What Do FBI Agents Do?

FBI agents often appear to have thrilling careers that could serve as movie plots. That said, they don't always spend their days chasing criminals and rescuing victims.

In this article, we'll talk about what FBI agents do on a daily basis, what skills they need to have, and the steps you can take if you want to become an FBI agent.

What Is the FBI?

FBI stands for Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is a national government agency which is housed within the U.S. Department of Justice.

The FBI is tasked with addressing and nullifying national threats such as terrorism, human trafficking, espionage, high-level corruption, and organized violent crime.

The FBI has strict employment requirements for its special agents that ensure they are capable of handling the dangerous and often traumatic nature of their job.

What Do FBI Agents Do?

FBI agents carry out the daily tasks associated with fighting crime and protecting US citizens. They are essentially high-level law enforcement professionals.

FBI agents perform many duties, and their tasks may vary from day to day depending on the needs of the organization.

For example, they may spend one day gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses, the next day participating in a major crime bust, and the next providing testimony in court.

Other job duties may include:

• keeping records and filing reports
• arresting criminals
• training new agents
• infiltrating crime groups
• monitoring suspects

FBI agents have the opposite of a typical 9-to-5 job. Each day is different from the last, and they spend much of their professional careers on-call. They may be transferred to a new location anytime.

What Skills Are Needed To Be an FBI Agent?

Those hoping to become an FBI agent must meet a wealth of requirements to qualify for the job. They must also go through a strenuous hiring process.

They must be courageous, physically strong and fit, and willing to put themselves in harm's way to protect their country.

They must have excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills, as well as a strong attention to detail. All of these traits will help them in gathering evidence and conducting investigations.

They should have strong communication skills, as they often have to interview witnesses and victims, interrogate suspects, speak professionally in court, and collaborate with other FBI agents.

They must be willing to relocate as needed, work long hours, and routinely go above and beyond the call of duty to solve cases.

If you're interested in becoming an FBI agent, these are the steps you'll need to take to complete the hiring process.

Step 1: Meet All Prerequisites

Before you apply with the FBI, make sure you qualify for the job by meeting all of the prerequisites. You must:

• be between 23 and 36 years old
• be a U.S. citizen
• hold a bachelor's degree and have two years of professional experience
• have a valid driver's license
• meet basic physical requirements
• obtain SCI clearance from the FBI

You will automatically disqualify for work with the FBI if you:

• fail to pay taxes or child support
• are a convicted felon or have been convicted of a violent misdemeanor
• fail a drug test or violate the FBI's drug policy
• participate in treasonous behavior
• default on a student loan
• fail to register for the Selective Service where applicable

If you meet all the qualifications and prerequisites, you can fill out a job application with the FBI and submit it along with a resume and college transcript.

Step 2: Pass Each Application Phase

The application process has several steps. You must successfully pass each step to continue the hiring process.

The first step, known as Phase I, is a three-hour-long computerized exam. The exam tests you in areas such as situational judgment and figural reasoning to evaluate how you will perform as an FBI agent.

The second step is a meet-and-greet-style interview at your local field office. During this interview, several agents will assess your personality, verify your information, and evaluate your potential as an agent.

The third step is called Phase II. It consists of both a written exam and a structured interview at a regional FBI office.

You will also need to submit to and pass a background check during this process.

Step 3: Receive a Conditional Offer

If you pass each step of the initial hiring process, you will receive a conditional offer of employment. This offer does not guarantee that you will become an agent however.

At this point, you are about two-thirds of the way through the hiring process. The conditional employment offer is commonly called a conditional appointment offer, or CAO.

This offer is typically made soon after you have completed Phase II, and in most cases you will need to accept the offer within a week.

Step 4: Pass a Fitness Test

Before you can begin working as an FBI agent, you will need to demonstrate your ability to handle the physical demands of the job. You do this by passing a fitness test.

The test consists of a timed 300-meter sprint, a timed one-and-a-half mile run, and performing sets of push-ups, pull-ups, and sit-ups.

Scores range from -2 to 10 for each event. To pass the test, you must receive a cumulative score of at least 9 points, with no less than a score of 0 on any one event.

Step 5: Complete Basic Field Training

Finally, you will need to complete an FBI Basic Field Training Course in Virginia.

This course will last for 16 weeks and provide targeted training in interrogation, defense and arrest tactics, and other skills you will need to succeed as an FBI agent.

The training program will provide simulations of real-life scenarios you may encounter, allowing you to practice what you learn.

If you pass the training course, you will be assigned to an FBI field office and will officially begin your career as an FBI agent.

Become an FBI Agent

FBI agents have dangerous careers that often involve apprehending dangerous criminals, infiltrating crime groups, and addressing terrorism threats.

If you meet the requirements and want to become an FBI agent, you can follow the steps above to pursue this intense and rewarding career.