How To Become An FBI Agent | Full Guide

This is a well-detailed article on How to Become an FBI agent, its requirements, and Jobs Available. We advise you to read through to get the full context.

how to become an FBI agent
how to become an FBI agent

Do you think that preventing terrorist acts can help your nation? Having experience with FBI agents may help your career. FBI agents perform interesting and dangerous work, which is far beyond typical careers. The love of service and protection is what drives the FBI agency, to protect means to look out for the Nation therefore, AS an FBI agent you are a Hero.

Law enforcement which includes agencies such as the FBI has been gaining tremendous attention, and the FBI agents have good opportunities to earn money. In the past five years, FBI agents have been paid roughly $80,000 a year for their work.

Furthermore, in this article, we talked about the requirements to become an FBI and the jobs available. Also, questions like What GPA do you need to be an FBI agent? How many years does it take to become an FBI? And many more will be answered in this Article.

What Is The FBI?

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the federal investigating agency and one of the world’s leading law enforcement agencies.

Special agents of the FBI investigate crimes of the federal government and also contribute to the maintenance of security in the United States.

Federal crimes are defined as acts that violate federal laws, as opposed to crimes that violate state or local laws.

Some examples of federal crime include postal fraud, kidnapping, and bank robbery. Criminal activity that crosses national borders is often the responsibility of the FBI.

The FBI was founded in 1908 and was involved in famous cases involving Al Capone, Bonnie and Clyde, the KKK, and John Gotti. The story of the FBI is rich in success stories about protecting the country from a multitude of threats.

It began as a team of special agents during the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt and has become one of the main branches of government.

Although the Federal Bureau of Investigations, often referred to as “the bureau”, initially investigated fraud, banking, and antitrust issues, it now addresses the fight against terrorism, hate crimes, human trafficking, human rights violations, and virtually every type of national threat.

What Are The Roles of An FBI Agent?

FBI Agents’ roles differ according to the case, skill set, and the role they play in the bureau. Every day or case could lead to different work assignments. Even bureaus acknowledge that there are no typical jobs. It is possible to expect certain duties as an FBI agent. These include preparing to testify at trial and working with other agents to complete various tasks. Your roles at the FBI can be different depending upon where you reside and the part that your job is within.

FBI agents use both financial and computer know-how to protect themselves against cyber fraud, theft, and white-collar crime. Also, they fight criminals who steal with advanced techniques.

However, Special agents in the FBI should be efficient regardless of their focus on the following tasks:

  • Collect data
  • Analyze data
  • Survey and questioning
  • Computer knowledge
  • Self-defense
  • Use of Weapons
  • Investigation of changes in criminal patterns
  • Maintaining mental and physical fitness

What Careers Are In The FBI?

FBI employees work in many different jobs and each employee in the category have a different duty assigned to them. Below are the careers in the FBI

#1. Operation intelligence

Operation intelligence is represented by intelligence analysts, specialized agents, surveillance analysts, forensic accountants, and linguist analysts.

#2. Careers in Information Technology

Careers in Information Technology include STEM, business analysis and administration, logistics, arts communication, law, medical counseling, and law enforcement.

#3. Counter-espionage

Counter-espionage must prevent other nations or country that from collecting personal data of the United States. Also, to detect spy activities and prevent data leakage.

#4. Counter-Terrorism

Investigating groups or individuals who may be planning an attack on United States soil.

In summary, Employees can work at any FBI field office across the USA, abroad, and/or in FBI labs.

Salary and career prospects of an FBI

What is the salary for the FBI agents in America? FBI salaries are a bit like those in other fields. The first new federal law enforcement agent is paid on the federal law enforcement officer pay scale, GL-10. The GL-10 pay scale represents $52440 annually. After the completion of the training agents’ salary is determined based on their job assignments. During the initial 2 year probation period the agent will switch to the normal salary structure, and the majority will achieve a GS-13 pay grade — 79,468 an hour — within five years of their employment.

Supervisory and management positions are payed according to GS 14 and GS 15 levels. Brokers also receive local and availability compensation – a salary increase of about 25% due to overtime requirements. GS 14-15 annual salary range: 89,370 USD – 136,659 USD.

What Is The Eligibility Requirement To Become An FBI agent?

All FBI applicants must first research eligibility conditions. Also, you must be a United States citizen who adheres to the drug policy. All aspiring special agents are also required to visit 56 FBI offices multiple times to submit a request for this job. The applicant has to take responsibility for his travel and accommodations that the company does not provide to the agency. In addition, the FBI maintains an extensive database for employment applications. Applicants must be between 22 and 36, hold US citizenship, and have clean and unreported criminal records without convictions

#1. Professional Experience

Applicants must have a minimum of 3 years of professional career experience. Applicants should have at least one year of professional experience before applying for the position

#2. Background

Potential agents undergo a comprehensive background review to assess both suitability and security. Part of the suitability of the check examines past criminal behavior or drug use as well as financial status and previous employment.

