Since its founding in 1908 as the Bureau of Investigation, the FBI has evolved into one of the most respected and sophisticated law enforcement agencies in the world. As the primary investigative arm of the federal government, the FBI is responsible for enforcing over 260 federal statutes and for conducting sensitive national security investigations.

Requirements
Special Agent applicants are required to take the written examination administered at the nearest FBI field office by appointment. Those applicants who successfully pass the exam will be afforded an interview based upon their overall qualifications and the needs of the Bureau. Special Agent candidates must:

• Be a United States citizen
• Be completely available for assignment anywhere in the Bureau's jurisdiction
• Have reached his/her 23rd, but not his/her 37th birthday
• Have uncorrected vision not worse than 20/200 (Snellen) and corrected 20/20 in one eye and no greater than 20/40 in the other eye. All applicants must pass a color vision test
• Meet the following hearing standards by audiometer test. No applicant will be considered who exceeds the following : (a) average hearing loss of 25 decibels (ANSI) at 1000, 2000, or 3000 Hertz; (b) single reading of 35 decibels at 1000, 2000, or 3000 Hertz; (c) single reading of 45 decibels at 4000 Hertz.
  Possess a valid driver's license.
• Be in excellent physical condition with no defects which would interfere in firearm use, raids, or defensive tactics.

Entrance programs under which Special Agents qualify are:

• LAW - To qualify under the Law Program, you must have a JD degree from a resident law school.
  
• ACCOUNTING - Any applicant who wishes to be considered for the Accounting Program may qualify when he/she either:
  A) Has been certified as a CPA; OR
  B) Possesses a four year business degree with a major in accounting, or related business degree that included or was supplemented by 24 hours of accounting courses and an additional six semester hours of business law or other elective business courses, and two years of progressively responsible accounting work in a professional accounting firm or comparable public setting, such as a state comptroller or the General Accounting Office, the last which would be in a management, team leader or other type of position which would provide experiences in a variety of areas (banking, insurance, problem solving, etc.) and allow for exposure and experiences dealing with higher level organizational entities, i.e., partners and directors.
• COMPUTER SCIENCE - To qualify under the Computer Science Program, you must have a BS degree in Computer Science or a related discipline; or any BS or BA degree plus certification as a Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) or a Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert (CCIE).
  
• LANGUAGE - four-year college degree plus fluency in foreign language (s) for which the Bureau has a current need.
  
• DIVERSIFIED - four-year college degree plus three years' full-time work experience. Those individuals possessing an advanced degree need only have two years' work experience.
  

Professional Support Positions

Requirements

All applicants must be U.S. Citizens. The application process includes testing for most positions, an interview, background investigation, physical examination for certain positions, and a drug screening test. A polygraph examination is required. Some positions require a four-year degree in the desired position. A high-school diploma or equivalent is required.

The FBI offers challenging and rewarding opportunities with a variety of career paths that lead to management positions. As a member of the FBI Professional Support Staff, the work you do will have a daily impact on the nation's security. Once you become an FBI employee, you may be assigned to FBI Headquarters, or one of 56 field offices in the United States, based on your skills and the needs of the FBI. You may apply for training in fields other than those in which you enter work after you establish a satisfactory work record with the FBI. Promotional opportunities are consistent with your overall qualifications and proficiency. The FBI is firmly committed to affirmative action policies for minorities, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities.

Some of the Professional Support Positions that may be available in the FBI are:

Electronics Engineer Mechanical Engineer Attorney Contract Specialist Chemist Personnel Security Specialist Intelligence Research Specialist Computer Specialist Management Analyst Language Specialist Police Officer Security Warder Fingerprint Examiner

Evidence Technician Computer Operator Telecommunications Equipment Operator Accounting Technician Laborer Utility Systems Repairer-Operator Maintenance Mechanic Carpenter Automotive Mechanic Clerk Secretary Office Automation Clerk Tour Leader Intelligence Assistant