The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the primary law enforcement agency of the United States. The FBI’s main focus is to protect national security and uphold justice. To become a special agent, you must be a U.S. citizen and at least 20 years old. You must also have at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and pass an extensive background check as well as psychological testing.
If you are interested in becoming an FBI special agent, you first need to fulfill certain requirements before applying for the position. These include being at least 20 years old and being a U.S. citizen, having either a bachelor’s degree or two years of work experience after high school, possessing excellent communication skills and computer skills, being able to pass both physical and psychological exams, having excellent vision and hearing, having no history of substance abuse or criminal activity in the past ten years, passing all required tests during training school (including medical exam), having no felony convictions on your record (excluding minor traffic violations), having good moral character as determined by your references, passing state licensing exams for carrying firearms (if required), having no prior military service (except in wartime),
How To Become Fbi Special Agent
Special Agent Selection System
The Special Agent Selection System (SASS) is designed to identify applicants suited to become special agents. The application and clearance process is thorough and can be lengthy, but an Applicant Coordinator will help guide you through the entire process.
Create a profile in the applicant portal to apply, view jobs, and more!
Application & Screening
To begin, you must submit a completed application packet including a federal resume, transcripts, and any applicable military or prior federal employment documentation. A comprehensive list of forms can be found on the Documents and Downloads page.
The screening process is dependent upon the submission of all application materials, overall application volume, and current needs of the FBI. Follow the guidelines in the special agent job posting to expedite your application processing.
U.S. Citizens Living Abroad
You must have resided in the United States for three out of the last five years. If you currently reside abroad, you will have to travel to the United States for all testing at your own expense. You may choose whichever processing field office is most convenient.
Core Competencies
You will be evaluated against our Core Competencies throughout the process. These eight specialized traits represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities that all of our employees are expected to cultivate and apply to their important work in fulfilling our mission.
Core Competencies
- CollaborationLiaise, demonstrate political savvy, show respect, share information
- CommunicationPersuade, listen and interpret, speak clearly, write clearly
- Flexibility and adaptabilityAdapt, manage change
- InitiativeBe proactive, develop self, follow through
- Interpersonal abilityEstablish rapport, be sensitive to differences, resolve and manage conflict, work with others
- LeadershipMentor, direct, inspire, set strategic direction
- Organizing and planningPlan, prioritize
- Problem solving and judgmentIdentify problems and opportunities, make decisions, manage risks, accept responsibility, evaluate and analyze
Read about all our Core Competencies and how they are evaluated in our Core Competencies Guide.
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Evaluation
The Evaluation phase consists of multiple tests and in-person reviews.
Phase I Test
The Phase I test is a computerized test within a proctored environment. This is a three-hour exam consisting of five assessments: Logic-Based Reasoning, Figural Reasoning, Personality Assessment, Preferences and Interests, and Situational Judgment. Once invited, you will have 21 days to schedule and complete your Phase I test. You will receive a notification if you passed within one hour of completing the test.
Meet and Greet
The Meet and Greet session is typically conducted by your processing field office (PFO). During this session, one or more evaluators will conduct an in-person review of your application and validate the information you submitted. Your information will then be evaluated to assess your competitiveness for Phase II.
Physical Fitness Test
After the Meet and Greet, you will need to pass the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) with a minimum score of nine points, with at least one point in three of the events and no less than a zero in any one event. A negative score in any of the four events is considered a failure.
Training doesn’t stop there. You will be required to take the PFT again and achieve a minimum score within 120 days before you report to the BFTC.
For more information on the PFT, check out the Physical Requirements page and the PFT Training Guide download below.
Phase II Test
Phase II consists of a writing assessment and a structured interview conducted by a panel of three special agents.
You will receive your cumulative Phase II results within two weeks of completing both portions of the test.
BECOME A SPECIAL AGENT
Our special agents have a range of backgrounds, education, and skill sets that collectively allow us to stay ahead of threats. Special agents are individuals with leadership abilities who are motivated to take on new challenges and set moral standards for their colleagues and teams.
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Clearance Process
Once you successfully complete and pass the Phase II Test and the PFT, you will be issued a Conditional Appointment Offer (CAO).
Hiring is contingent upon your successful completion of the remaining SASS components, including the polygraph examination test, medical evaluation, and background investigation.
Background Investigation
Once you receive a CAO, you will need to complete a background investigation to obtain a Top-Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Clearance.
The background investigation includes a Personnel Security Interview (PSI), polygraph examination, drug test, fingerprinting, and medical examination. It also includes credit and arrest checks, interviews with associates and references, and verification of educational achievements.
