High School

The minimum educational requirement for anyone wishing to train as a border patrol agent is a high school diploma, although a bachelor's degree is preferred. If you are still in high school, take geography, social studies, and government courses. This will help give you a general background for the field. Take a foreign language class, specifically, Spanish; fluency in this language will give you an advantage over other job applicants.

Postsecondary Training

College majors in criminal justice, law, and sociology are highly regarded as preparation for this field, as is previous military training or law enforcement experience. Knowledge of Spanish and other languages is also helpful.

Border patrol agent trainees participate in a 58-day training course at the Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico. Courses include Immigration and Nationality Law; Criminal Law and Statutory Authority; Spanish; Border Patrol Operations; Care and Use of Firearms; Physical Training; Operation of Motor Vehicles; Anti-Terrorism Training; Communications; Ethics and Conduct; Report Writing; Introduction to Computers; Fingerprinting; and Constitutional Law. Those who are not fluent in Spanish must complete an additional 40 days of language training. 

Border patrol agent and officer candidates must pass some basic physical fitness tests in order to be accepted into the border patrol. Consequently, you should engage in some regular cardiovascular exercise and strength training to prepare yourself for the physical demands of these tests and the job itself. 

Certification or Licensing

No certification is available for border patrol agents.

Other Requirements

Border patrol agents must be U.S. citizens and under the age of 40 when hired. Age waivers are available to those with law enforcement or military backgrounds.

Applicants for border patrol positions must have substantial work experience in law enforcement or in jobs involving contact with the public, or have completed a certain number of years of college.

Border patrol agents must be calm and decisive during dangerous situations. They must know how to quickly assess a developing situation and determine the appropriate response. An incorrect response could place themselves or their colleagues in danger. An agent also needs to be compassionate. Many people who attempt to enter the United States illegally have undergone extreme risk and hardship, and border patrol agents just as frequently encounter emotionally moving situations as hostile, violent ones.

Because they often work with little supervision, border patrol agents should be able to plan and organize their own work schedule. They should be able to communicate effectively in writing, since there is a certain amount of paperwork and reports involved.

Border patrol agents also need to have a strong sense of direction and experience with the geography of wilderness areas. Because they work long shifts in sometimes harsh terrain, it’s also extremely important that border patrol officers have physical stamina and strength.