ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW TO APPLY

ALL YOU NEED TO

KNOW TO APPLY

The FBI is an equal opportunity employer.

Last revised May 2022.

Special Agent Selection System

The mission of the Federal Bureau of Investigation

(FBI) is to protect the American people and uphold

the Constitution of the United States.

The priorities of the FBI are to:

• Protect the United States from terrorist attacks.

• Protect the United States against foreign intelligence

operations and espionage.

• Protect the United States against cyberattacks and

high-tech crimes.

• Combat public corruption at all levels.

• Protect civil rights.

• Combat transnational/national criminal organizations

and enterprises.

• Combat major white-collar crime.

• Combat signicant violent crime.

The core values of the FBI are:

• Rigorous obedience to the Constitution of the United States.

• Respect for the dignity of all those we protect.

• Compassion.

• Fairness.

• Uncompromising personal and institutional integrity.

• Accountability by accepting responsibility for our actions and

decisions, and the consequences of our actions and decisions.

• Leadership, both personal and professional.

• Diversity.

MISSION.

PRIORITIES.

VALUES.

GENERAL INFORMATION

APPLICATION PROCESS

PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST (PFT)

INSIDE THE

GUIDE

Overview ............................................................................. 5

Special Agent Selection System ......................................... 6

FBI Employment Requirements ........................................ 12

Application and Required Documents .............................. 15

Minimum Qualications ................................................... 16

Core Competencies Evaluation ........................................ 18

Preparing for Your Ocial PFT ......................................... 20

Protocol and Scoring Guide .............................................. 21

Tactical Recruitment Program .......................................... 26

Medical Exceptions .......................................................... 27

Training and Preparation .................................................. 28

GENERAL

INFORMATION

All You Need to Know to Apply

GENERAL INFORMATION

OVERVIEW

At the FBI, our mission is constantly evolving and expanding to respond to the nation’s

biggest challenges imposed by rapid advances in technology, terrorism, and intelligence

threats. This means our special agents must share their expertise in a variety of specialty

areas in order to help us stay ahead of the next threat.

Our special agents have a range of backgrounds,

education, and skillsets that collectively allows us to

stay ahead of threats. Special agents are individuals

with leadership abilities who are motivated to take

on new challenges and set moral standards for their

colleagues and teams.

While the demands vary, each role must be

performed competently and reliably. Special agents

share a drive to help keep our nation safe and take

pride in making a difference in the communities they

serve.

FBI special agents are responsible for conducting

sensitive national security investigations and

enforcing more than 300 federal statutes. As a

special agent, you may work on cases involving

terrorism, counterintelligence, cybercrime, organized

crime, white-collar crime, public corruption, civil

rights violations, nancial crime, bribery, bank

robbery, extortion, kidnapping, air piracy, interstate

criminal activity, and other violations of federal

statutes.

FBI special agents must:

• Adhere to standards of conduct and maintain

honesty and integrity.

• Undergo a background investigation, credit checks

and a polygraph test in order to obtain a Top

Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)

Clearance.

• Achieve and maintain required tness levels.

• Pass a medical exam, which includes but is not

limited to, meeting visual and hearing standards.

• Complete and graduate from the 16-week Basic

Field Training Course (BFTC) at the FBI Academy in

Quantico, VA.

• Be prepared for worldwide assignments throughout

your career which may require temporary or long-

term relocation.

• Work a schedule that may include irregular hours

nights, weekends, 24/7 on-call availability, and a

minimum 50 hours per week.

• Carry a rearm and be willing to use deadly force,

if necessary.

• Be willing and able to participate in arrests,

execution of search warrants and other dangerous

assignments.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

SPECIAL AGENT

SELECTION SYSTEM

The Special Agent Selection System (SASS) is a multi-step process designed to hire

individuals who can help to make a difference in this job. The SASS typically takes one

year to complete, often longer. An explanation of the SASS steps can be found on the next

few pages.

The SASS Process

STEP 1

Application & Screening

STEP 6

Conditional Appointment

Offer (CAO)

STEP 2

Phase I Test

STEP 7

Background Investigation (BI)

STEP 3

Meet & Greet Session /

Review Process

STEP 8

Physical Fitness Test

STEP 4

Physical Fitness Test (PFT)

STEP 9

Basic Field Training Course

(BFTC)

STEP 5

Phase II Test

STEP 10

Career Placement

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Step 4: Physical Fitness Test

After the Meet & Greet, you will need to pass the

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 BFTC.

Step 5: Phase II Test

Phase II consists of a writing assessment and a

structured interview conducted by a panel of three

special agents. (See Testing Overview Guide for

more information.)

Step 2: Phase I Test

The Phase I test is a computerized test within

a proctored environment. This is a three-hour

exam consisting of ve assessments: Logic-

Based Reasoning, Figural Reasoning, Personality

Assessment, Preferences and Interests, and

Situational Judgment.

Step 1: Application and Screening

You must attach all necessary forms to your

application. These include your ocial or unocial

transcripts, a DD-214 for former members of the

armed forces or your military enlistment contract for

current members of the armed forces. Applications

are screened for eligibility and suitability.

