How to Work for the FBI: A Guide

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) adheres to a mission of protecting Americans and championing the US Constitution. Determining where to focus its efforts and resources to best achieve this mission while prioritizing its vision of staying “Ahead of the Threat”[1] requires the FBI to prioritize the responsibilities that fall under its mission and abide by its guiding principles.

If you are considering applying to the FBI, you must first familiarize yourself with those principles: people, partnerships, processes, and innovation.

You can learn more about how to work for the FBI by exploring the career paths available within the agency, the qualifications you might need to work for the FBI, and details about the organization’s application process.

What does the FBI do?

The FBI’s work is multifaceted and includes conducting investigations to protect the United States from terrorist attacks, foreign intelligence, espionage, and cyber operations; combating public corruption, transnational criminal enterprises, and both violent and white-collar crimes; and protecting civil rights.

The agency provides education to help people avoid becoming victims of scams, crime, and fraud. They work to ensure the rights of crime victims and help victims cope with crime. At FBI headquarters and in field offices across the country, it engages in community outreach, such as Citizen Academies, Community Awareness Presentations, and the Community Engagement Council. Crimes related to air travel fall under the agency’s jurisdiction. Among other crimes, it investigates bomb threats, assaults, and thefts that occur on airplanes or at the airport, as well as crimes that interfere with flight crew members and airport security personnel.

What do FBI agents do?

A “typical day” does not exist for an FBI agent. As a field agent, your duties might include testifying in court, executing search warrants, researching and gathering evidence, meeting with sources, making arrests, surveilling, coordinating with local authorities, and completing paperwork—sometimes all in the same week. An agent may also specialize in areas like public affairs or lab services. If you’re part of the scientific division, you might work in a lab or in the field collecting and analyzing evidence.

FBI career paths

The agency offers a wide variety of career paths. From intelligence analysts to financial experts to scientists, the FBI has opportunities for people from a variety of backgrounds with a range of experiences. 

Review some options to help choose a career path that could resonate with your skills, interests, and long-term goals.

Technology: The FBI employs technology professionals such as computer scientists, information technology specialists, digital forensic examiners, and more to keep the nation’s computer systems safe, identify international espionage, and combat malware attacks.

Engineering: Professionals in this area at the FBI promote innovation and take on projects that make the FBI's missions possible. As an engineer at the FBI, you might design a field office, test algorithms, or analyze explosive devices. Varying types of engineers work at the agency, including civil, mechanical, electrical, energy, electronics, and forensic engineers.

Mathematics and Data: Cryptologic mathematicians, cryptanalysts, data analysts, and data scientists can also find roles at the FBI. These mathematicians develop creative solutions to an array of computational problems.

Forensic Science: Forensic professionals analyze evidence, investigate crimes, and tackle complex challenges. Examples of roles in forensic science include forensic accountants, digital forensic examiners, and evidence technicians. 

Skilled trades: From automotive repair to carpentry, skilled trades professionals play an integral role at the FBI. At the agency, you can find tradespeople such as locksmiths, electricians, automotive technicians, and electronics technicians. 

Entry-level: As a learner or recent graduate, you might find an internship or entry-level program that works for you at the FBI. The Honors Internship program, which is geared towards undergraduate students in their junior and senior years and graduate students pursuing specific degrees, serves as an opportunity for students to work alongside agency professionals. The FBI also has a collegiate hiring initiative, a visiting scientist program, and many other initiatives to provide opportunities to aspiring agents. 

What qualifications do you need to work for the FBI?

Before you begin the application process, you should review the skills and traits valuable to the FBI and its eligibility requirements. 

Eligibility requirements

• Be a US citizen.

•  Be registered with the Selective Service if applicable.

• Adhere to FBI drug policy and pass a urinalysis.

• Have no criminal record and pass a background investigation showing no engagement with organizations hostile towards the United States.

• Possess a public record in good standing, including having filed all required taxes and paid child support payments and student loan repayments in a timely manner.

To become a special agent within the FBI, you will need to meet the following additional requirements:

• Have a bachelor’s degree at a minimum from a US-accredited institution and have two or more years of full-time work experience.

• Apply after your twenty-third and before your thirty-sixth birthday unless you meet stipulations like having experience in federal law enforcement or veteran’s preference.

• Possess a valid driver’s license.

• Meet the physical requirements and be able to obtain top-secret clearance.

Degree recommendations

If you are applying for a special agent position, the FBI requires a bachelor’s degree but does not stipulate a preference for any one focus of study. Degrees in a variety of areas can help prepare for a job at the FBI. For example, if you would like to work on profiling or negotiation, you might benefit from a psychology, political science, or sociology degree. 

