Special Agent
LIMITLESS
OPPORTUNITIES
We are looking for special agent applicants who come from a broad range of backgrounds, expertise, and professional experiences. Our mission-critical work requires unique skill sets and perspectives to conduct criminal and national security investigations.
Highlights
- Average new agent salary range of $81K to $129K, supervisors can earn more
- Variety of career trajectories
- Pension Plan and 401(k)
- Eligible to retire after 20 years
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.
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)
Of the requirements, these are critical:
- Have not used marijuana or cannabis in any form (natural or synthetic) and in any location (domestic or foreign) within the one (1) year preceding the date of their application for employment.
- Have not used any illegal drug within last ten (10) years preceding the date of the application for employment. Additionally, candidates cannot have sold, distributed, manufactured, or transported any illegal drug or controlled substance without legal authorization.
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, please review the FBI Eligibility document.
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.
Hiring Process
The special agent position follows a specialized hiring process. Here's how it's done:
Apply for a position
Apply for the special agent position within the applicant portal.
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.
Conditional appointment offer
Begin the background investigation and pass our physical fitness assessment.
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.
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.
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 have the drive and leadership skills to take on new challenges and protect their communities.
Salary and Benefits
We offer special agents a comprehensive suite of benefits that is comparable to, if not better than, the private sector.
Salary and Incentives
$81K - $129K |
EVERY DAY IS DIFFERENT |
STAY FIT AND HEALTHY |
TRAVEL/WORK ABROAD |
RELOCATION BENEFITS |
Paid Time Off
13-26 DAYS |
|
11 DAYS |
13 DAYS |
15 DAYS |
12 WEEKS |
Agent Stories
FBI special agents come from diverse backgrounds. Learn how your expertise fits.
Scot Huntsberry: I rescued a little girl from a circumstance that was unspeakable. I will never forget the look in her eyes when she realized that she wasn’t gonna have to go back.
Marlo Graham: It’s one thing to know that the work that I’m doing is protecting the community. But it’s an even bigger deal to know that the work that I’m doing is also protecting my children. It’s everything.
Susanna Iljazi: In the immigrant community I grew up in, there were certain expectations about women and their role in society. No matter what your circumstances in life, if there is something you want to do, you should pursue it. I was told that a woman cannot do a man’s job. I’m here to prove them wrong.
Marlo: The FBI has had women Special Agents for a little over 40 years. The network of female Special Agents, they were resources to me and other new Agents. A person’s life experience shapes what kind of Agent they will be. It shapes what kind of person they are. It’s people with a different background, with a different history, with a different set of experiences that make the FBI a special place.
Scot: So, in college I studied biology. My first job out of college was as a high school science teacher. When I showed up to the Academy, I really thought that my class would be full of former military and law enforcement officers, but I realized that I wasn’t alone, that there were folks from very different backgrounds sitting to my left and my right. If I can do it, anyone can do it.
Susanna: Every assignment I have, I get absorbed into it and I want to do my best each and every time. Because, again, the mission is great. And the people make it even better. The sense of family you get at the FBI--you don’t find that anywhere else.
Scot: But I think the thing that really sets FBI Agents apart is our ability to be flexible, creative, and deep down there’s a need to serve the American people.
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