Professionals, graduates and students interested in careers with the Federal Bureau of Investigation can explore more than 200 career types through the official FBI Jobs platform.
FBI hiring goes far beyond the Special Agent career path.
The Bureau recruits professionals across areas including:
- Technology
- Engineering
- Mathematics and data
- Intelligence
- Forensics
- Security and surveillance
- Skilled trades
- Administration
- Finance
- Languages
- Science
- Entry-level programs
The FBI currently highlights both entry-level and experienced positions across multiple U.S. locations and says there are more than 200 career types within the organization.
However, one eligibility rule is particularly important:
FBI employment requires U.S. citizenship.
The FBI states that, at minimum, applicants must be U.S. citizens, be able to obtain a Top Secret security clearance, pass a polygraph examination and comply with the FBI’s drug policy.
FBI Careers 2026 Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | Federal Bureau of Investigation |
| Website | FBI Jobs |
| Career Types | 200+ |
| Locations | Multiple U.S. locations |
| Experience Levels | Entry-level and experienced |
| Special Agent Hiring | Available |
| Technology Careers | Available |
| Data and Mathematics Careers | Available |
| Engineering Careers | Available |
| Forensics Careers | Available |
| Skilled Trades | Available |
| Student Programs | Available |
| Paid Internship | Honors Internship Program |
| Citizenship | U.S. citizenship required |
| Security Clearance | Applicants must be able to obtain required FBI clearance |
| Job Guarantee | No |
| International Applicants Without U.S. Citizenship | Not eligible for FBI employment |
FBI Hiring Is Not Limited to Special Agents
Many people associate the FBI primarily with Special Agents and intelligence work.
However, FBI Jobs emphasizes that the agency hires professionals from a much broader range of backgrounds.
The official careers portal currently highlights:
more than 200 career types
and says both entry-level and experienced opportunities are available.
Opportunities Feed Insight
This matters because someone interested in the FBI does not necessarily need a traditional law-enforcement background.
Depending on current openings and qualifications, candidates may find career paths involving:
- Data analysis
- Software and IT
- Cybersecurity
- Engineering
- Electronics
- Statistics
- Forensic science
- Accounting
- Languages
- Administration
- Security
- Skilled trades
Current FBI Hot Job Openings
As of September 7, 2026, FBI Jobs is highlighting several vacancies.
Among them are:
Special Agent GL-1811-09/10
An external Special Agent vacancy is currently listed for:
All U.S. Citizens
at:
GL-09/10.
Special Agent 1811
Another external Special Agent posting covering:
GL-10 / GS-11 / GS-12 / GS-13
is also listed as open to:
All U.S. Citizens.
Electronics Technician
The FBI currently highlights an:
Electronics Technician – Springfield Field Office
vacancy at:
GS-7/9
open to:
All U.S. Citizens.
The listed deadline is:
September 8, 2026.
Opportunities Feed Deadline Alert
Because September 8, 2026 is immediately approaching, eligible applicants interested in the Electronics Technician role should review the official vacancy without delay.
Do not assume that the deadline will be extended.
Current Security and Surveillance Vacancy
The FBI’s Security and Surveillance careers page currently lists a:
Threat Intake Examiner
position at:
GS-7/8
within the CJIS Division / National Threat Operations Section.
The position is open to:
All U.S. Citizens
with a current deadline of:
September 8, 2026.
Current FBI Technology and Data Openings
FBI data and technology careers are also worth watching closely.
Current Mathematics and Data career listings include:
IT Specialist – Digital Forensic Specialist
Location:
Seattle Field Office
Level:
GS-7/9
Open to:
All U.S. Citizens
Deadline:
September 9, 2026.
IT Specialist – Director’s Strategic Information Group
Location:
Washington, D.C.
Level:
GS-11/12
Open to:
All U.S. Citizens
Deadline:
September 15, 2026.
IT Specialist – Operational Technology Division
Location:
Quantico, Virginia
Level:
GS-12
Open to:
All U.S. Citizens
Deadline:
September 17, 2026.
FBI Technology Careers
Technology professionals help the FBI modernize systems and maintain the technical capabilities needed to respond to evolving threats.
The FBI specifically highlights:
Technology Careers
as one of its major professional career categories.
Depending on the vacancy, technology careers may involve areas such as:
- Information technology
- Systems
- Digital forensics
- Cybersecurity
- Software
- Infrastructure
- Operational technology
- Data systems
Opportunities Feed Assessment
For applicants with backgrounds in computer science, cybersecurity, data, networking or IT, FBI technology careers may provide alternatives to the Special Agent route.
Mathematics and Data Careers
The FBI also recruits professionals in:
Mathematics and Data.
