How to Become an FBI Agent
It is the primary responsibility of FBI agents to ensure national security and to investigate cases of terrorism, civil rights violations, counter-intelligence threats, violent crimes, organized crimes, white collar crimes and other crimes that involve counter intelligence and crossing of state lines, just to name a few. The bureau works as an investigative support team for other law enforcement agencies at different levels (federal, state, or local). Due to the importance of the job, there are several key factors you must fulfill to become an FBI agent.
Requirements for FBI Agents
There are several minimum requirements to become an FBI agent:
• You must be a US citizen or a citizen of a Northern Mariana Islands.
• Your age should be 23 years old and not more than 37 years of age when applying to become an FBI agent.
• You must have a 4 year degree from any college or university recognized by the government. A degree in criminal justice is very ideal for a career as an FBI agent. Degrees in accounting, engineering, and computer science are also desired.
• You must have a minimum of 3 years of work experience in the chosen field.
• You must have a valid driver’s license and must be ready to work in any location under the jurisdictions of the FBI.
Aspiring FBI agents will have to undergo full background check and must pass a drug screening test before you can become an FBI agent. They should have a clean record meaning, they must have no felonies or any questionable information in their records. For the males, they should have not failed to register with their selective service. The background check will involve checking one’s credit history and conducting interviews with one’s family, friends, and even teachers.
Extensive interviews must be conducted because FBI jobs must have authorized security clearances in order to access top secret or classified information within the bureau and other government agencies.
FBI candidates must also pass a physical agility test which consists of doing as many push-ups as possible in 1 minute, a timed 300 meter sprint, and a timed 1 ½ mile run. Candidates will only have 3 chances to complete and pass the physical agility test.
FBI Agent Training
Those who are able to complete the application process and have passed the background check, drug screening, and physical agility test will proceed to train at the FBI academy in Quantico, Virginia until they become assigned to another location.
FBI Agent Job Prospects and Salary Expectations
The FBI recruits people as Special FBI agents when they possess at least one of these critical skills: Computer Science, Accounting, Law Experience, Engineering, Foreign language expertise, Military experience, Diversified experience, Basic Science Experience, and Intelligence experience.
The starting salary for an FBI agent is approximately $48,000 per year.
