MOST COMPETITIVE CANDIDATES are generally 28 - 32 years of age with a minimum of five years (preferably six or more years) of  Professional, Managerial, and/or Supervisory work experience, in addition to having a four-year degree.

     Candidates with advanced degrees still need two - three years of this work experience to be considered "most competitive."

     Individuals proficient in a language for which the FBI has a need must pass FBI language testing or equivalent Defense Language Proficiency (DLP) testing to be considered "most competitive" under the Language Program.

     Having passed the Bar/CPA exam with at least two years of practicing experience is preferred for those individuals to be considered "most competitive" under the Law and Accounting Programs.

     Disqualifiers include: Having used marijuana during the last three years or more than fifteen times. Having used any illegal drug(s) or combination of illegal drugs, other than marijuana, more than five times or during the last ten years. Having been convicted of a felony or major misdemeanor, including DWIs/DUIs.

     MILITARY PERSONNEL: Candidates must be within twelve months of completing obligated service to the military and can only be affiliated with a STANDBY RESERVE COMPONENT, if hired as a Special Agent. If employed by the FBI, it is the Agent's responsibility to be sure that he or she does NOT affiliate, even unintentionally, with the Ready Reserve. This includes all National Guard billets (including inactive National Guard billets) and all Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) billets, as they are Ready Reserve positions.