After you receive a conditional FBI offer of employment, the next step is to begin the background investigation process. All candidates must receive an FBI Top Secret Clearance before they can begin employment with the FBI. Once you have been instructed to do so, you will initiate the FBI background investigation process by completing the appropriate FBI Background Investigation Forms.

As soon as the FBI receives a fully complete set of background investigation forms (your Human Resources point-of-contact will provide you with an address), the FBI will commence with your background investigation. You will be contacted by the FBI office that is processing your background to schedule your interview, drug test, and polygraph examination. The polygraph will check the truthfulness of all of your responses on the FBI Background Investigation Forms. In the next phase of the process, the FBI will perform extensive records checks (e.g., credit checks, police records checks, etc.), and FBI investigators will interview current and former colleagues, neighbors, friends, professors, etc.

Please note that because of the thoroughness of the background investigation process, it can take several months or more to receive your FBI Top Secret Security Clearance.