The Bureau says its data analysts and data scientists support investigative work through:
- Data modeling
- Statistical techniques
- Mathematical techniques
- Actionable insights
Data Analyst Careers at the FBI
Data analysts can contribute to investigations by transforming complex information into insights investigators and decision-makers can use.
Opportunities Feed Insight
This may appeal to candidates with backgrounds in:
- Data analytics
- Statistics
- Mathematics
- Computer science
- Business intelligence
- Data science
However, applicants should always use the qualifications stated in the individual vacancy rather than assuming that a general analytics degree automatically satisfies every FBI position.
Data Scientist Careers
FBI data-science roles can involve using quantitative methods to support investigative and intelligence work.
Relevant skills may include:
- Statistical analysis
- Mathematical modeling
- Data preparation
- Data interpretation
- Analytical communication
The specific technical requirements vary by vacancy.
Engineering Careers
Engineering professionals are another major FBI career group.
The FBI says engineers:
drive innovation and tackle projects that make the mission possible.
Candidates should watch FBI Jobs for openings corresponding to their particular engineering discipline.
Forensics Careers
Forensics professionals work with evidence connected to complex investigations.
The FBI highlights forensic careers involving the preservation and analysis of evidence, including work related to financial crime investigations.
Potential backgrounds can include various scientific and technical disciplines depending on the job.
Skilled Trades Careers
Not all FBI positions require a conventional office or academic professional background.
The FBI specifically recruits skilled-trades professionals with experience involving areas such as:
- Automotive repair
- Machinery
- Electrical repair
- Carpentry
- Locks
Opportunities Feed Insight
This is a useful reminder that federal careers can extend beyond occupations typically associated with government agencies.
Special Agent Careers
Special Agents remain one of the FBI’s most visible career paths.
The FBI says Special Agents come from a wide variety of:
- Educational backgrounds
- Professional experiences
- Skill sets
and are expected to demonstrate leadership and the ability to take on complex challenges.
FBI Special Agent Eligibility
The FBI currently lists specific requirements for Special Agent applicants.
GL-9 Applicants
Candidates generally need either:
- A bachelor’s degree and one year of sworn law-enforcement officer experience
or:
- An advanced degree
GL-10 Applicants
Candidates generally need:
- A bachelor’s degree and at least two years of full-time professional work experience
or:
- An advanced degree and at least one year of full-time professional experience
Special Agent Age Requirement
Special Agent applicants must generally be:
at least 23 years old.
They normally need to apply before their:
36th birthday
and enter duty before their 37th birthday.
Certain veterans, current FBI employees and people with qualifying federal law-enforcement experience may qualify for exceptions.
Other Special Agent Requirements
Special Agent candidates must also:
- Possess a valid driver’s license
- Meet physical fitness requirements
- Meet medical requirements
- Be legally able to possess and carry a firearm
- Be able to obtain Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance
What Does the FBI Evaluate?
During the Special Agent Selection System, candidates are evaluated against several FBI core competencies.
These include:
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Initiative
- Organizing and planning
- Problem solving and judgment
- Professionalism and integrity
Opportunities Feed Application Strategy
Applicants should therefore avoid preparing only for technical or academic questions.
Strong examples demonstrating:
- Leadership
- Judgment
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Initiative
- Ethical decision-making
may also be important during the selection process.
FBI Careers for Students and Recent Graduates
The FBI operates several pathways specifically for students and graduates.
These include:
- Honors Internship Program
- Collegiate Hiring Initiative
- Visiting Scientist Program
- Other entry-level opportunities
The FBI says these programs are designed for students and recent graduates across different post-secondary education levels.
FBI Honors Internship Program
The:
Honors Internship Program — HIP
is one of the FBI’s major student opportunities.
It is a:
full-time paid internship
with assignments available at many U.S. locations.
The program typically takes place during:
June through August.
Is the 2027 FBI Honors Internship Still Open?
No.
The FBI states that the:
2027 Honors Internship Program application cycle has closed.
The internship itself is scheduled for:
June through August 2027.
The FBI also states that:
2028 application-cycle dates have not yet been announced.
Opportunities Feed Warning
Articles advertising the FBI 2027 Honors Internship as currently open would therefore be outdated.
Candidates interested in the next cycle should use FBI job alerts.
Is the FBI Internship Paid?
Yes.
The FBI currently describes HIP as a:
paid internship.
Interns with a bachelor’s degree who are enrolled full-time in a graduate program receive:
GS-5 pay.
Other qualifying full-time students, including undergraduate students, receive:
GS-4 pay.