Degrees in accounting or finance can be helpful if you are part of the white-collar crime division. If crime scene investigation interests you, consider a degree in forensic science. Meanwhile, areas such as computer science and cybersecurity can prepare you for the cybercrime unit. Finally, a degree in criminal justice can offer you an understanding of the laws and procedures applicable to many of an FBI agent's daily tasks.

Relevant experience and skills

If you possess strong deductive skills, flexibility, moral character, sound judgment, and an appreciation for discretion, you might be a great fit for a job at the FBI. The agency identifies eight core competencies as indicators of the skills they look for in successful FBI employees. The FBI expects its employees to cultivate and apply the skills, knowledge, and abilities represented by these traits: 

• Collaboration

• Communication

• Flexibility and adaptability

• Interpersonal ability

• Initiative

• Leadership

• Problem-solving and judgment

• Organizing and planning

Physical requirements

The job of an FBI special agent can be physically demanding, requiring the FBI to have rigorous physical requirements for potential employees. In addition to more details about the following requirements, the FBI website provides guidelines on passing scores and training tips for preparing for the Physical Fitness Test (PFT). 

• You will have to provide medical documentation about things like past hospitalizations and chronic medical conditions. You will also need to submit proof that you received all necessary vaccinations. 

• Additionally, you will need to complete the PFT several times as you move through the hiring process. This test records the maximum number of sit-ups you can do in a minute and the maximum number of push-ups you can do (untimed), a timed 300-meter sprint, and a 1.5-mile run.

• The FBI will also evaluate your vision and hearing to determine your eligibility for the job you are applying for. 

How to work for the FBI

The FBI’s application process differs from what you might traditionally find with other jobs. The agency follows a multistep evaluation process called the Special Agent Selection System (SASS). This 10-step process consists of an application and a multiphase evaluation followed by clearance and training. Throughout the application process, your alignment with and knowledge of the FBI’s core competencies are evaluated on an ongoing basis. The FBI provides an applicant coordinator to help you through the rigorous process. 

1. Application and screening: This portion of the process depends on your ability to follow the guidelines in the job posting and attach all necessary forms to your application. Be sure you include all prior work experience. If you’re a military veteran, attach the documentation necessary for the veteran’s preference.

2. Phase one test: This is a three-hour computerized test administered in a proctored environment. You will have 21 days after receiving an invitation to take the test to schedule and complete it. You can expect assessments on logic-based and figural reasoning, personality, preferences and interests, and situational judgment.

3. Meet and greet: This offers an excellent chance to learn about the special agent position you are applying for and the hiring process. Your processing field office usually conducts this session. 

4. PFT: You’ll need nine or more points to pass, with at least one point in three events and no less than zero in any event, to move on to the next phase. The re-administration of this test may occur at any time before the Basic Field Training Course (BFTC) unless you pass with a score of 12 or higher. 

5. Phase two test: During the phase two test, you can expect to complete a writing assessment that agents will use to evaluate your ability to analyze data and compose reports on that data. Once you have completed the writing assessment, you’re eligible for the structured interview portion of phase two.

6. Conditional appointment offer: You can expect a conditional appointment offer within seven days of successfully completing the phase two requirement. You’ll still need to meet all remaining SASS requirements.

7. Background investigation: This step consists of a personal security interview, polygraph exam, drug test, and fingerprinting, as well as credit and arrest checks, interviews with associates and references, and verification of educational achievements. This process can take up to 18 months. 

8. Fit for Duty medical exam: This exam involves a medical provider who performs a thorough physical exam and reviews your medical history and physical exam components.

9. Pre-Quantico physical fitness test: Although you likely completed the PFT earlier in the process, if you did not score a 12 or higher when you did so, you may have to demonstrate your physical readiness to perform the duties of an agent again at this time. 

10. BFTC: BFTC assignments occur three to six months before your arrival date. This 18-week course helps you prepare for your new role by offering the foundational knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform your job.

In addition to the applicant coordinator who helps you through this process, the FBI provides guides on testing, physical training, and resume writing, as well as a resume template and in-depth descriptions of their core competencies.

Build skills that can help you qualify to work for the FBI on Coursera

Although the process may be lengthy, pursuing a career at the FBI can offer you a range of experiences and the opportunity to work for one of the most prestigious agencies in the nation. 

To prepare for a career at the FBI, you could develop valuable leadership skills through Dartmouth’s Strategic Leadership: Impact, Change, and Decision-Making Specialization or further your understanding of cybersecurity with the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate or the Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate on Coursera. Finally, if data science at the FBI is more interesting to you, consider the Meta Data Analyst Professional Certificate or the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate.