Position 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.

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Eligibility

The Special Agent Selection System (SASS) is a multi-step process designed to find individuals who will be successful in this job.

Physical Requirements

To ensure you are able to meet the physical requirements of this position, you will be required to provide medical documentation from your personal physician, show proof of required vaccinations, and complete additional medical examinations. You must also 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 will 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.

IOS (App Store)

Android (Google Play)

Physical Requirements

Hiring Process

The special agent position follows a specialized hiring process. Here's how it's done:

1. Apply for a position

   Apply for the special agent position within the applicant portal.

2. Complete Special Agent Selection System (SASS) process

   The SASS consists of multiple phases including comprehensive testing, a meet and greet, a writing assessment, a structured interview, and a physical fitness assessment.

3. Conditional appointment offer

   Begin the background investigation and pass our physical fitness assessment.

4. Basic Field Training Course (BFTC)

   Complete and graduate from the 16-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. 

Hiring Process

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New Agent Training

It’s the job of the FBI Academy to get New Agent Trainees (NATs) ready to serve. You will spend 16 weeks with your peers building the foundation of becoming an agent and learning four major concentrations: academics, case exercises, firearms training, and operational skills.

You will be supported by your classmates—who become close friends and partners over the course of your time together—and by class supervisors, counselors, and instructors who challenge and uplift you.

Upon completion of the BFTC, you will be 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.

THE ACADEMY