What Are The Requirements To Be An FBI Agent?

If you like to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), you would need to complete a lot of paperwork, submit to a lot of physical exams and take a battery of tests. For some, the application phase is the most complicated and time-consuming part of becoming an FBI agent.

What are the requirements to become an FBI agent?

Personal Requirements

• Must be a citizen of the United States or the Northern Mariana Islands
• Must be 23 years old or not older than 37 years old upon submission of application. The FBI reserves the right to consider candidates who are older than 37 if they have shown exemplary performance in their individual field of employment.
• Hold a valid US driver’s license
• Clean criminal record & a good credit history (the FBI subjects all candidates to undergo a full background check)

Physical Requirements

• Must be physically fit to train and travel extensively
• Able to finish the physical exam which includes a timed sprint, sit-ups, push-ups and a one and a half mile run.
• Pass the FBI-administered urinalysis test for drug testing
• Visual acuity of 20/200 or 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other eye. If you had eye surgeries in the past but have completely healed, submit a medical certificate from your ophthalmologist to prove your condition.
• Able to pass the color vision test
• According to the FBI, you cannot apply to become an agent if you go beyond the following hearing standards:

1. Average hearing loss of 25 decibels at 1000-3000 Hertz
2. Single reading of 35 decibels at 1000-3000 decibels
3. Single reading of 35 decibels at 500 Hertz and
4. Single reading of 45 decibels at 4000 Hertz

Education Requirements

• Holder of a Bachelor’s degree in fields like Languages, Law, Accounting, Computer Science, Information Technology and other related courses.
• Specializations or those who have additional skills in Finance, Engineering, and Foreign Language, Intelligence experience, Law enforcement, Military experience and physical sciences have more chances of landing a job in other FBI departments.

 Experience Requirements

• Aspiring FBI agents need to have at least 3 years experience in their respective fields.
• Any previous experience in the military or investigative industries can help you adjust with the demanding work nature of the protection agency.

Additional Requirements

• Driving skills
• Firearms training
• Survival and emergency skills
• Leadership training

For an FBI agent, health is everything. If you want to be in the industry, you have to be in top shape and should be able to maintain a healthy lifestyle all throughout your career. The work environment is demanding and physically challenging and you just can’t afford to be sick and go on leave anytime you want. And because all the other requirements are so extensive, you have to totally prepare yourself before you decide this is the industry you want to work in.

Related posts:

1. How To Become An FBI Agent
2. What Are The Requirements To Be A Border Patrol Agent?
3. How Long Does It Take To Be A Border Patrol Agent?
4. How Much Does A Border Patrol Agent Make?
5. What Does A Border Patrol Agent Do?