If you currently reside abroad, you will have to travel to

the United States for all testing at your own expense.

You may choose whichever Processing Field Oce is

most convenient. A list of all 56 eld Oces is on the

FBI website at FBI.gov/contact-us/eld-oces.

Timeframe: The screening process is

dependent upon the submission of all

application materials, overall application

volume, and current needs of the FBI.

Follow the guidelines in the special agent

job posting and on FBIJobs.gov to expedite

your application processing.

Timeframe: Once invited, you will have 21

days to schedule and complete your Phase

I Test. You will receive a notication if you

passed within one hour after completing

the test.

Timeframe: The average timeframe for a

candidate to move from Phase I to Phase II

is 16 weeks.

Timeframe: You will receive your

cumulative Phase II results within two

weeks of completing both portions of the

test.

Step 3: Meet and Greet Session /

Review Process

The Meet and Greet session is typically conducted

by your Processing Field Oce (PFO). During this

session, one or more evaluators will conduct an

in-person review of your application and validate the

information you submitted. Your information will

then be evaluated to assess your competitiveness

for Phase II.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

with associates and references, and verication of

educational achievements.

Step 8: Physical Fitness Test

You must demonstrate physical readiness to perform

law enforcement duties by successfully completing

the PFT, which entails scoring a minimum of 12 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: 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 rearms, 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

during BFTC. If you are unable to pass at least one PFT,

you will be dismissed.

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.

Timeframe: Candidates will receive their

CAO shortly after passing the Phase II

Writing Assessment and Interview.

Timeframe: 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 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, ngerprinting, and medical examination.

It also includes credit and arrest checks, interviews

IMPORTANT

You must not post information about the application process on social

media, message boards, chat rooms, blogs, internet forums, or any

other public forum. Use discretion when discussing the process with

family and friends. You must not solicit help, tips, advice, or assistance

of ANY kind on social media, message boards, blogs, internet forums, or

from current or former FBI employees.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Step 10: Career Placement

Upon successful completion of BFTC, you will

ocially join the FBI as a special agent. You will be

assigned a location at one of the 56 eld oces

located across the country upon completion of the

BFTC. You will generally not be assigned to the same

location that your application was processed out of.

Timeframe: BFTC lasts 16 weeks

(including orientation) and you are typically

notied two to four weeks in advance

of their class date. You are allowed to

request a different BFTC only once, with

sucient cause, after an initial BFTC date

is provided.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Physical Requirements

Special agents are often placed in situations that

challenge their physical endurance. Strength,

exibility, and endurance are necessary for personal

safety in an arrest situation, as well as to help ensure

the safety of fellow Agents, other law enforcement

ocers and civilians. To become a special agent,

you must possess the necessary tness levels to

complete the duties assigned to you.

Once you’ve passed the ocial PFT, you will be

considered ready to complete the physical training

and defensive tactics portion of training at the FBI

Academy. You will also be prepared to effectively

respond to life-threatening situations on the job.

You must be able to pass several physical tests to be

medically cleared to attend the FBI Academy. These

include:

• Vision test

• Hearing test

• Medical/health review

Note: Applicants for the Tactical Recruitment Program (TRP) have

additional requirements. (Visit the TRP section.)

Vision Requirements

• Your distant visual acuity, corrected or

uncorrected, must meet FBI standards, which are

20/20 in one eye and no worse than 20/40 in the

other eye.

• If you have distant visual acuity greater than

or equal to 20/100, you must provide medical

documentation of successful soft contact lens

use for at least one year without signicant

problems or adverse effects.

• Applicants with recent refractive surgery involving

the creation of a corneal ap must wait six months

following surgery and complete an ophthalmology

evaluation to document complete healing prior to

applying for employment.

• If you are Color-Vision decient, you must

successfully complete a Farnsworth D-15 color

vision test administered at the eld oce to be

considered.

Hearing Requirements

Hearing is considered a critical and essential job

function for the special agent position. Special

agents must be able to detect, localize and locate

the source of sounds that may indicate danger

or risk while entering locations tactically, while

pursuing, confronting and arresting subjects and

while transporting subjects to custody. Additionally,

special agents must be able to hear and understand

the speech of subjects and witnesses during

interviews and interrogations, which are sometimes

conducted in noisy, hectic situations, as well as

communicate with team members during raids,

arrests and searches when accurate communication

without repetition is necessary. If you have an

average hearing loss greater than 25 decibels (ANSI

standards) at 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000 Hertz, then

you should have no single value at 35 decibels.

Additionally, no single reading may exceed 35

decibels at 500 Hertz or 45 decibels at 4,000 Hertz.

If you fail the initial pure-tone audiometry screening,

you will be asked to complete additional audiometry

testing (at your own expense and conducted by an

audiologist of your choosing) to more accurately

assess the candidate’s hearing ability. If you fail

testing with your audiologist, using the above

standards, you will be offered the FBI Hearing

in Noise Test (HINT). Only the FBI HINT will be

accepted. This test was developed to evaluate one’s

ability to functionally hear human communication

in a noisy environment and is specically designed

to assess the hearing requirements for law

enforcement duties.

