FBI Special Agent Hiring Process

FBI's Special Agent Selection System

The FBI is arguably the most respected law enforcement agency in the world and you shouldn’t be surprised that the FBI hiring process is very challenging. There are 10 steps to the Special Agent Selection System.

While the information presented on this page is taken from the official FBI Careers web site, we have no affiliation with the FBI.

STEP 1: FBI Application and Initial Screening

Start your FBI hiring process by searching USAJOBS.gov for the term FBI Special Agent and read the posted job requirements and application instructions. Also, study every page and guide provided on the web site FBIJobs.gov. Plan on submitting your transcripts as well as any military discharge documents (DD-214). Choose whichever Processing Field Office (PFO) is most convenient for you to take the required exams. Find a list of all PFO’s here.

Step 2: FBI Phase I Test

Once invited, you will have 21 days to schedule and complete your Phase I Test. The Phase I test is a computerized test within a proctored environment. This is a three-hour exam consisting of five assessments: Logic Based Reasoning, Figural Reasoning, Personality Assessment, Preferences and Interests, and Situational Judgment. You will receive a notification if you passed within one hour after completing the test. We recommend Sgt. George Godoy’s FBI Special Agent Test Prep course for in-depth preparation and practice covering these five assessment categories.

Step 3: FBI Meet and Greet Session

The FBI Meet and Greet session is typically conducted by one or more evaluators at your Processing Field Office (PFO). It is an important in-person interview where candidates need to put their best foot forward. This session includes a validation of the information you submitted with your application. This is also a good opportunity for candidates to clarify what the remainder of the FBI hiring process is. The FBI Meet and Greet is an evaluation of your competitiveness for Phase II.

Step 4: FBI Physical Fitness Test

After the Meet & Greet, you will need to pass the FBI Physical Fitness Test (PFT) with a minimum score of nine points, with at least one point in three of the events and no less than a zero in any one event. A negative score in any of the four events is considered a failure. Training doesn’t stop there. You will be required to take the PFT again and achieve a minimum score within 120 days before you report to the Basic Field Training Course (BFTC).

Step 5: FBI Phase II Test

Phase II of the FBI hiring process consists of a writing assessment and the FBI Structured Interview conducted by a panel of three special agents. The FBI writing assessment exam is two and a half hours long and tests your ability to analyze data and compose two well-written, comprehensive reports based upon data presented to you. The FBI Structure Interview is one hour long and is administered by a panel of three special agents. It follows the standard performance-based interview format for government interviews. Sgt. George Godoy’s FBI Special Agent Test Prep course includes training for both Report Writing and Mastering the Structured Interview.

Step 6: Conditional Appointment Offer

Once you successfully complete and pass the Phase II Test and the PFT, you will be issued a Conditional Appointment Offer (CAO). Hiring is contingent upon your successful completion of the remaining SASS components, including the polygraph examination test, medical evaluation, and background investigation. Candidates will receive their CAO shortly after passing the Phase II Writing Assessment and Interview.

Step 7: Background Investigation

Once you receive a CAO, you will need to complete a background investigation to obtain a Top-Secret SCI Clearance. The background investigation includes a Personnel Security Interview (PSI), polygraph examination, drug test, fingerprinting, and medical examination. It also includes credit and arrest checks, interviews with associates and references, and verification of educational achievements. The average background investigation takes approximately six months, but can take up to 18 months or more depending on where an applicant has lived, worked and traveled.

Step 8: Pre-Quantico Physical Fitness Test

You must demonstrate physical readiness to perform law enforcement duties by successfully completing the PFT, which entails scoring a minimum of nine total points with at least one point earned in each event. In order to qualify for the BFTC, you must complete another PFT within 120 days before your scheduled arrival.

Step 9: FBI Basic Field Training Course

Each BFTC has a limited number of spots and is based on the needs of the FBI. Your BFTC may be scheduled for three to six months out. BFTC prepares you with the foundational knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the job of special agent upon graduation. The curriculum includes lessons in a variety of areas, such as firearms, defensive tactics, interview and interrogation, and human intelligence. The BFTC also consists of multiple practical exercises that center around a simulated investigation in which you will demonstrate skills you acquired throughout the program. You must also demonstrate physical readiness to perform duties so you must complete at least one PFT, which entails scoring a minimum of 12 total points with at least one point earned in each event during BFTC. If you are unable to pass at least one PFT, you will be dismissed. BFTC lasts 16 weeks (including orientation) and you are typically notified two to four weeks in advance of their class date. You are allowed to request a different BFTC only once, with sufficient cause, after an initial BFTC date is provided.

Step 10: FBI Career Placement

Upon successful completion of BFTC, you will officially join the FBI as a special agent. You will be assigned a location at one of the field offices located across the country. You will generally not be assigned to the same location that your application was processed out of.

What is the Best FBI Special Agent Test Prep Course?