#3. Training

All FBI agents begin their careers at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and undergo approximately 21 weeks of intensive training. During their time at the FBI Academy, the trainees live on campus and participate in a variety of activities.

#4. Education requirements for FBI agents

How do prosecutors handle felony cases? You will require at least one bachelor’s degree from an accredited university within the USA to be employed as an FBI agent. Although there is no requirement to obtain a bachelor’s degree in this field, there can be certain minors who are more suitable for this job. Depending on your chosen career path, a master’s degree or equivalent in specialized fields may be in your best interests. Those gaining master’s degrees will likely need less experience on-the-job to be accepted. Potential FBI officers must have a four-year degree from an accredited college or university.

Automatic Disqualifications for Becoming an FBI Agent

A further requirement in determining the eligibility of individuals is an automatic disqualification. You are automatically disqualified if convicted in any manner or if you had any domestic abuse convictions before.

Step By Step on How To Become An FBI Agent

Time Needed : 30 days 30 minutes

Assuming you are already a college graduate and physically fit, you must get through the following steps to become an FBI agent:

  1. Begin the application process. 

    Your first step is to submit a federal resume and college transcript to a recruiter at a local FBI field office or the official FBI website

  2. Selection Process

    There are two tests you must pass to further in the selection process—the first in reasoning, logic, and judgment, and the second consisting of written research reports and a panel interview with three special agents. Official practice tests with sample questions and answers are available on the FBI’s website.

  3. Pass the physical fitness test (PFT). 

    Passing the PFT requires exceptional physical fitness, so training should begin by the onset of the application process. The FBI offers an app called “Fit Test” to help agent trainees prepare for this rigorous test.

  4. Receive a conditional appointment offer. 

    Once you pass the physical fitness test, you’ll be extended a conditional appointment offer of unemployment, at which point you’ll have one week to submit your acceptance.

  5. Pass a background check. 

    This extensive background test required to gain top-secret clearance will include drug testing, medical testing, polygraph testing, and interviews with friends and family. This process can take up to 18 months.

  6. Complete the Basic Field Training Course (BFTC) training at the FBI Academy.

    This is the final phase of the application for FBI agents. All prospective agents must pass 20 weeks of intensive training at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

  7. Accept an assignment to an FBI field office. 

    New agents need to be willing to relocate to the field office where they’re assigned—either within the United States or overseas.

Tools
  • Mobile Phone or PC
Materials
  • Federal Resume and college transcript

FBI Agent Job Training

A new FBI agent must be trained to join the FBI’s training. Field-based training is comprised of four main focus areas: firearm training, academics, casework, and operation skills. Also, The concentration is broad and based on various disciplines and includes behavioral, legal, and ethical issues. Students learn specific skills including reporting, interviewing, examining, and investigating. These courses prepare students for crime-related investigations as well as counterintelligence or counterterrorism operations etc…

Requirements To Work For The FBI

For a job in the FBI, you must take part in competitive and challenging processes where only very small percentages of people actually become FBI agents. Regardless of your field of expertise, the required requirement to be an FBI agent in all capacities is: Be American. Be 23 or 34 years of age. Pass the drug screening and thorough background check.

Visit the FBI job portal below to get a job

Faqs On How To Become An FBI Agent

What GPA do you need to be a FBI agent?

Applicants must maintain at least 3 points per year during application processes or, in the case of collegiate hiring, through graduation

How hard is it to pass the FBI Academy?

FBI training in Quantico FBI agents needs to complete an FBI New Agent Training at the FBI academy to start fieldwork on their projects. Approximately 20 weeks of the training program is one of the most challenging training courses law enforcement will undergo.

How many years does it take to become a FBI?

The process to join the FBI can last several years. It takes four to five years of study. It is also necessary for the candidate to have two years experience as an aspiring freelancer.

What will disqualify you from FBI?

Candidates must not use any other illicit drug in the 10 years before applying for a job. In addition, candidates are prohibited from selling or distributing illicit drugs or controlled drugs.

How long is FBI Academy?

The FBI Academy in Quantico is a highly rated training program aimed at educating law enforcement officers worldwide. During their stay at this institution students live in the campus and take part in diverse training activities.

Conclusion

FBI agents perform interesting and dangerous work, which is far beyond typical careers. The love of service and protection is what drives the FBI agency, to protect means to look out for the Nation therefore, AS an FBI agent you are a Hero.

After reading this article, you must have been able to successfully become an FBI agent if not, then you need to read again. In addition, CurrentFAQs is always here to answer your questions in the best possible way we can kindly drop your questions in the comment section below or Use the Contact Us Page.

Reference

Criminal justice degree School – https://www.criminaljusticedegreeschools.com/

Indeed – https://www.indeed.com/career

FBI – https://www.fbijobs.gov/

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