The HINT uses short sentences instead of pure

tones to establish a functional level of hearing

using both ears. Passing criteria include the Speech

Reception Threshold (SRT) in quiet (27.0 decibels)

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GENERAL INFORMATION

and Composite SRT in noise (71 decibels) measured

in noise at 75 decibels. If you are an applicant who

wears hearing aids, open eld testing is available.

Immunization/Vaccinations

Candidates must provide documentation showing

the following required immunizations:

• Polio (four childhood doses) and/or a

recent booster

• Meningitis (Menactra, Menveo or Menomune)

within the past ve years

• Tetanus Diphtheria (TD) or Tetanus, Diphtheria

and Pertussis (Tdap) within the past 10 years

• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) (two doses)

• Hepatitis A and B completed by one of the

following means:

• Twinrix (A Hepatitis A and B combination,

three doses)

• Hepatitis A (two doses) and HEPISLAV-B

(two doses)

• Varicella (two doses) or proof of history of having

had chicken pox. This can be completed with a

personal statement that includes the approximate

year of disease or by providing proof of a positive

titer (blood test)

• Inuenza (current season)

The FBI accepts the following documents as proof

of vaccination history:

• CDC 731 “International Certicate of Vaccination

or Prophylaxis” or Yellow Card

• Physician’s or licensed health care provider’s

records

• Proof of positive titer (blood test) will only be

accepted for MMR, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B

and Varicella

• Military records

• Travel health clinic records

• Local or state health department records

• School records

Note: Hepatitis immunizations may take up to six months to

complete if you have not already started the series with the

exception of HEPISLAV-B (newly approved by the FDA), which can

be completed in four weeks.

Reasonable

Accommodations

The FBI provides reasonable accommodations

to qualied individuals with disabilities. If you

believe you have a disability that will require special

arrangements during the hiring process, you may

request a reasonable accommodation at any time by

notifying your Applicant Coordinator.

Every test in the hiring process is evaluated

differently. Therefore, you must submit a reasonable

accommodation request for each test, if needed.

Reasonable accommodations are granted on

a case-by-case basis. Your request will receive

an individualized assessment; requests will be

processed in the order they were received.

According to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as

amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act

of 1990, applicants may demonstrate prociency

on essential job tasks with or without reasonable

accommodations. To ensure that the PFT is

consistent with this legislation, a section is included

on the FD-876 Special Agent Applicant Liability

Waiver form that asks applicants to indicate whether

or not they require reasonable accommodations to

complete the PFT.

All You Need to Know to Apply

GENERAL INFORMATION

Employment Disqualiers

There are also certain employment requirements

that all candidates must meet in order to be eligible

for consideration for employment with the FBI.

Before applying for any FBI position, check to ensure

the FBI Special Agent Employment Disqualiers do

not apply to you. The FBI Special Agent Employment

Disqualiers are:

• Non U.S. citizenship.

• Conviction of a felony, sex crime and/or a

domestic violence misdemeanor.

• Having knowingly or willfully engaged in acts

designed to overthrow the U.S. government.

• Failure to pay court-ordered child support or

alimony payments.

• Currently having a federally funded student

loan in default.

• Failure to le income tax returns.

• Once holding a security clearance that was revoked.

• Previously failed the FBI polygraph examination or

was disqualied for employment with the FBI during

a background investigation.

• Being found in violation of the FBI Employment

Drug Policy.

• Failure to register with the Selective Service

System (for males only, exceptions apply; see

www.sss.gov for more information).

FBI EMPLOYMENT

REQUIREMENTS

Employment Drug Policy

The FBI is rmly committed to a drug-free society

and workplace. Applicants for employment with the

FBI who are currently using illegal drugs, misusing or

abusing legal drugs or other substances at the time

of the application process will be found unsuitable

for employment.

While the FBI does not condone any prior unlawful

drug use by applicants, the FBI realizes some

otherwise qualied applicants may have used illegal

drugs at some point in their past. For a complete list

of disqualifying criteria, please see: FBIJobs.gov/

eligibility.

You will be found unsuitable for employment

and automatically disqualied if you deliberately

misrepresent your drug history in connection with

your application for employment.

Background Investigation

Process

After you receive a conditional FBI offer of

employment, you must complete the necessary

documentation to launch your background

IMPORTANT

You are not eligible for employment

as a special agent with the FBI if you

meet any of the disqualiers listed.

The mission of the FBI is vital to the safety and security of our nation and its citizens.

Often, our work is very sensitive in nature. Therefore, all FBI positions require at least a

Top Secret Clearance; special agents must be able to obtain a Top Secret SCI Clearance.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

investigation. The background investigation

process is very thorough; it can take several months

or more to complete. Once you are cleared, you will

receive your Top Secret SCI Clearance. You must

be approved for an SCI Clearance before beginning

employment with the FBI. The investigation includes:

• A polygraph examination

• Urinalysis test

• Fingerprints

• Credit and records checks

• Extensive interviews with former and current

colleagues, neighbors, friends, etc.