FBI Internship Eligibility
Current Honors Internship eligibility requirements include:
- U.S. citizenship
- Full-time enrollment at a U.S.-accredited college or university
- Undergraduate, graduate or post-doctoral status
- Maintaining at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Meeting FBI employment requirements
- Passing the background investigation
- Ability to receive a Top Secret clearance
Students graduating before the program start date generally are not eligible unless they are continuing their education in the immediately following semester.
Can the FBI Internship Lead to a Full-Time Job?
The FBI describes its Honors Internship Program as a potential pipeline into full-time FBI employment after college.
The agency currently reports:
60% of interns receive a full-time job offer after graduation.
Opportunities Feed Clarification
This figure should not be interpreted as a guarantee for any individual intern.
Selection and future employment remain subject to FBI hiring requirements and organizational needs.
Collegiate Hiring Initiative
The:
Collegiate Hiring Initiative — CHI
recruits graduating students and degree holders into full-time entry-level FBI careers.
Eligible candidates may include people with:
- Undergraduate degrees
- Graduate degrees
- PhDs
Is the Collegiate Hiring Initiative Open?
The FBI currently states:
There are no Collegiate Hiring Initiative positions open.
Candidates can set up job alerts for future vacancies.
Collegiate Hiring Initiative Eligibility
Current eligibility requirements listed by the FBI include:
- U.S. citizenship
- Attendance at or graduation from a U.S.-accredited college or university
- Relevant graduation timing
- At least a 2.95 cumulative GPA
- Not being a current permanent FBI employee
- Passing FBI background requirements
- Ability to receive a Top Secret clearance
Visiting Scientist Program
Science graduates and researchers may also be interested in the:
FBI Visiting Scientist Program.
The program provides early-career scientists and recent graduates with opportunities to conduct forensic-science research at the:
FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia.
Does the Visiting Scientist Program Pay Participants?
Yes.
The FBI states that Visiting Scientist Program participants receive:
monthly stipends
based on educational level, along with:
training and travel allowances.
Visiting Scientist Eligibility
Requirements currently include:
- U.S. citizenship
- Compliance with FBI drug policy
- Bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S.-accredited institution in an appropriate science, or qualifying faculty status
- Health insurance
- Successful FBI background investigation
Relevant science disciplines may include:
- Chemistry
- Geology
- Physical sciences
- Biology
- Statistics
- Forensic science
Can International Applicants Apply for FBI Jobs?
For ordinary FBI employment:
No, not unless they are U.S. citizens.
The FBI explicitly states that U.S. citizenship is a minimum employment requirement.
Opportunities Feed Clarification
This means FBI career articles should not be marketed as:
- Jobs for international applicants
- Visa sponsorship opportunities
- U.S. jobs for foreigners
- Immigration pathways
The FBI careers covered here require U.S. citizenship.
Does the FBI Sponsor Work Visas?
The FBI employment eligibility described on its official careers website requires:
U.S. citizenship.
Therefore, foreign nationals should not interpret FBI vacancies as conventional employer-sponsored U.S. work-visa opportunities.
FBI Security Clearance Requirements
FBI applicants face rigorous security screening.
At minimum, the FBI says candidates must be able to obtain:
FBI Top Secret clearance.
Certain roles, including Special Agent positions, require eligibility for:
Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance.
FBI Polygraph Requirement
The FBI’s general eligibility information states that applicants must:
pass a polygraph examination.
Applicants must also comply with FBI drug-policy requirements.
How Competitive Are FBI Careers?
Opportunities Feed Assessment
FBI recruitment should generally be treated as highly selective because applicants can face combinations of:
- Job-specific qualification screening
- Security-clearance requirements
- Background investigation
- Polygraph testing
- Drug-policy requirements
- Interviews
- Fitness and medical requirements for certain positions
Special Agent hiring involves an especially structured selection process.
The exact process varies by career.
Documents You May Need
Depending on the vacancy, applicants may be asked for documents such as:
- Resume
- Academic transcripts
- Degree information
- Employment records
- Veterans-preference documentation
- SF-50 for applicable federal employees
- Supporting forms
- Program-specific acknowledgments
Student and graduate programs can have their own documentation requirements.
How to Apply for FBI Jobs
A practical application process is:
- Visit the official FBI Jobs website.
- Search current vacancies.
- Open the exact job announcement.
- Confirm whether it is open to all U.S. citizens or limited to current employees.
- Review education and experience requirements.
- Check the closing date.
- Prepare all required documents.
- Create or sign into an FBI applicant profile.
- Submit the application before the deadline.
- Monitor the application and follow FBI instructions throughout the hiring process.
Check Who the Job Is Open To
This step is essential.
Some FBI vacancies are labeled:
All U.S. Citizens
while others may be limited to:
current permanent FBI employees
or another specific applicant group.
Opportunities Feed Tip
Do not assume that appearing on FBI Jobs means a vacancy is open to the general public.
