The FBI Academy curriculum also includes intensive training in physical fitness, defensive tactics, practical application exercises and the use of firearms. Over the course of an Agent's career, the FBI provides additional training opportunities to keep him/her updated on the latest developments in the respective specialty fields.
Once you have cleared all tests and requirements, you may be enrolled in a 21-week training program at the FBI academy. This training is a mandatory part of the induction process and all FBI agents must go through it. The program will cover intense physical training, hands-on law enforcement training, and academic learning.
*The FBI provides the following training opportunities for its professional staff:
That depends. FBI New Agent Training (FBI agents-in-training are referred to as NATs) is tough academically but their PT program is less demanding as is their firearms program. I’m less familiar with the training programs of the DHS agencies, but Border Patrol requires Spanish proficiency by graduation and has a fairly demanding firearms program.
To be eligible to even be considered for a job as an FBI agent, you must:
20 weeksAll special agents begin their career at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, for 20 weeks of intensive training at one of the world's finest law enforcement training facilities. During their time there, trainees live on campus and participate in a variety of training activities.
While attending the academy, the base trainee rate remains at the GL-10, step 1 level, which is $52,440 per year as of 2021. In addition to the base salary, special agents training and working in the expensive Washington, D.C area receive locality pay.
First, earn at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited school and work for two years in an area of specialty. Meet all the basic requirements for applicants, and once accepted, go through about 20 weeks of New Agent Training with the FBI at Quantico.
The training includes over 800 hours, including a variety of web-based courses, in four major concentrations: academics, case exercises, firearms training, and operational skills. Currently, new agent training lasts approximately 20 weeks. It's a tough regimen, but trainees don't go it alone.
The FBI accepts fewer than 20% of applicants, making jobs within the bureau highly competitive. Applicants typically begin their candidacy through one of the FBI's various entry programs, all of which are tailored to specific FBI career tracks.
Course Details The cost of training is paid for by the Federal Bureau of Investigations. The approximate cost to train an applicant is $50,000. Applicants must sign an agreement stating that they intend to stay in law enforcement for at least three years after completion of their training.
In its "Special Agents" career profile, the Federal Bureau of Investigation website doesn't indicate any height requirements for agents. Agents do have to meet a number of physical and medical requirements, given the physically demanding aspects of the job.
There's only a very small amount of information that an FBI agent would not be able to share with someone. Unless something or someone is under investigation, we can usually talk about what were working on or have worked on in the past.
It’s one of the most important missions of the FBI Academy: minting new agents. Each special agent must have the knowledge, skills, commitment, and fortitude to investigate terrorists, spies, and a raft of dangerous criminals—all while wielding their law enforcement powers with compassion for those they encounter and respect for the U.S. Constitution and the laws they enforce.
Trainees also receive more than 90 hours of instruction and practical exercises focused on tactics, operations planning, operation of cooperating witnesses and informants, physical and electronic surveillance, undercover operations, and the development and dissemination of intelligence.
As part of the preparation for potential deadly force encounters, all new agent trainees currently receive training with a Bureau-issued pistol, carbine, and shotgun. The FBI’s basic law enforcement firearms training curriculum is grounded in the fundamentals of marksmanship and includes instruction on firearms safety, weapons orientations, weapon handling skills, and live fire training emphasizing marksmanship and practical shooting techniques. To demonstrate proficiency, trainees must successfully qualify with both the pistol and carbine, and participate in live-fire familiarization with the shotgun. The present firearms curriculum is comprised of 28 sessions totaling 110 hours of instruction, and includes approximately 5,000 rounds of ammunition.
As they leave the Academy, the new agents pick up their firearms and ammunition. They are now ready to head out to their first office of assignment and begin work as FBI special agents. They will return to the Academy often for specialized training and refresher courses throughout their careers. Applying to become an FBI Agent.
Currently, new agent training lasts approximately 20 weeks. It’s a tough regimen, but trainees don’t go it alone.
To pass the test, trainees must achieve a minimum cumulative score of 12 points with at least one point in each of four areas: sit-ups in one minute, timed 300-meter sprint, push-ups (untimed), and timed 1.5-mile run.
Defensive tactics training focuses on boxing and grappling, handcuffing, control holds, searches of subjects, weapon retention, and disarming techniques. Safe driving techniques are provided at the Academy’s Tactical Emergency Vehicle Operations Center.
Courses at that time included scientific aids in crime detection, preparation of reports, criminal investigation techniques, and administration and organization. With the advent of World War II, courses were added in espionage and sabotage. Students on the range during a 1936 session of the FBI’s National Academy.
