Many of our readers at Top Secret Writers are here because of an interest in the intelligence field, investigation techniques and in intelligence gathering – so it stands to reason that a fair number of our readers come here looking to find FBI agent requirements.
Our recent article covering the FBI salary review was wildly popular, so I’ve decided to cover FBI agent requirements for those of you who are interested in either training for, or applying, to become an FBI agent.
The Top FBI Agent Requirements
There are many misconceptions about being an FBI agent, due to how they are portrayed in the movies. Aside from the basics – being a U.S. citizen, over 23 years old, a college degree and at least three years of work experience – there are a few more specific FBI agent requirements as well.
Special Agent Entry Programs
The Bureau doesn’t hire just anyone off the street. Basically, there are specific career tracks that the Bureau recruits for.
- ->Accounting – You must be a certified CPA or hold a 4 year degree in accounting, or have three years of experience in accounting work.
- ->Information Technology – Must have a computer or engineering related degree.
- ->Languages – Must have a college degree and be proficient in one of the languages that the Bureau has a need for (Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Hebrew, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Pashtu, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Urdu or Vietnamese. You’ll have to prove your proficiency in a series of tests.
- ->Law – Must have a college degree and at least three years of work experience, or a masters degree and two years of work experience.
- ->Diversified – This is a unique area, but so long as you have a degree and work experience, and have unique “other” skills that the Bureau needs, you may fall into this category.
FBI Agent Requirements – Critical Skills
Once you qualify for one of those entry programs, the odds of you actually getting hired depends on whether you have one of the “critical skills” that the FBI is looking for, and in what priority the Bureau needs those skills. Check the FBI Jobs site for specific descriptions of those skills. In general, they fall under the following categories.
- ->Accounting
- ->Finance
- ->Computer/IT expertise
- ->Engineering
- ->Language Proficiency
- ->Intelligence Experience
- ->Law Experience
- ->Law Enforcement/Investigation Experience
- ->Military Experience
- ->Physical Sciences Experience
- ->Diversified Experience
- ->Tactical Ops/Special Forces
Obviously, the more experience you have within these sub-categories, the more likely that you could get hired by the FBI.
Be Prepared to Prove Yourself
In general, the FBI handles itself very much like a military and law enforcement entity in one. Agents feel that they are serving their country, and so if you want to become an agent, you will be held to very high standards. Not the least of which includes physical standards and well as having a clean background.
As part of the application process, you’ll be expected to pass a physical requirements test – so be sure that you are fit and in shape before applying. You will also be put through a rigorous background investigation. If you have a criminal record – don’t waste your time.
Those are the basic FBI agent requirements. If you feel that you can qualify and would like to become an FBI agent, head over to the online FBI job board, search through job listings, and apply!
Ryan Dube is editor-in-chief of TSW and an electrical engineer in the automation industry. He spends his time investigating declassified government documents, legends and conspiracy theories. Ryan has 296 post(s) at Top Secret Writers
You might also like these articles:
 |
 |
 |