You will be contacted by the FBI eld oce

processing your background investigation to

schedule your interview, urinalysis test and

polygraph examination. The polygraph is used as

an investigative tool to verify the truthfulness of

your responses on the FBI background investigation

forms. In the next phase of the process, the FBI will

perform extensive records checks (credit checks,

police records checks, etc.) and FBI investigators will

interview past and present associates.

Things to Consider

Scheduling

If you are currently employed, please be aware that

you may be scheduled for testing during your regular

working hours (midday/midweek) and sometimes

within a short timeframe.

If you are on active duty with the military, you must

be within 15 months of completing your service

before applying.

You may receive no more than a two-week notice

to report to the Basic Field Training Course (BFTC)

and must successfully complete approximately 20

weeks of employment as a NAT while housed at the

FBI Academy in Quantico, VA.

Assignment and the Transfer

Process

As a new special agent, you are encouraged to relay

your preference of assignment for consideration

during selections; however, assignments are made

based upon career path and FBI stang needs.

While eld oce position vacancies take priority over

all transfer-request decisions, the FBI bases transfers

on special agent oce preferences, seniority, budget

considerations and mission needs. If your top choice

is New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco or San

Juan, Puerto Rico, you will have an excellent chance

of getting that preferred oce assignment. It’s

also worth noting that, on average, a special agent

transfers just twice during a 20-year career.

IMPORTANT

All special agents must sign and adhere to a mobility agreement, which states

that you accept the possibility of a transfer as a condition of employment.

% of Agents

# of Transfers

23.6

25.2

19.6

12.2

8.3

5.4

3.0

1.6

.7 .1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Top ranked Field Oce Choices

Percentage of New Agent Placement, FY2016- FY2019

Typical Number of Transfers

During a 20-year Special Agent Career

55.5

83.9

of SAs Placed in Top 3

Preferred Locations

of SAs Placed in Top 10

Preferred Locations

APPLICATION

PROCESS

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APPLICATION PROCESS

Do:

• Fill out the Education, Work Experience, and Prole

Information sections on the application. Include

ALL prior work experience.

• Attach your resume and ocial or unocial

college transcript(s) in the Attachments section.

• Current or former federal employees should also

attach your SF-50.

• Military veterans applying for Veterans’ Preference

should attach your DD-214 (Member 4 or Service

2 copy), Statement of Service (required if not yet

separated from the military), and VA Letter dated

within one year and/or SF-15 (optional).

Note: When scanning and uploading document(s), make sure that

all pages are readable and facing upright in the same direction.

If you are missing any of the items listed above,

please attach them to your prole as they become

available. Please apply when you have obtained the

required documentation. Your application will not

be processed until you have provided all required

documentation.

APPLICATION AND

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Don’t:

• Attach a cover letter in the Attachments

section. Instead, ll out the Education, Work

Experience and Prole Information sections on

the application.

• Upload any picture les (JPEG, TIFF, PNG, BMP).

All uploaded documents to your application

should be in PDF format.

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APPLICATION PROCESS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The following minimum qualications are required at

the time of application:

• Be a U.S. citizen

• Be between 23 and 36 years of age

• Have a bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S.-

accredited college or university

• Have at least two years of full-time professional

work experience

• Have a valid driver’s license and six months of

driving experience

• Meet the physical requirements

• Must be able to obtain a Top Secret SCI Clearance

Technical Explanations and

Exceptions

Age Requirement

FBI special agents have a mandatory retirement

age of 57.In order to achieve the required 20 years

of service for retirement, you must enter on duty

no later than the day before your 37th birthday.You

must apply for the special agent position prior

to your 36th birthday to allow adequate time to

complete the SASS. The FBI may disqualify you at

any time during the process if it is determined that

you will reach age 37 before appointment.

Potential Exceptions: Applicants with certain prior

federal law enforcement service, applicants who

are current FBI employees or preference eligible

veterans may qualify for an age waiver.

• Nonpreference Eligible Candidates — Applicants

with prior/current service as a federal law

enforcement

ocer (LEO) and other federal positions (must

be supported by an SF-50) do not require an age

waiver as long as they will have amassed 20 years

of service by age 57.

• Current FBI Employees — Special agent

candidates who are current FBI employees must

submit an application prior to their 39th birthday

and be appointed to the FBI Academy no later than

one day preceding their 40th birthday. They must

successfully complete and pass all phases of the

SASS and pass the background investigation to be

considered for an age waiver.

• Preference Eligible Candidates — Applicants who

are members of the Armed Forces (rank 0-3 or

below) and are over the age of 36 at the time of

application may apply no sooner than 15 months

prior to their separation from the military. During

initial processing, the applicant will be required

to submit a Statement of Service from his or her

Armed Services branch, with an expected

discharge/release date and honorable or general

Character of Discharge. Preference eligible

applicants must successfully complete all phases

of the SASS, pass the background investigation

and submit a qualifying DD-214 before requesting

an age waiver. Without a qualifying DD-214, an age

waiver will not be considered.

Please Note: Veterans who retired at the rank of Major, Lieutenant

Commander or higher (0-4 or higher), are not eligible for

preference in appointment unless they are disabled veterans.

