and be assigned to your first office. 

Hiring Process

Download Resources

New Agent Training

It’s the job of the FBI Academy to get New Agent Trainees (NATs) ready to serve. During training, you spend 18 weeks with your peers building the foundation of becoming an agent and learning four major concentrations: academics, case exercises, firearms training, and operational skills.

Classmates support you and become your close friends and partners over the course of your time together. Class supervisors, counselors, and instructors challenge and uplift you.

Upon completion of the BFTC, you are assigned to one of the 56 Field Offices located across the country. You will generally not be assigned to the same location in which your application was processed.

THE ACADEMY

Salary and Benefits

We offer special agents a comprehensive suite of benefits that is comparable to, if not better than, the private sector.

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FBI Police

FBI police play a crucial role in fulfilling our mission. When FBI employees, visitors, or the surrounding public need help, they rely on the dedicated and professional FBI police officers.

FBI Police