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Would it be better to go into state level law enforcement before federal ?
I am not sure if to start with the California DOJ before trying to apply to the FBI for a smoother career transition. I am already doing private security but it feels like a big jump from that to FBI
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Luis there are several challenging steps involved in becoming an FBI agent, here are the steps you will need to take to start the process:
🎓 EDUCATION
A bachelor's degree is required for all aspiring FBI agents. Although one in law enforcement or criminal justice is not required, many agents do have a background in these fields. However, agents come from all backgrounds, including engineering, computer science and teaching. At times, applicants with degrees in these alternative fields are even sought after for their knowledge in areas that aren't typically associated with law enforcement.
🧭 WORK EXPERIENCE
Another requirement you must meet before applying to become an FBI agent is to have two years of professional work experience. The details of what this experience should look like are vague, I understood it to mean full-time work at a high level in your area of expertise. This could be experience related to your degree or to work in a position where you can demonstrate the core competencies FBI agents need.
📝 APPLICATION
If you feel you meet the required education and work experience, you can apply to the FBI website. This will include a resume, which should follow the federal resume template. Applicants with current or former federal work experience should submit the SF-50 with their application, and current or prior members of the armed forces should include the DD-214 or submit a Statement of Service Letter with your application.
🧩 PHASE I TEST
If your application passes the preliminary screening, you will be invited to take Phase I, a three-hour computerized exam. This exam assesses everything about the candidate and their abilities. It consists of five smaller assessments that measure your critical thinking and reasoning skills. These five assessments are logic-based reasoning, figural reasoning, personality assessment, preferences and interests and situational judgment.
ℹ️ INTERVIEW
Those who pass Phase I are called in for an in-person interview. Applicants will be asked to expand on what they included in their applications as well as their past experiences. This is also a great opportunity to ask any questions you may have related to the job.
🗣️ PHASE II TEST
Those who have completed Phase I, passed the interview and have been deemed competitive are invited to participate in Phase II. This consists of two parts—a writing assessment and a more structured interview. The writing assessment must be passed first before the interview can take place. The interview lasts for an hour and is administered by three special agents who measure your ability for certain criteria based on the answers you give to questions.
💪 PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST
A physical fitness test is administered to those who pass Phase II of the application process. You are tested in five different events:
• Sit-ups: maximum number in one minute
• Timed 300-meter sprint
• Pushups: as many you can do consecutively
• 1.5-mile run
• Pull-ups: as many you can do consecutively
• Vision must be no worse than 20/40
• Hearing loss may not exceed 25 decibels.
🔙 BACKGROUND CHECK
Candidates who are offered a position conditionally and accept within five days are subjected to an FBI background check and polygraph test. The background check can consist of credit checks, arrest records, previous polygraph exams and interviews with past employers.
🔎 FBI ACADEMY
New agents participate in a 21-week training program that consists of 800 hours in four major areas:
• ACADEMICS
Potential agents study law, behavioral science, ethics, report writing, interviewing, investigative and intelligence techniques, forensic science and interrogation. They also learn how to handle counter-terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, counterintelligence and criminal and cyber investigations.
• CASE EXERCISES
These exercises allow the trainees to experience real-life situations that they may have to handle. They take place in the fake town of Hogan's Alley where actors pretend to be criminals and terrorists. Trainees get the opportunity to arrest and interrogate suspects and present evidence in court.
• FIREARMS TRAINING
Since FBI agents have the very real potential to experience deadly force encounters, all agents receive training with a pistol, a shotgun and a carbine. Marksmanship, safety, orientation, handling skills and live-fire training are all critical components of this intense training. This part of the academy consists of 28 sessions, 110 hours of instruction and 5,000 rounds of ammunition.
•OPERATIONAL SKILLS
The skills you will learn in the academy consist of defensive tactics, surveillance, tactical driving and physical fitness. Defensive tactics include hands-on training that focuses on handcuffing, searching subjects, disarming, boxing, grappling, control holds and weapon retention.
🎓 EDUCATION
A bachelor's degree is required for all aspiring FBI agents. Although one in law enforcement or criminal justice is not required, many agents do have a background in these fields. However, agents come from all backgrounds, including engineering, computer science and teaching. At times, applicants with degrees in these alternative fields are even sought after for their knowledge in areas that aren't typically associated with law enforcement.
🧭 WORK EXPERIENCE
Another requirement you must meet before applying to become an FBI agent is to have two years of professional work experience. The details of what this experience should look like are vague, I understood it to mean full-time work at a high level in your area of expertise. This could be experience related to your degree or to work in a position where you can demonstrate the core competencies FBI agents need.
📝 APPLICATION
If you feel you meet the required education and work experience, you can apply to the FBI website. This will include a resume, which should follow the federal resume template. Applicants with current or former federal work experience should submit the SF-50 with their application, and current or prior members of the armed forces should include the DD-214 or submit a Statement of Service Letter with your application.
🧩 PHASE I TEST
If your application passes the preliminary screening, you will be invited to take Phase I, a three-hour computerized exam. This exam assesses everything about the candidate and their abilities. It consists of five smaller assessments that measure your critical thinking and reasoning skills. These five assessments are logic-based reasoning, figural reasoning, personality assessment, preferences and interests and situational judgment.
ℹ️ INTERVIEW
Those who pass Phase I are called in for an in-person interview. Applicants will be asked to expand on what they included in their applications as well as their past experiences. This is also a great opportunity to ask any questions you may have related to the job.
🗣️ PHASE II TEST
Those who have completed Phase I, passed the interview and have been deemed competitive are invited to participate in Phase II. This consists of two parts—a writing assessment and a more structured interview. The writing assessment must be passed first before the interview can take place. The interview lasts for an hour and is administered by three special agents who measure your ability for certain criteria based on the answers you give to questions.
💪 PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST
A physical fitness test is administered to those who pass Phase II of the application process. You are tested in five different events:
• Sit-ups: maximum number in one minute
• Timed 300-meter sprint
• Pushups: as many you can do consecutively
• 1.5-mile run
• Pull-ups: as many you can do consecutively
• Vision must be no worse than 20/40
• Hearing loss may not exceed 25 decibels.
🔙 BACKGROUND CHECK
Candidates who are offered a position conditionally and accept within five days are subjected to an FBI background check and polygraph test. The background check can consist of credit checks, arrest records, previous polygraph exams and interviews with past employers.
🔎 FBI ACADEMY
New agents participate in a 21-week training program that consists of 800 hours in four major areas:
• ACADEMICS
Potential agents study law, behavioral science, ethics, report writing, interviewing, investigative and intelligence techniques, forensic science and interrogation. They also learn how to handle counter-terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, counterintelligence and criminal and cyber investigations.
• CASE EXERCISES
These exercises allow the trainees to experience real-life situations that they may have to handle. They take place in the fake town of Hogan's Alley where actors pretend to be criminals and terrorists. Trainees get the opportunity to arrest and interrogate suspects and present evidence in court.
• FIREARMS TRAINING
Since FBI agents have the very real potential to experience deadly force encounters, all agents receive training with a pistol, a shotgun and a carbine. Marksmanship, safety, orientation, handling skills and live-fire training are all critical components of this intense training. This part of the academy consists of 28 sessions, 110 hours of instruction and 5,000 rounds of ammunition.
•OPERATIONAL SKILLS
The skills you will learn in the academy consist of defensive tactics, surveillance, tactical driving and physical fitness. Defensive tactics include hands-on training that focuses on handcuffing, searching subjects, disarming, boxing, grappling, control holds and weapon retention.