The number of international students began to rise in August 1962, when President Kennedy signed National Security Action Memorandum No. 177 to enhance the training of overseas officers in the United States. As a result, the FBI began accepting up to 20 international law enforcement executives in each National Academy Session.
Has 60 college credit hours or equivalent education experience. Agree to remain in law enforcement for a minimum of three years after graduating from the FBI National Academy.
Brief History of the National Academy. The Academy began July 29, 1935. It was created in response to a 1930 study by the Wickersham Commission that recommended the standardization and professionalization of law enforcement departments across the U.S. through centralized training. With strong support from the International Association of Chiefs ...
Leaders and managers of state, local, county, tribal, military, federal, and international law enforcement agencies attend the FBI National Academy. Participation is by invitation only, through a nomination process. Participants are drawn from every U.S. state and territory and from international partner nations.
The National Academy was launched in 1935 as the “Police Training School.”. China, Canada, and Great Britain were among the first countries to send representatives in the late 1930s, but usually only a few officers per session.
The FBI training facility at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, VA, is the most advanced facility for training, research and education of its kind in the entire world. Its doors are open to police forces in many states and even to foreign partner nations, offering the best possible training to law enforcement of all stripes.
An Investigative Hub. FBI Agents work in close proximity with all of the other federal agencies, including the National Security Administration (NSA), Homeland Security (DHS), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) among others. FBI agents work both at home and overseas, helping to coordinate anti-terror operations ...
The FBI Family. The FBI is a family who are dedicated to the defense and security of the American public. In the past 16 years, the Bureau’s activities have become heavily focused on anti-terrorist activities. However, they also hunt federal criminals who commit the worst of crimes—mass murderers, serial killers, kidnappers, ...
You must also have at least three years of work experience, though advanced degrees can substitute for a year of this work experience. Many prospective agents seek education in law enforcement, criminal justice or a similar field. Foreign language fluency is also a vital skill for field agents.
While training to become an FBI agent, you will spend classroom time learning about a variety of academic and investigative topics. As a future member of law enforcement, you will learn about the fundamentals of law, ethics, behavioral science and forensic science. The ethics training includes trips to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C., aimed at teaching you the importance of upholding justice and civil equality for those you serve. You will also learn essential skills for your career as an FBI agent such as:
During more than 110 instructional hours, you learn about firearms safety and handling, along with live-fire training on marksmanship and shooting techniques. The FBI will issue you a pistol, carbine and shotgun, which you must demonstrate your proficiency with by the end of the 28 sessions.
The FBI Academy has a mock town, Hogan's Alley, where you and other students participate in simulated investigations that involve hired actors playing criminals. Through this simulation, you can conduct interrogations, collect and examine the evidence, arrest suspects and even perform a mock trial. The academy also employs the use of up-to-date technology such as virtual reality, to conduct more efficient training simulations.
To prove you can perform the responsibilities of the job, you'll complete an intensive training program that tests your mental and physical capabilities. By the end of your training, you will have the necessary techniques and tactics to enforce federal laws and protect citizens, enabling you to begin your career as an agent. In this article, we explain the various training and other requirements you must meet to become an FBI agent.
A degree can help you improve reading, writing and research skills as well as a strong foundation in critical thinking, which is necessary for FBI agents.
To begin the application process to become an FBI agent, you'll need to submit a federal resume and a college transcript. You can contact a recruiter at a local FBI field office or use an online portal through the official FBI website.
When you complete BFTC training, you're officially part of the FBI. New agents are assigned to a field office within the United States or sometimes overseas. About half of the new recruits who request a specific field office are granted their first choice. Once you move to your new location, you can begin work as an FBI agent in the field.
Once you pass the physical fitness test, you'll receive a conditional appointment offer that you have to officially accept. You have a week to make a final decision and submit your acceptance form.
FBI Training Academy. If all other steps have been completed and passed the next step of the process is the FBI Training Academy. This is a 20 week program that takes place on campus. After the academy has been completed, you are sworn in as an FBI agent, assigned to a field office, and are placed on a 2 year probationary period where you will be ...
2. Gain Experience. To be considered for a position with the FBI you are required to have a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience in your selected field.
5 Steps to Becoming an FBI Agent. 1. Acquire Your Bachelor’s Degree. To qualify to become an FBI Agent you must first obtain a bachelor’s degree. The degree that is being obtained is dependent upon the entry program you have chosen to pursue. The five entry programs are computer science and information, accounting, language, law, and diversified. ...
The five entry programs are computer science and information, accounting, language, law, and diversified. An internship is a great way to get the feel for which program will suit you best. The FBI offers paid and unpaid internships.