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FBI SPECIAL AGENT PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Serving as an FBI Special Agent is a demanding job. A Special Agent is often placed in situations
that make great demands on his/her physical capacity. In these instances, physical fitness is often
the factor that spells the difference between success and failure - even life and death. Therefore,
all candidates for the position must be in excellent physical condition with no disabilities which would
interfere in firearm use, raids, or defensive tactics. All Special Agent candidates must be able to pass
several tests to gain admittance to the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Physical Fitness Test
To ensure that FBI Special Agents are fully prepared to meet their responsibilities as leaders in the
law enforcement community, applicants must pass a standardized Physical Fitness Test. The test consists
of four mandatory events that are administered in the following order:
- Maximum number of sit-ups in one minute
- Timed 300-meter sprint
- Maximum number of push-ups (untimed)
- Timed one and one-half mile (1.5 mile) run
After successfully passing Phase I, applicants will be requested to self test using the proper Physical Fitness Test (PFT) protocol. The results will be reported on the PFT Self Evaluation Form. Click here to access that form. No applicant will be considered for Phase II testing until he/she has submitted a PFT Self Evaluation Form which reflects a passing score. An official Physical Fitness Test will be administered by an FBI representative after an applicant successfully passes Phase II.
The Physical Fitness Test is administered to a Special Agent applicant at his/her processing FBI Field Office. Special Agent applicants must pass the Physical Fitness Test as the next step after passing Phase II testing in order for any further background processing to take place and to be eligible for admission into a New Agent Training Class. A Special Agent applicant will have a total of three opportunities to achieve a passing score on the Physical Fitness Test. One immediately after Phase II testing, a second a minimum of sixty days after the initial test, and a final Physical Fitness Test one year from the date of the second Physical Fitness Test. If a passing score is not achieved in any of the tests, the Special Agent applicant will not be eligible in the future for the Special Agent position.
There is a strictly defined scoring scale and
protocol for each event. In order to pass the Physical Fitness Test, Special Agent applicants must achieve a minimum cumulative score of twelve points with at least one point in each of the four events. Special Agent applicants who pass the Physical Fitness Test are considered sufficiently fit to safely and successfully complete the physical training and defensive tactics portion of New Agent's Training at the FBI Academy.
New Agent Trainees admitted to the FBI Academy must re-pass the Physical Fitness Test in their first week at the Academy. The test, scoring scale, and protocol are exactly the same, except a fifth event is added - standard pull-ups. The score on pull-ups is not used for pass/fail purposes, but is used by the FBI Training Division for fitness awards, including the 50-point award. Please note: some Field Offices may administer the pull-ups test during the Field Office Physical Fitness Test.
Before attempting any of these events, please review the FBI's Physical Training Guidelines
in order to maximize performance and avoid injuries.
Vision Requirements
Special Agent candidates should possess uncorrected visual acuity no worse than 20/200 (Snellen) in each eye, with correction to 20/20 in one eye and at least 20/40 in the other eye. Individuals unable to meet the 20/200 minimum uncorrected acuity may be considered if they provide medical documentation of use of soft contact lenses for at least one year without significant problems or adverse events. If an applicant has had laser eye corrective surgery, a six-month waiting period is required prior to beginning New Agents' Training at the FBI Academy.
The applicant must also provide evidence of complete healing by an ophthalmology clinical evaluation. Policy for color vision allows continuation of applicant processing if those who fail initial color vision screening are able to successfully complete the Farnsworth D-15 color vision test.
Hearing Requirements
Special Agent applicants must take an audiometer test and meet specified hearing standards. Please note that no applicant
will be considered who exceeds any of the following:
a) average hearing loss of 25 decibels (ANSI) at 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hertz
b) single reading of 35 decibels at 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hertz
c) single reading of 35 decibels at 500 Hertz
d) single reading of 45 decibels at 4000 Hertz
Medical Review
An applicant's medical history will be reviewed thoroughly and a determination will be made whether any medical issue
(or condition) could potentially affect the applicant's ability to perform the basic functions of the Special Agent
position. This medical review ensures that each candidate's situation is reviewed on an individual basis. If you have
undergone a particular surgical procedure (e.g., radial keratotomy) and/or have some preexisting medical condition (e.g.,
hypertension), this will require careful review during the physical examination process. Issues/conditions that surface
during the Medical Reviews may delay the final processing for employment. Although an applicant's doctor provides information
about the applicant's medical condition, it is the FBI's Chief Medical Officer who decides if the applicant is physically able
to perform the duties of the job. This decision is based on the review of the applicant's doctor's findings and the FBI's
knowledge of the requirements of the job. The FBI is committed to treating all applicants fairly and equitably in all aspects of
our hiring/selection process.
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