Applicants in this category must submit a DD-214 at the time of

application, along with the SF-15 and Veterans Affairs disability

rating letter. This does not apply to reservists who will

not begin drawing military retirement pay until age 60. For more

information visit:

www.fedshirevets.gov/job-seekers/veterans/veterans-preference.

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APPLICATION PROCESS

Education Requirement

For ANY degree from an overseas institution, you

must provide a foreign equivalency certication at

the time of application. No processing will take place

without that documentation.

Potential exceptions: If your bachelor’s degree is not

from a U.S.-accredited college, but your advanced

degree is from a U.S.-accredited college, the FBI will

accept the accreditation of your advanced degree and

no other documentation is required.

Work Experience Requirement

For special agents, professional work experience is

dened as employment in:

• Any occupation that requires a college degree and

may include specialized training.

• Any position requiring a bachelor’s degree that

includes managerial, supervisory or leadership

responsibilities.

Applicants with a master’s and/or advanced

degree(s) require one year of full-time work

experience at the time of application.

Applicants with a bachelor’s degree(s) require two

years of full-time work experience at the time of

application.

Summer jobs, internships, seasonal positions,

temporary employment and/or volunteer work are

generally not considered in the professional work

experience category. In addition to the denition

above, the FBI will determine if an applicant meets

the professional work experience requirement based

on the general requirements needed to perform

special agent duties.

Potential Exceptions:

• Professional athletics, such as a full-time career

participating in Major and Minor League sports

(NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, WNBA, etc.), or International

Competitions (Olympics).

• For preference eligible veterans, part-time work,

internships (paid or unpaid), Peace Corps, and

Army Reserve/National Guard duty count toward

total work experience. Volunteer work may be

considered.

• For all applicants, volunteer work (such as Peace

Corps) that requires full-time participation, paid

full-time graduate work programs, and full-time

fellowships may be considered as professional

work experience. All exceptions will be made on a

case-by-case basis.

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APPLICATION PROCESS

Initiative

Display a willingness to begin or participate in

new projects; anticipate and plan for additional

workloads; show interest and positivity despite

setbacks; and eagerly accept or respond to

problems or subsequent tasks.

Interpersonal Ability

Deal effectively with others; establish and

maintain rapport with management, colleagues

and subordinates; recognize and show sensitivity

to differences in the needs and concerns

of others; and mediate concerns between

individuals and groups, as well as settle disputes.

Organizing and Planning

Establish priorities, timetables and goals/

objectives; structure a plan of action for self

and others; and develop both strategic and

tactical plans.

Problem Solving and

Judgment

Critically evaluate conditions, events and

alternatives; identify problems, causes

and relationships; base decisions or

recommendations on data or sound

reasoning; and formulate objective opinions.

The FBI uses a category rating system and does not evaluate applicants against other

applicants. You will be independently evaluated on the competencies listed below. Please

ensure that these competencies are evident in your application and provide details on how

each competency was demonstrated.

CORE COMPETENCIES

EVALUATION

Collaboration

Work together to develop ideas, solve problems

and word toward a common goal while leveraging

others’ expertise and perspectives; establish

rapport with the community and internal FBI

partners; maintain composure and display

professionalism at all times; and share information

with others you deem appropriate when needed.

Communication

Express thoughts and ideas clearly, concisely,

persuasively and effectively both orally and in

writing; interpret and understand verbal or written

communications; tailor communication to recipient

experience, exposure or expertise; and proactively

share information when appropriate.

Flexibility and Adaptability

Adapt rapidly to changing circumstances;

anticipate problems and work proactively to solve

them; accept new direction eagerly; and positively

consider new points of view when offered.

Leadership

Motivate and inspire; develop and mentor; gain

the respect, condence and loyalty of others;

and articulate a vision, give guidance and provide

direction in accomplishing goals.

PHYSICAL FITNESS

TEST (PFT)

All You Need to Know to Apply

PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST (PFT)

The FBI special agent position requires a commitment to physical tness as part

of daily life. Applicants will take an ocial PFT during the application period and at the

FBI Academy.

PREPARING FOR YOUR

OFFICIAL PFT

During the application process, you must pass the

PFT, scoring a minimum of nine total points with

at least one point in three events and no less than

zero in any event. A negative score in any of the

four events is considered a failure. You will have an

unlimited number of attempts up to one year after

passing the Background Investigation to pass the

PFT.

Note: All BFTC candidates must pass a PFT scoring a minimum

of 12 total points with at least one point in each of the four events

once while at the Academy.

The standard PFT consists of four main events. A

fth event, pull-ups, is now required of all NATs, but

is not scored as pass/fail. The event is tracked for

Academy tness award recognition. However, all

Tactical Recruitment Program (TRP) candidates

must complete and pass the pull-up event. These

events were chosen because they accurately

measure an individual’s overall tness level relative

to the essential tasks performed by FBI special

agents. The events are administered in the following

order with no more than ve minutes of rest in

between each event:

1. Maximum number of continuous sit-ups in one

minute

2. Timed 300-meter sprint

3. Maximum number of continuous push-ups

(untimed)

4. Timed 1.5-mile run

5. Maximum number of pull-ups (untimed)*

Each event must be performed precisely according

to the strictly dened protocol in order to be scored.

