Q&A for How to Become an FBI Agent

Absolutely. Those would be good majors to pursue if your plan is to become an FBI agent.

Yes, gender doesn't matter! As long as you have or will meet the requirements to becoming an FBI agent, you can apply.

After you file your application it can take anywhere from 6 months to several years.

Joining the FBI agency requires an applicant to be a U.S. citizen and to live in the U.S. or its territories for at least three to five years.

If you are in the law enforcement, it should be easier to become an agent, as long as you have met the requirements in the application. Call up and ask for advice on what pathway would be best for you to pursue.

Diversified is like the opposite of specialized skills, meaning you're able to do a variety of skilled tasks in various areas of interest or expertise. The FBI wants well-rounded applicants, with unspecified degrees or diverse backgrounds that reflect the ability to pick things up and run with them, using initiative and lateral thinking. Think a sport plus a degree or two plus some volunteering experience plus social media skills plus trekking across a mountain pass for one summer, etc. These aren't actual exact requirements but are given as an example of looking well-rounded -- in other words, don't just do a degree, so plenty of other real life things too!

If they consider it necessary, they may use a lie detector test. However, it's not commonly cited as a requirement, so it might only be needed for training purposes, such as learning how to cheat one if you're in the field.

There isn't one particular major but helpful education requirements are; hard sciences like biology, chemistry, or physics, accounting, finance experience, finance degree, CPA, or 2 years of work related experience, engineering, computer science experience, psychology, information systems, international studies, law and/or military intelligence. That should give you plenty of options to choose from.

As long as you meet the goal of completing four years of college with the required major and possess a bachelor's degree, the college won't matter (as long as it wasn't a degree mill). However, the competition is fierce, so do really well at your studies, wherever you may do your degree.

It is good to earn your diploma, but if you join the FBI agency, you must earn a Bachelor's degree.

Yes, but you also have to be a U.S. citizen to apply with the FBI. If you live in the U.S. but are not a citizen, you're not eligible to become an FBI agent.

As long as that person is focused on the task and uses their own non-work time to pray (such as breaks and lunchtime), then they can do as they wish faith-wise.

They inspect every part of your life (social media, criminal records, etc.). They might check current phone calls, so be sweet, polite and honest in all dealings.

Criminology, psychology and/or sociology are your best bets - but the FBI has members with many different degrees.

You csn have either or neither, but you do have to reach the requirements.

FBI stands for Federal Bureau of Investigation. Also, their motto is Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity.

No, there is no height requirement for joining the FBI, so long as you're able to meet their fitness and medical requirements.

Your family and closest friends can know if you're an FBI agent. Beyond that will probably depend on what you're doing by way of work and what you are told when there.

No, you must not have a default on federally funded student loans. Pay what is needed before making an application but check whether the fact of having been in default will still register against you.

Unfortunately you'll have to wait until you're 23 to apply. But there's plenty you can do to add to your qualifications! Pursue a relevant education, study a foreign language, and keep your record clean!

You cannot be over 36 years old, unless you are a 1811 Federal Law Enforcement officer or a reference-eligible veteran requesting for a waiver. Requirements involve age, they accept people aged only at and between 23 to 36 years old.

As one of the requirements of becoming an FBI agent, people cannot have a history involved with drug use or any probation of a felony, based on the background of any individual.

Your military experience will strengthen your application in the eyes of the FBI. However, just being in the military will not by itself guarantee you a position with the FBI.

That should not be a problem, as long as you have American citizenship and have lived in the United States.

In most instances, yes, you'll be able to try again. In your rejection letter, it will be explained to you whether and how you'll be able to apply again to be an FBI agent. You may have to wait a certain amount of time before you can reapply.

Yes, there is no religious discrimination in the FBI's hiring process. However, Muslim applicants may find that they are viewed with more suspicion than non-Muslim applicants, although this is certainly not the case for all Muslims who have applied to be FBI agents.

Probably not, as long as the FBI agents conducting your background check don't find that your father has negatively influenced you.

Yes you will because that's how they differentiate between good and bad candidates for agents.

No, you can apply to become an FBI agent without having served in the military.

Not necessarily, though some particular jobs may require it.