Read about the process of hiring FBI agents and do the tasks

In order to apply to become an FBI agent, an applicant must be between the ages of 23 and 37. The applicant must also hold American citizenship; have a clean record, and a four-year bachelor’s degree.

All FBI employees require a Top Secret (TS) security clearance. Special Agents candidates also have to pass a Physical Fitness Test (PFT) that includes a 300-meter run, one-minute sit-ups, maximum push-ups, and a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) run. There is also a polygraph test that personnel have to pass, with questions including possible drug use.

After potential special agent candidates are cleared with TS clearance and a non-disclosure agreement is signed, they attend the FBI training facility located on Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. Candidates spend approximately 21 weeks at the FBI Academy, where they receive over 500 classroom hours and over 1,000 simulated law enforcement hours to train. Upon graduation, new FBI Special Agents are placed all around the country and the world, depending on their areas of expertise.

A. Guess about the meanings of the following combinations:

to have a clean record, a Top Secret (TS) security clearance, one-minute sit-ups, maximum push-ups, a polygraph test, to be cleared (with TS clearance), a non-disclosure agreement, training facility, simulated law enforcement hours, areas of expertise.

B. Answer the questions:

1. What are the requirements for a potential FBI agent? (Age, citizenship, quality of a record, education).

2. Why is a Top Secret (TS) security clearance so important for FBI employees?

3. What does a Physical Fitness Test include?

4. Why do personnel have to pass a polygraph test?

5. What documents do candidates sign before attending FBI training facility?

6. What does FBI agents training consist of?