High School

If you are interested in becoming a deputy U.S. marshal, you must complete high school and obtain an undergraduate degree or equivalent experience. In high school, you should pursue a general course of study that includes courses in government, one or more foreign languages, criminal justice, English, history, and computer science.

Postsecondary Training

The Marshals Service requires that candidates be between the ages of 21 and 36 and have a minimum level of education or experience. A four-year bachelor's degree in any major is sufficient. Without an undergraduate degree, however, an applicant needs at least three years' experience in a job demonstrating poise and self-confidence under stress, as well as the ability to reason soundly, make decisions quickly, find practical solutions, accept responsibility, interact tactfully with a wide range of people, and prepare reports. Although any number of occupations may fulfill these requirements, the following are examples of acceptable experience: (1) law enforcement; (2) correctional treatment and supervision of inmates; (3) classroom teaching; (4) volunteer work or counseling for a community action program; (5) sales work (but not over-the-counter sales positions); (6) interviewing; or (7) jobs, such as a credit rating investigator, claims adjuster, or journalist, that require public contact for the purpose of collecting information. For candidates who have been to college but do not have a degree, every year of study is accepted as nine months of experience.

All candidates are required to take a written test. The questions are intended to evaluate clerical skills, the ability to reason verbally, and the level of proficiency in abstract reasoning (that is, using symbols and numbers). Candidates are also given a personal interview and, as for all government jobs, must be willing to undergo an extensive background check.

Once hired, new deputy marshals are sent to a 21.5-week training program at the U.S. Marshals Service Training Academy in Glynco, Ga. The program features training in the following areas:

• Legal Training
• Defensive Tactics
• Driver Training
• Courtroom Evidence & Procedure
• Court Security
• Officer Survival
• Search and Seizure
• Protective Service Training
• Firearms Training
• Physical Conditioning
• First Aid
• Prisoner Search & Restraint
• Computer Training
• Building Entry & Search
• High Threat
• Trials
• Surveillance

There is also a rigorous physical fitness program and 18 months of on-the-job training. It should be noted that applicants for deputy U.S. marshal positions should be in excellent physical condition. During the course of training, candidates must pass a total of seven examinations, with a minimum passing score of 70 percent. 

Certification or Licensing

There are no certification or licensing requirements for deputy U.S. marshals.

Other Requirements

Before being hired, candidates must pass a background investigation, drug test, and medical examination. They must also be U.S. citizens who are between the ages of 21 and 36 (they must be appointed before their 37th birthday). (Current federal law enforcement employees and veterans preference eligible candidates may be able to receive age waivers.) Like those in other law enforcement positions, deputy U.S. marshals must be in excellent physical shape, and meet minimum fitness standards. Moreover, their vision must be no worse than 20/200 uncorrected in both eyes (corrected to at least 20/20); they must have good hearing (equivalent to being able to hear a whispered voice at 15 feet); and they may not have insulin-dependent diabetes or any other health condition that might interfere with job performance or endanger the health and safety of others.

A variety of occupations may fulfill experience requirements for this career, including working in law enforcement; correctional treatment and supervision of inmates; classroom teaching; volunteer work or counseling for a community action program; sales work (excluding over-the-counter sales positions); interviewing; or jobs such as a credit rating investigator, claims adjuster, or journalist, that require public contact for the purpose of collecting information. Experience is also gained during a 21.5-week training program at the U.S. Marshals Service Training Academy in Glynco, Ga., and 18 months of on-the-job training. Applicants for deputy U.S. marshal positions should also be in excellent physical condition. Deputy U.S. marshals must be able to think quickly on their feet and act decisively in dangerous situations. They should also be confident, courageous, detail-oriented, and able to work as a member of a team.