How to Become an FBI Agent

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the premier and foremost law enforcement agency in USA, which deals with all internal crime investigation and also serves as an internal intelligence agency. Its motto "Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity" itself talks about what kind of candidates FBI is looking out for, as future special agents. This article is all about how to become an FBI agent.

Remember Clarice Starling from the 'Silence of the Lambs' played by Jodie Foster? Whenever I think about what it means to be an FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) agent, I remember special agent Starling! As the movie opens up with her training in the woods, a sign looms in the background of the woods through which she is jogging. The sign says "Agony, Pain, Hurt-Love it". This slogan sums up what it takes to become an FBI agent. This article talks about how to become an FBI agent for all those brave aspirants who aim at being one. I would say that you have chosen one of the best career opportunities ever.

Before getting into how to become an FBI agent, I need to reveal certain ground realities. This job is not for the faint hearted, and if you are thinking about how to become an FBI agent for the glamor factor, please think again! To be among one of the best FBI agents, you must be ready to subject your mind and body to high degree of stress and rigor. You need to overcome fear and get used to it being a constant companion. Attention to detail and a passion for solving problems or puzzles, are some of the qualities that are looked out for, in special agents of the FBI. Becoming an FBI special agent is one of the best government jobs you could opt for.

Your mind and body need to be alert and ready for any eventuality, every time you are out in the field. It is a very hectic and unpredictable life, which demands a sacrifice of family life and all other priorities in life. The greatest thing is, it is an opportunity to safeguard whatever is true and worth fighting for. Thanks to the FBI agents and other law enforcement personnel, the American dream of freedom and justice for all is a reality! So if you are ready to put all other priorities of life aside and devote it to safeguard law and order in the country, becoming an FBI agent is the career path for you! Let us get into the details of how to become an FBI special agent.

How to Become an FBI Special Agent?
The FBI looks out for bright minds with an appetite for daredevilry and adventure or who have an expertise in their field and who can hold their own, placing integrity above everything else. If you think you have it in you, then keep reading to know how to become an FBI agent.

There are various entry points to become an FBI special agent as FBI needs people from diverse fields to investigate crime. Before going into the details of those entry points, let us look at the basic qualifications you need to become an FBI Special Agent.

Basic Requirements to Become an FBI Agent
Here are the basic requirements to become an FBI agent:

• You must be a citizen of United States of America or a citizen of Northern Mariana islands.
• Your age should not be more than 37 years or less than 23 years when you are applying to become an FBI agent.
• You must have a four year degree from any government recognized university or college.
• It is mandatory that you have minimum three years of work experience in your field.
• You must have a valid driver's license and you must be ready to work in any place which comes under jurisdictions of the FBI.
• You have to subject yourself to rigorous background checks and tough fitness tests in order to qualify. The fitness test includes a 300 meter run, push ups, one minute sit ups and a 1.5 mile long run. There is a polygraph test (Lie Detector Test) too.

There are various FBI special entry programs through which you could apply according to your specific area of expertise. To become a special agent you must qualify for one of these special agent entry programs. Let us have a look at the five entry programs to become an FBI agent, one at a time.

How to Become an FBI Agent through Accounting Program
Accounting careers can land you a job in the FBI! To qualify according to the accounting program:

• You must have a certification as a CPA
• You must possess a four year degree with a major in accounting.
• You must have at least three years of extensive and progressive work experience in a professional firm.

How to Become an FBI Agent through Computer Science/Information Technology Program
To qualify according to this program, you need :

• Either a degree in computer science or information technology, an electrical engineering degree, CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional) certification or CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert) certification
• Applicants with CCNP or CCIE certification must also possess a degree in arts or science field.

How to become an FBI Agent through Language Program
To qualify according to this program and become an FBI agent:

• You must possess a BS or BA degree in any field along with expertise in any of the languages which will be useful to the FBI.
• Currently FBI is looking for people with a mastery in Chinese, Arabic, Hindi, Farsi, Hebrew, Korean, Japanese, Pashtu, Russian, Punjabi, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese and Urdu.(whew!)

How to become an FBI Agent through Law Program
To become an FBI agent through the Law Program you need:

• Law Degree
• 3 years Professional experience.

How to Become an FBI Agent through Diversified Program
If you want to qualify according to the diversified program then you need to have a BS or BA degree along with at least three years of work experience or a postgraduate degree with two years of work experience.

Critical Skills to Become an FBI Agent
After you get qualified through any of these entry programs, you are sorted according to certain critical skills which form the recruitment criteria for the FBI. FBI is currently recruiting people as Special FBI agents who possess at least one of the following critical skills:

• Accounting
• Computer Science/IT expertise
• Engineering Expertise
• Foreign Language Expertise
• Law Experience
• Intelligence Experience
• Diversified Experience
• Military Experience
• Basic Science Experience (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)

The more skill sets you qualify for, the better it is. FBI recruit experts from every field. The FBI advertises itself as an equal opportunity employer, who supports diversity in its workforce. After selection, the candidate would undergo a rigorous training program, according to the kind of operation you are selected for.

Hope that after reading this article, you have no doubts as to how to become an FBI agent. For more on this, read "FBI Agent Job Description".

FBI is one of the most powerful law enforcement agencies in the world. Becoming an FBI agent is one of the most adventurous careers that you could pursue. One day you will be one of those people in black suits and black goggles, who are always in the background, quietly doing their job. All the best for your career as an FBI agent!