There's more to it than just the black suit and shades.  FBI agents are extensively trained for a tough and demanding job.  Being an FBI agent makes you a part of a close-knit government agency dedicated to public service.  It stimulates your thinking, analyzing and problem solving skills.  But most importantly you are trained to chase terrorists, spies, and criminals both at home and abroad to help make our world safer. 

Think you've got what it takes?  Here are the requirements:

If you pass all the criteria listed below, you are eligible to apply to be a FBI agent:
□    I'm a U.S. citizen or citizen of the Northern Mariana Islands
□    I'm at least 23 years old, but no older than 37
□    I have a valid driver's license
□    I've never convicted a felony
□    I have a four-year degree from an accredited college or university
□    I have at least three years of professional work experience
□    I can pass a drug test and haven's violated the FBI drug policy:
□    I have not used marijuana in the past three years and have never used it at length or over a substantial period of time.  
□    I have not used any other illegal drug at all in the past 10 years
□    I have not used an illegal drug, no matter how long ago, while in a law enforcement or prosecutorial position, or in a position which carries with it a high level of responsibility or public trust.  
□    I've never defaulted on a student loan insured by the U.S. government
□    I can qualify in one of five entry areas: accounting, computer science/information technology, language, law, or diversified.  
□    I'm in good health and in good shape and could pass the mandatory fitness test

In addition to a fitness test, there are also vision and hearing requirements along with a medical review.  Each is discussed below.  

Phase I: If you apply and hear a reply from the FBI accepting your initial application,
you will need to obtain a top secret clearance.  This includes an extensive full background
investigation that includes a:

1. Polygraph Exam to check your written responses against your verbal responses...and to intimidate the hell out of you.
 
2. Drug Urinalysis Test to see how hard you party.  You can have smoked a little pot, but not for the past two years.

3. Credit and Record Checks (those with bad debt will be labeled more likely to sell government secrets and rejected so keep tabs on your credit card)

4. Extensive Interviews with Family, Friends, Colleagues, etc to determine your level of sanity, check your answers about drug and alcohol use, and find out if you build bombs in the backyard.

Phase II: If you clear the background investigation you will proceed to this phase, which is made up of 22 long and intensive weeks that test your physical and mental valor.  You must pass the physical fitness test at the end of training, which is comprised of four mandatory events:

        a. Maximum number of sit-ups in one minute
        b. Timed 300-meter sprint
        c. Maximum number of push-ups (untimed)
        d. Timed 1.5 mile run

You will have three opportunities to achieve a passing score in the test.  One immediately after Phase II testing, the second a minimum of 60 days after the initial test, and the final opportunity one year after the initial test.  If you do not pass any, you will no longer be able to be considered for a FBI agent position. 

In order to pass the Physical Fitness Test, Special Agent applicants must achieve a minimum cumulative score of twelve points with at least one point in each of the four events.

FBI Special Agent Physical Fitness Scoring Scales:

A. Scoring Scale for One-Minute Sit-Ups
Score     Female Range     Male Range
-2            29 and below      31 and below
0             30-34                    32-37
1             35-36                    38
2             37-40                    39-42
3             41-42                    43-44
4             43-46                    45-47
5             47-48                    48-49
6             49-50                   50-51
7             51-52                   52-53
8             53-54                   55
9             55-56                   56-57
10     57 and over              58 and over

b. Scoring Scale for Timed 300-Meter Sprint (in seconds)
Score     Female Range     Male Range
-2            67.5 and over        55.1 and over
0             67.4-65.0                55.0-52.5
1             64.9-62.5                52.4-51.1
2             62.4-60.0                51.0-49.5
3             59.9-57.5               49.4-48.0
4             57.4-56.0               47.9-46.1
5             55.9-54.0              46.0-45.0
6             53.9-53.0              44.9-44.0
7             52.9-52.0              43.9-43.0
8             51.9-51.0              42.9-42.0
9             50.9-50.0              41.9-41.0
10          49.9 and below    40.9 and below

c. Scoring Scale for Push-Ups (untimed)
Score     Female Range     Male Range
-2            4 and below          19 and below
0              5-13                       20-29
1             14-18                      30-32
2             19-21                      33-39
3             22-26                      40-43
4             27-29                      44-49
5             30-32                      50-53
6             33-35                      54-56
7             36-38                      57-60
8             39-41                      61-64
9             42-44                      65-70
10          45 and over            71 and over

d. Scoring Scale for 1.5 Mile Run (in minutes:seconds)
Score     Female Range     Male Range
-2          15:00 and over    13:30 and over
0           14:59-14:00         13:29-12:25
1          13:59-13:35          12:24-12:15
2          13:34-13:00          12:14-11:35
3          12:59-12:30          11:34-11:10
4          12:29-11:57          11:09-10:35
5          11:56-11:35          10:34-10:15
6          11:34-11:15          10:14-9:55
7          11:14-11:06           9:54-9:35
8          11:05-10:45           9:34-9:20
9          10:44-10:35           9:19-9:00
10        10:34 and below   8:59 and below

MEDICAL HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Vision Requirements:
a.    Uncorrected vision: Candidates for FBI agent should have uncorrected visual acuity that is not worse then 20/200 (Snellen) in each eye, with correction to 20/20 in one eye and at least 20/40 in the other eye.
 
b.    Soft Contact Lenses: Individuals unable to meet the 20/200 minimum may still be considered if they provide medical documentation of the use of soft contact lenses for at least one year without adverse effects. 

c.    Laser Eye Surgery: If an applicant has had laser eye corrective surgery, a six-month waiting period is required to prior to the beginning of the New Agents' Training.  The applicant must also provide evidence of complete healing by an ophthalmology clinical evaluation. 

d.    Color Vision: The policy for color vision allows continuation of applicant processing if those who fail initial color vision screening are able to successfully complete the Farnsworth D-15 color vision test. 

Hearing Requirements: Agent applicants must take an audiometer test and meet specified hearing standards.  If you exceed ANY of the following criteria you will be excluded from consideration:

a.    Average hearing loss of 25 decibels (ANSI) at 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hertz
b.    Single reading of 35 decibels at 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hertz
c.    Single reading of 35 decibels at 500 Hertz
d.    Single reading of 45 decibels at 4000 Hertz

Medical Review: An applicant's medical history will be reviewed thoroughly and a determination will be made whether any medical issue (or condition) could potentially affect the applicant's ability to perform the basic functions of the Special Agent position. This medical review ensures that each candidate's situation is reviewed on an individual basis. Issues/conditions that surface during the Medical Reviews may delay the final processing for employment. Although an applicant's doctor provides information about the applicant's medical condition, it is the FBI's Chief Medical Officer who decides if the applicant is physically able to perform the duties of the job. This decision is based on the review of the applicant's doctor's findings and the FBI's knowledge of the requirements of the job. The FBI is committed to treating all applicants fairly and equitably in all aspects of our hiring/selection process.