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This question is about special agent.
How long does it take to become a special agent?
It takes over 800 hours, or about 20 weeks, to become a special agent. However, this is just the training at the FBI Academy; overall, it takes at least two to three years of work experience and completing a rigorous application process to become a special agent.
It takes years of time, planning, and hard work to mold yourself into the kind of candidate the FBI is looking to hire, and the hiring process itself can take a year or longer. The FBI hires less than one of five (fewer than 20%) applicants for entry programs or career tracks.
There are two initial testing phases and a physical fitness test at a local FBI facility. The testing consists of several written tests of basic abilities, knowledge, and competency. Additionally, a person will be tested on their written skills and complete an in-depth oral interview. Finally, they will complete a rigorous physical fitness assessment.
After this, a person will be put through a thorough background investigation. This grueling process includes a polygraph exam, credit check, and interviews with neighbors, coworkers, and friends. It also includes interviews with previous employers to learn more about past work history.
If a person makes it past all of the steps, they will be invited to attend a Special Agent class at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA. 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.
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