In order to pass the standard PFT, you must achieve

a minimum cumulative score of 12 points in the

rst four events, with at least one point in each of

the rst four events; therefore, it is possible for you

to receive a score of 12 (or more) and still fail the

standard PFT by failing one of the individual events.

If you are a TRP applicant, you must achieve a

minimum score of 20 points and must score at least

one point in each of the ve events to pass the TRP

PFT.

*Note: Only TRP candidates are scored on this event.

All You Need to Know to Apply

PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST (PFT)

Sit-ups

The candidate lies on back with tops of shoulder

blades touching the oor; arms crossed over chest

with ngers in contact with the top of the shoulder

(trapezius muscle or seam on some T-shirts).

Knees are bent at a 90-degree angle with the feet

placed at on the oor (feet are held in place by a

partner with the partner’s hands at the tongue of

the trainee’s shoes and knees on the trainee’s toes).

Candidate raises upper body until the elbows touch

mid-thigh, then returns to the starting position (the

tops of the shoulder blades must touch the oor)

to complete the repetition. Hips must remain in

contact with the ground throughout the repetition.

This is a timed one-minute continuous motion

exercise; if a candidate pauses before the minute is

up, he or she forfeits the rest of the minute.

PROTOCOL AND SCORING

GUIDE

Scoring Scale for One-Minute Sit-ups

Score Female Range Male Range

-2 29 and below 31 and below

0 30-34 32-37

1 35-36 38

2 37-40 39-42

3 41-42 43-44

4 43-46 45-47

5 47-48 48-49

6 49-50 50-51

7 51-52 52-53

8 53-54 54-55

9 55-56 56-57

10 57 and over 58 and over

All You Need to Know to Apply

PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST (PFT)

Scoring Scale for Timed 300-Meter

Sprint (in seconds)

Score Female Range Male Range

-2 67.5 and over 55.1 and over

0 67.4–65.0 55.0–52.5

1 64.9–62.5 52.4–51.1

2 62.4–60.0 51.0–49.5

3 59.9–57.5 49.4–48.0

4 57.4–56.0 47.9–46.1

5 55.9–54.0 46.0–45.0

6 53.9–53.0 44.9–44.0

7 52.9–52.0 43.9–43.0

8 51.9–51.0 42.9–42.0

9 50.9–50.0 41.9–41.0

10 49.9 and

below

40.9 and

below

300-Meter Sprint

The 300-meter sprint event usually takes place on

a quarter-mile oval track (although this may change

based on individual circumstances). The candidate

will start from a standing position and run 300

meters (3/4 of one lap).

All You Need to Know to Apply

PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST (PFT)

Push-ups

The candidate begins in the front leaning rest position

(hands on the oor one to two hand widths beyond

the shoulders and elbows must be away from the

body, with arms fully extended, body held straight

with the feet no more than three inches apart and the

toes touching the oor). As the arms are exed, the

body is lowered toward the oor until the upper arms

are parallel to the oor (straight line from center axis

of elbow to center axis of shoulder). The candidate

completes the exercise after returning to the starting

position. This is a continuous-motion exercise.

Scoring Scale for Push-ups (untimed)

Score Female Range Male Range

-2 4 and below 19 and below

0 5–13 20–29

1 14–18 30–32

2 19–21 33–39

3 22–26 40–43

4 27–29 44–49

5 30–32 50–53

6 33–35 54–56

7 36–38 57–60

8 39–41 61–64

9 42–44 65–70

10 45 and over 71

All You Need to Know to Apply

PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST (PFT)

1.5-Mile Run

The 1.5-mile run event usually takes place on a

quarter-mile oval track (although this may change

based on individual circumstances). The candidate

will start from a standing position and run six laps

around the track.

Scoring Scale for Timed 1.5-Mile Run (in

minutes: seconds)

Score Female Range Male Range

-2 15:00 and over 13:30 and over

0 14:59–14:00 13:29–12:25

1 13:59–13:35 12:24–12:15

2 13:34–13:00 12:14–11:35

3 12:59–12:30 11:34–11:10

4 12:29–11:57 11:09–10:35

5 11:56–11:35 10:34–10:15

6 11:34–11:15 10:14–9:55

7 11:14–11:06 9:54–9:35

8 11:05–10:45 9:34–9:20

9 10:44–10:35 9:19–9:00

10 10:34 and

below

8:59 and

below

All You Need to Know to Apply

PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST (PFT)

Pull-ups*

The candidate hangs from a horizontal bar, hands

at least shoulder width apart (but no more than 23

inches apart as measured from the outsides of the

hands) with palms turned away from the face and

arms fully extended. The candidate exes his or

her arms and pulls the body upward until the chin

is higher than the bar. There can be no swinging or

jerking of the body or use of the legs in an effort to

propel the body upward. The candidate then lowers

the body back to the hanging position with arms fully

extended. This is a continuous-motion exercise.

*Note: Only TRP candidates are scored on this event.

