How to Become an FBI Agent| FBI Career Guide 2025

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, or FBI, helps keep the United States safe from serious threats.

FBI agents are an elite group of federal employees responsible for tracking down serious criminals and preventing major incidents like terrorist attacks.

Becoming an FBI agent is not easy, but it can be an exciting and rewarding career for individuals who are willing to go through the qualification process.

Steps to Becoming an FBI Agent

Here's what it takes to join the ranks of the nation's elite crime fighters as an FBI agent.

Application Process

Because the role of the FBI is so crucial, a special selection process for the agent role has been created.

The Special Agents Selection System (SASS) process is more thorough than a typical job application process and can take up to one year.

Eligibility Requirements

Here are some initial requirements that all applicants must meet to be considered for the role.

• no felony record
• united States citizen
• have a valid driver's license
• be at least 23 years of age
• have filed all required taxes
• have a college degree

Additional tests will be carried out at later stages but applicants who do not meet these requirements will not pass the initial screening.

Education

Earning a college degree is an important step to becoming an FBI agent. Applicants must complete a bachelor's degree before they will be considered for the force.

Individuals who have completed a bachelor's degree must also have two years of professional work experience.

Applicants who hold a graduate degree only need one year of full-time work experience.

Background Check and Drug Test

Due to the sensitive nature of the work, the FBI conducts a thorough background check on every applicant.

Former employers, romantic partners, and friends may be contacted to provide a character reference.

Applicants will also undergo a polygraph test during a security interview in order to assess the truthfulness of all information provided.

Finally, applicants will be screened for drug use through a urine test. A full medical examination is also part of this process.

Testing

Once applicants have passed these stages of the SASS process, they will complete several forms of assessment tests.

The first test is used to determine aptitude for logical reasoning and problem-solving. Being an FBI agent is a complex role that requires a high degree of intelligence.

The candidate's personality, motivations for joining the Bureau, and situational decision-making abilities are also tested at this stage.

A physical fitness test must also be completed. The physical test includes a 1.5-mile run, 300-meter sprint, pushups, and sit-ups.

Candidates will then go through another round of written tests and interviews with current special agents.

Basic Field Training Course

Once all assessments have been completed, successful candidates will receive a conditional offer.

After accepting the appointment offer, individuals must complete a 16-week training program.

The basic field training course teaches agents many of the skills needed in the field. Agents will learn to handle firearms, use interrogation techniques, and think strategically.

Upon passing the basic training program, agents will be appointed to a role in the field.

What Degree Is Best for Becoming an FBI Agent?

While a bachelor's degree or higher is required to join the Bureau, there are no requirements for the subject of study.

However, certain degrees are advantageous for students interested in becoming FBI agents.

A degree in criminal justice or homeland security is an obvious choice for aspiring special agents but forensic psychology, legal studies, and computer science also provide relevant education.

What Do FBI Agents Do?

While police and law enforcement officers typically handle crimes within their jurisdiction, some special cases call for the involvement of the FBI.

FBI agents investigate the following issues:

• Terrorism
• Cybercrime
• Counterintelligence (espionage)
• Public corruption
• Weapons of mass destruction
• White-collar crime
• Violent crime
• Organized crime

To track down or prevent these crimes, FBI agents work with teams of analysts to use the latest science, technology, and intelligence resources.

Skills Required To Be an FBI Agent

Being an FBI special agent is a multi-faceted role that requires a wide range of skills. The duties carried out by agents vary depending on their appointment and the case they are working on.

Agents will need exceptional analytical skills, a strong understanding of the legal system, and a keen awareness of human psychology.

The role requires agents to think quickly on their feet as well as reason through complex cases in an analytical manner. The ability to speak foreign languages is also a plus.

While an outstanding reasoning capacity is typically considered a key aspect of being a special agent, interpersonal skills such as leadership, conflict resolution, and communication are also important.

Find a Degree Today

To become an FBI agent, you must first complete a bachelor's or master's degree. Find a criminal justice degree program that will prepare you to become a special agent and get started today.