Always review the:
Open To
field.
Watch Deadlines Carefully
Several current vacancies have close deadlines.
As of September 7, 2026:
- Electronics Technician — September 8, 2026
- Threat Intake Examiner — September 8, 2026
- IT Specialist Digital Forensic Specialist — September 9, 2026
- IT Specialist Washington D.C. — September 15, 2026
- IT Specialist Quantico — September 17, 2026
Applicants should verify that each position remains available immediately before applying.
Join the FBI Talent Network
People who do not find a suitable current vacancy can create a profile and join the:
FBI Talent Network
to receive career updates.
The FBI also encourages candidates to use job alerts for future student and graduate opportunities.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
Candidates should avoid:
- Applying without U.S. citizenship
- Missing the vacancy closing date
- Assuming every FBI job is a Special Agent role
- Ignoring the “Open To” field
- Applying to internal-only vacancies as an external applicant
- Underestimating security-clearance requirements
- Failing to disclose information accurately during background screening
- Ignoring physical requirements for Special Agent careers
- Assuming an internship guarantees permanent employment
- Advertising the closed 2027 Honors Internship as still accepting applications
Frequently Asked Questions
How many career types does the FBI offer?
The FBI says it has more than 200 career types.
Does the FBI hire more than Special Agents?
Yes. Careers include technology, engineering, mathematics and data, forensics, skilled trades, intelligence and many other professional areas.
Are entry-level FBI jobs available?
Yes. The FBI hires both entry-level and experienced professionals, although individual openings change frequently.
Must FBI applicants be U.S. citizens?
Yes. U.S. citizenship is a minimum FBI employment requirement.
Can foreigners apply for FBI jobs without U.S. citizenship?
No, ordinary FBI employment requires U.S. citizenship.
Does the FBI offer visa sponsorship?
The FBI requires applicants to be U.S. citizens, so these positions should not be presented as conventional visa-sponsorship opportunities.
Is the FBI hiring Special Agents?
Yes. External Special Agent listings open to all U.S. citizens are currently featured on FBI Jobs.
What is the minimum age for FBI Special Agents?
Generally 23 years old.
Is there an upper age limit?
Special Agent candidates generally need to apply before their 36th birthday and enter duty before turning 37, although specified exceptions can apply.
Do Special Agents need a degree?
Yes. Current Special Agent qualification pathways require at least a bachelor’s degree, with experience requirements varying by grade.
Does the FBI have data analyst careers?
Yes. The FBI has Mathematics and Data career pathways that include data analysts and data scientists.
Does the FBI hire IT professionals?
Yes. Several current FBI vacancies are for IT Specialists.
Does the FBI offer internships?
Yes.
Is the FBI Honors Internship paid?
Yes.
Is the FBI 2027 Honors Internship still open?
No. The FBI says the 2027 application cycle has closed.
When will the 2028 FBI Honors Internship open?
The FBI states that 2028 application dates have not yet been announced.
What GPA is required for the Honors Internship?
At least a 3.0 cumulative GPA must generally be maintained.
Does the FBI offer opportunities for scientists?
Yes. The Visiting Scientist Program provides forensic research opportunities at the FBI Laboratory.
Are Visiting Scientist participants paid?
Participants receive monthly stipends based on educational level, plus training and travel allowances.
Do FBI employees need security clearance?
FBI applicants must be able to obtain the clearance required for their position. The agency lists Top Secret clearance as a minimum employment eligibility consideration.
Does applying guarantee a job?
No.
Opportunities Feed Verdict
The FBI Careers portal is worth exploring for U.S. citizens interested in federal careers that combine public service with technical, analytical, investigative or operational work.
One of the most important facts for applicants is that the FBI offers far more than Special Agent positions.
The agency says it has:
more than 200 career types
with opportunities spanning technology, engineering, mathematics and data, forensics, skilled trades, intelligence and entry-level programs.
There are also timely vacancies to watch in September 2026. Current listings include an Electronics Technician closing September 8, a Threat Intake Examiner closing September 8, a Digital Forensic IT Specialist closing September 9, and additional IT vacancies closing September 15 and September 17.
For students, the FBI offers paid internships and graduate pathways, although the 2027 Honors Internship application cycle is already closed and the 2028 dates have not yet been announced.
The critical eligibility limitation is equally clear:
FBI employment requires U.S. citizenship.
Therefore, these opportunities should be promoted primarily to eligible U.S. audiences rather than marketed as international or visa-sponsorship jobs.
For applicants who meet the citizenship and position-specific requirements, the strongest strategy is to monitor FBI Jobs frequently, use job alerts, prepare documents in advance and apply quickly when suitable openings appear.
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