Scoring Scale for Pull-ups (untimed)

Score Female Range Male Range

0 0 0-1

1 1 2-3

2 2 4-5

3 3 6-7

4 4 8-9

5 5 10-11

6 6 12-13

7 7 14-15

8 8 16-17

9 9 18-19

10 10 and over 20 and over

All You Need to Know to Apply

PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST (PFT)

TACTICAL RECRUITMENT

PROGRAM

You must spend at least three years as a special

agent prior to applying for the TRP.

You may also qualify for the TRP if you:

• Have at least three years of law enforcement or

military experience.

• Pass an interview with Critical Incident Response

Group (CIRG) personnel.

• Pass the TRP PFT.

The TRP PFT consists of ve mandatory events that

are administered in the following order, with no more

than ve minutes of rest between each event:

1. Maximum number of continuous sit-ups in one

minute

2. Timed 300-meter sprint

3. Maximum number of continuous push-ups

(untimed)

4. Timed 1.5-mile run

5. Maximum number of pull-ups (untimed)

As a TRP applicant, you must achieve a minimum

score of 20 points and must score at least one

point in each of the ve events to pass the TRP PFT.

In addition, your scores on individual events must

meet the minimum requirements of the four-event

standard PFT. If you fail the TRP PFT, you will not be

processed under the TRP. However, TRP applicants

who fail the TRP PFT but pass the standard PFT will

continue processing under the SASS.

You are reminded that minimum performance is just

that — the minimum. Competitive performance at

the HRT selection course will require physical tness

well in excess of these minimums.

Special agent applicants with tactical experience interested in pursuing a position with

the Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) are considered tactical applicants through the Tactical

Recruitment Program (TRP) and should be fully prepared to pass the TRP Physical Fitness

Test (PFT).

All You Need to Know to Apply

PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST (PFT)

MEDICAL EXCEPTIONS

Illness or injury that occurs before the PFT, which

prohibits the applicant from showing up for the test,

must be supported by medical documentation 72

hours before the scheduled PFT date/time.

If an applicant is injured or falls sick less than 72

hours before the scheduled PFT, the applicant must

advise his or her Physical Fitness Advisor (PFA)

as soon as possible and must provide supporting

medical documentation within 72 hours.

Illness/injury that occurs during the PFT, which

prevents the candidate from completing the test,

must be supported by medical documentation

obtained within 72 hours after the PFT. If the

candidate sustains injuries or falls ill during the

course of testing, he or she must stop taking the

PFT immediately and seek medical attention. If the

candidate continues to take the PFT and fails, no

medical excuse will allow that failure to

be rescinded.

Example: A candidate fractures her ankle

two weeks before a scheduled PFT. The

candidate must provide her eld oce with

medical documentation clearly stating that

she cannot physically complete the PFT.

This document must be received within

72 hours prior to the PFT. The candidate

will be deactivated if acceptable medical

documentation is not provided.

Example: A candidate hurts his wrist during

the push-ups event and informs the PFT

administrator that he cannot continue.

The candidate is required to seek medical

attention within 72 hours and provide

supporting documentation. If the candidate

does not submit acceptable documentation

to the eld oce, the PFT will be recorded

as a failure.

If an applicant arrives at the PFT and is sick, the

PFT will not be administered. The candidate will

then have to provide documentation proving that

he or she sought medical attention within 72 hours

for that specic injury or illness. If acceptable

documentation is not provided, the PFT will be

recorded as a failure.

If a candidate completes the PFT, the score will

stand whether or not the applicant obtains a passing

score. No applicant will be granted a retest if he or

she completes a PFT with a failing score and then

claims that an injury or illness prevented him or her

from passing the test.

Given the demanding requirements associated with training for and taking the PFT, the FBI

will excuse an applicant from his or her PFT with sucient medical documentation.

All You Need to Know to Apply

PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST (PFT)

TRAINING AND PREPARATION

Warm-up and Cool-down

Each workout should begin with a dynamic warm-up

period of at least ve to 10 minutes. This will increase

core body temperature, lubricate the joints and prime

the nervous system for the workout that follows. The

warm-up should include moderate-intensity aerobic

activities (cycling, jogging) and limited amounts of

the specic movements to be trained that day (push-

ups, sit-ups). You should already be sweating before

the workout begins! Once the workout is completed,

perform ve to 10 minutes of moderate physical

activity as a cool down and transition back to rest.

Reasonable Accommodations

Applicants requesting a reasonable accommodation

during the PFT must submit written medical

documentation to their Applicant Coordinator

from a certied medical provider describing the

medical disability and the need for reasonable

accommodation during the PFT. The applicant or the

health care professional should propose the specic

accommodation needed by the applicant to take the

PFT. All reasonable accommodation requests are

reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Training Principles

Overload To increase physical tness, one must exercise at a level that challenges the body beyond its

current capacity. Overload is often expressed in terms of training frequency (how often), training

intensity (how demanding) and training duration (how long).

Progression For continued tness improvements, the overload must be gradually increased.

Specicity To best prepare for the Physical Fitness Test, applicants should devote most of their training

time to sprints and sustained runs, as well as sit-ups, push-ups and pull-ups* performed to

protocol. Applicants should also avoid training for each event in isolation.

Reversibility If physical training ceases, tness levels will return to pretraining levels. Use it or lose it.

