In the Bluegrass state, there’s almost nothing more important than law and order, and if you’re a Kentuckian interested in a rewarding law enforcement career, then the answer might be to apply with the FBI, or the Federal Bureau of Investigation. FBI agents are some of the country’s top law enforcement officers, and routinely solve serious crimes and take dangerous criminals off of the streets.
Since the duties of an FBI agent are so wide, the requirements to enter this career are very stringent. Discovering the basic qualifications for FBI work will help you to plan a career with the Bureau.
FBI Agent Requirements in Kentucky
Basic Requirements
- Certification: Prospective FBI agents do not need certification.
- Age: Applicants to become agents have a minimum age of 23 and a maximum age of 37 as long as you have been appointed by the time your 37th birthday occurs.
- Licensure: Licenses do not exist for FBI agents.
- Degree: Anyone considering a career with the FBI will need to have obtained a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year university.
- Experience: Unless you have earned a Juris Doctorate, an advanced degree or are a CPA, you will need three years of professional work experience before applying to be an FBI agent.
- Citizenship: You must be a citizen of the United States to work as an FBI agent.
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Additional Requirements
- Flexibility: You must have a flexible attitude when it comes to relocation for work. FBI agents must be able to move, or relocate, to wherever the Bureau requires.
- Background: Criminal, professional and personal background checks will be performed on all potential FBI agents.
- Fitness: Being able to pass a physical fitness test is also an important step in becoming an FBI agent.
Application Process in Kentucky
- Application: When applying to become an FBI agent, be prepared for the process to take up to a year. This is because the process is comprised of several steps, including multiple tests and interviews. Upon passing your tests and interviews, you will be required to take a basic field training course. Once your field training is completed satisfactorily, you will work as a probationary FBI agent for eighteen months before becoming a full agent.
Kentucky FBI Agent Education
FBI agents come from a wide range of backgrounds and have degrees in several fields. This is because the FBI does not have any specific degree requirements related to disciplines. However, there are certain degrees the Bureau prizes more than others, including engineering, science, foreign languages, law, accounting and military/law enforcement training.
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Major Cities in Kentucky
- Lexington, Kentucky’s largest city, has a population of 308,428
- Louisville has the second highest population in this state with 253,128 residents.
- Bullitt County has the third largest population with 76,854 citizens.
What Does an FBI Agent Do in Kentucky?
- The FBI is a law enforcement agency that investigates crimes committed across the country. These crimes can include white collar offenses, corruption of public officials, violent crimes and cybercrimes. FBI agents also track down the most wanted criminal offenders in the country.
- FBI agents can also work to uncover terror threats so that these events can be prevented.
- Foreign counterintelligence is a responsibility of the FBI and FBI agents as well.
Related Careers
While there are several careers that are related to FBI work, the ones that are the closest in nature are law enforcement careers. Police detectives, police officers and even certain private investigators all work in similar areas as FBI agents.
Employment Numbers in Kentucky
As the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not collect information about this career, there is no way to tell how many agents are currently working for the FBI. FBI agents who work in Kentucky will work out of the field office in Louisville.
Kentucky FBI Agent Salary
The General Schedule (GS) pay scale for law enforcement officers is used to calculate pay for FBI agents. Agents start at the GS-10 level and can advance to the GS-13 level, which means a pay range between $58,825 and $115,884.
Kentucky Related Organizational Links
- FBI Agent Eligibility Criteria
- Questions About Working for the FBI
- General Schedule Tables for Geographic Areas
FBI Training Programs and Schools in Kentucky
Criminal Justice Programs and Schools in Kentucky
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Choose your area of study and receive free information about programs you are interested in. FBI agents are dedicated to America’s defense and security. There are a number of careers you can pursue within the FBI with current activities focusing heavily on anit-terrorism. No matter which career you pursue becoming an FBI agent requires deep commitment and dedication. Request information from multiple schools to find the best program and educational opportunity for you!