The FBI building is technically closed to the public. However, with advance planning and help from your Congressperson, you can still tour the FBI Education Center. Originally created as a way to introduce new employees and other government officials to the workings of the FBI, in 2014, it was opened to the public.
All visitors to The FBI Experience must be U.S. citizens or valid green card holders (permanent residents). Operating hours are Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., excluding federal holidays.
Your operational skills training involves a wide range of instructional lessons and practical exercises over the course of 90 hours. These exercises include techniques for safe and tactical driving along with physical tactics for protecting yourself and others, including ways to combat, disarm and restrain suspects.
All special agents begin their career at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, for 20 weeks of intensive training at one of the world's finest law enforcement training facilities. During their time there, trainees live on campus and participate in a variety of training activities.
The FBI accepts fewer than 20% of applicants, making jobs within the bureau highly competitive. Applicants typically begin their candidacy through one of the FBI's various entry programs, all of which are tailored to specific FBI career tracks.
The 21-week training program is mentally and physically tough. The academic requirements are stringent, and failure to pass tests and proficiencies will render a person out of a job.
You must be at least 23 years old at the time of your appointment. You must also be younger than 37, unless you qualify for an age waiver available to veterans. See our qualification requirements webpage for more information on what it takes to become a special agent.
Course Details
The cost of training is paid for by the Federal Bureau of Investigations. The approximate cost to train an applicant is $50,000. Applicants must sign an agreement stating that they intend to stay in law enforcement for at least three years after completion of their training.
For starters, new special agents are paid on the GL schedule for federal law enforcement officers, which means they enter at pay level GL-10 — or $52,440 per year as of 2021 — during their academy training at Quantico. Upon completion of training, FBI agent salary levels are dictated by field office assignment.
ADVICE FOR YOUR CIVILIAN CAREER
While organizations like the FBI have stricter regulations on physical appearance in regards to remaining clean and professional, they don't specifically ban tattoos for employees. But like the military, the general what, where, and how big questions apply.
Unlike the situation for most of the world, at the FBI training academy in Quantico, cell phones and social media are strictly limited.
For many applicants, the FBI special agent physical fitness test (PFT) is, without a doubt, the most challenging part of the process. Our PFT doesn't just test physical fitness. It tests qualities like self-discipline, self-motivation, and the ability to plan and adjust to challenges.
Visiting FBI Headquarters/Tours
Open to the public, visits may be requested up to five months in advance of, but no later than four weeks prior to the desired visit date. Learn more.
Salary and Compensation: New Special Agents, called New Agent Trainees or NATs, are paid on the GL schedule for Federal Law Enforcement Officers (LEO), beginning as a GL-10, step 1 - 10, while in training at Quantico.
Expect to stay at the facility for the entire duration of the academy with regular breaks on weekends and federal holidays.
National Academy Candidates
Leaders and managers of state, local, county, tribal, military, federal, and international law enforcement agencies attend the FBI National Academy. Participation is by invitation-only through a nomination process.
For the ONE program and some field trips, wear business attire. For night and weekend dress, wear casual attire (no tank tops or flip flops are allowed on Academy grounds). During work hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., wear uniforms provided by the Academy.
The FBI employs approximately 35,000 people, including special agents and support professionals such as intelligence analysts, language specialists, scientists, and information technology specialists. Is the FBI a type of national police force?
What is the age requirement for applying? FBI special agents have a mandatory retirement age of 57. In order to achieve the required 20 years of service for retirement, special agents must enter on duty no later than the day before their 37th birthday.
The average age of an active FBI agent is 43, Zippia says. At any age, you have to meet all the FBI's other requirements, from physical fitness to passing a background check.
His name was Basil Kingsley Beck from Grand Rapids and he was the all-time youngest person to be featured on the FBI's “Ten Most Wanted” list. Basil was born in Grand Rapids on March 1, 1933 and since he was eleven years old (!) he had been in several brutal juvenile reformatories and state prisons.
You must pass the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) to ensure you are able to safely and successfully complete training at the FBI Academy and effectively respond to situations on the job.
New agent trainees are expected to maintain the FBI's conservative look and wear business apparel. Men wear suits and ties, and women wear dresses or suits.
In the FBI, agents hold law enforcement positions and investigate domestic crimes. In the CIA, agents focus on information and intelligence overseas that is vital to policy in the United States.