Sample Training Program

The FBI recommends that all applicants follow a

disciplined workout program in preparation for the

PFT. To assist you with this, we have provided a

sample Physical Training Planner.

The Physical Training Planner includes four different

types of workout programs in addition to the warm-up/

cool-down:

• Muscular Strength and Endurance

• Aerobic Power

• Anaerobic Power

• Circuit Training

Muscular Strength and Endurance

This type of workout will increase a muscle group’s

ability to exert force and resist fatigue. Since

strength and endurance are specic to certain

muscle groups, we strongly recommend that you

perform push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups according

to the criteria used to score the PFT as your primary

strength and endurance exercises.

All You Need to Know to Apply

PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST (PFT)

Aerobic Power

This type of workout will increase the capacity of

the cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal

systems to deliver and utilize oxygen for energy.

Sustained running should be your primary mode of

aerobic training. Exertion should be heavy throughout

the workout (you should be working hard enough that it

is impossible to carry on a conversation).

Anaerobic Power

This type of workout will increase the body’s capacity

to perform high-intensity work and should consist of

short bursts (30–90 seconds) of maximum exertion.

We recommend sprint running because this will best

prepare you for the 300-meter sprint on the PFT.

Circuit Training*

Circuit training combines elements of aerobic

and anaerobic, as well as muscular strength and

endurance exercises with limited rest periods.

Rather than always training for these tness

components in isolation, we recommend that

applicants perform at least one circuit workout

per week to prepare for the multi-stage PFT. Listed

below is a sample circuit workout:

1. Run for 90 seconds

2. Maximum sit-ups in 30 seconds

3. Run for 90 seconds

4. Maximum continuous push-ups

5. Run for 90 seconds

6. Maximum continuous pull-ups**

7. Run for 90 seconds

8. Maximum body weight squats or lunges in 30

seconds

*Repeat entire circuit three to ve times with one minute of rest in

between repetitions.

**Note: Only TRP candidates are scored on this event.

IMPORTANT

While a sample training program is

provided for reference purposes,

the FBI strongly recommends

consulting with a physician to create

a personalized tness plan.

Muscular Strength

and Endurance

Anaerobic Power Aerobic Power

Frequency 2–3 days per week;

nonconsecutive days.

1–2 days per week. 3–5 days per week.

Intensity 3–5 sets of max repetitions.

Add resistance for sit-ups,

push-ups.

3–10 repetitions of 30–90

second sprints; maximum

exertion.

Heavy exertion: too dicult

to carry on a conversation.

Time 30–60 seconds of rest

between sets.

Rest twice as long as

exertion.

20–30 minutes

General Training Guidelines

The general guidelines for training to improve

muscular strength and endurance, aerobic power

and anaerobic power are provided in the table

below. Applicants should use these guidelines to

help structure their workouts appropriately. Special

consideration should be given to circuit training as

this type of workout best replicates the PFT.

All You Need to Know to Apply

PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST (PFT)

Physical Training Planner

The Physical Training Planner shown below provides

applicants with a disciplined workout program

in preparation for the PFT. As you increase in

strength, endurance and power, you will be able to

progressively increase your speed, repetitions

or intensity for each workout.

Avoiding Injuries

It’s estimated that as many as 50% of people starting

an exercise program will report an injury within the

rst six months. These injuries make it dicult, if

not impossible, to continue physical tness training

without some period of inactivity. This section

identies the main risk factors that can lead to injury,

as well as some risk-reduction strategies.

Inexibility and Muscle Imbalances — Joint mechanics

are disrupted when muscles on one side are excessively

weak and/or lengthened while muscles on the other

side are overdeveloped and/or tight. Train in a way that

promotes muscular balance from front to back, side to

side and top to bottom. Stretch the tight muscles and

strengthen the weak muscles.

Environmental Considerations — Running on

harsh surfaces (uneven terrain, banked surfaces,

concrete) can magnify the stress placed on the

musculoskeletal system. Opt for relatively at,

cushioned training surfaces when possible. Harsh

climates can also lead to heat or cold illness, so

acclimate yourself with 14 days of moderate training

within an environment.

Proper Footwear — Choose footwear that is

appropriate for your activities and allows for normal

mechanics, especially during running. Replace your

running shoes after 300 miles or every six months,

whichever comes rst.

Overtraining — Too much physical stress applied

too quickly with insucient recovery can lead to

dysfunction. Follow the physical training guidelines

addressed here and those set forth by leading

tness and sports medicine organizations. Having

regular rest days is important for recovery.

Improper Technique — Faulty exercise techniques

can place undue stress on joints and soft tissues.

Never sacrice form and technique for more

repetitions or faster times.

Monday Tuesday Wednes-

day

Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Warm-up Warm-up Warm-up Rest Day Warm-up Warm-up Rest Day

Muscular

Strength and

Endurance

Aerobic

Exercise

(30 min)

Circuit

Workout

Muscular

Strength and

Endurance

Aerobic

Exercise

(30 min)

Aerobic

Exercise

(20 min)

Anaerobic

Exercise

(Sprints)

Cool Down Cool Down Cool Down Cool Down Cool Down