High School

You can help prepare for a career as a special agent by doing well in high school. You may receive special consideration by the Secret Service if you have computer training, which is needed to investigate computer fraud, or if you can speak a foreign language, which is useful during investigations and while protecting visiting heads of state or U.S. officials who are working abroad. Specialized skills in electronics, forensics, and other investigative areas are highly regarded. Other important classes include physical education, English, speech, and psychology. Aside from school, doing something unique and positive for your city or neighborhood, or becoming involved in community organizations can improve your chances of being selected by the Secret Service.

Postsecondary Training

The Secret Service recruits special agents at the GS-7 and GS-9 grade levels. You can qualify at the GS-7 level in one of three ways: obtain a four-year degree from an accredited college or university; work for at least three years in a criminal investigative or law enforcement field and gain knowledge and experience in applying laws relating to criminal violations; or obtain an equivalent combination of education and experience. You can qualify at the GS-9 level by achieving superior academic scores (defined as a grade point average of at least 2.95 on a 4.0 scale), going to graduate school and studying a directly related field, or gaining an additional year of criminal investigative experience.

All newly hired special agents go through 10 weeks of training in the Criminal Investigator Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, and then 17 weeks of specialized training at the Secret Service's Special Agent Training Course outside of Washington, D.C. During training, new agents take comprehensive courses in protective techniques, criminal and constitutional law, criminal investigative procedures, use of scientific investigative devices, first aid, the use of firearms, and defensive measures. Special agents also learn about collecting evidence, surveillance techniques, undercover operation, and courtroom demeanor. Specialized training includes skills such as marksmanship, control tactics, water survival skills, and physical fitness. Secret service agents also participate in "real world" emergency situations involving Secret Service protectees. The classroom study is supplemented by on-the-job training, and special agents go through advanced in-service training throughout their careers.

New special agents usually begin work at the field offices where they first applied. Their initial work is investigative in nature and is closely supervised. After six to eight years, agents are usually transferred to a protection assignment.

Certification or Licensing

There are no certification or licensing requirements to become a special agents, though agents that carry a firearm must be licensed to do so.

Other Requirements

Special agents must be U.S. citizens; be at least 21 and less than 37 years of age at the time of appointment; have uncorrected vision no worse than 20/60 in each eye, correctable to 20/20 in each eye; be in excellent health and physical condition; pass the Treasury Enforcement Agent Examination; and undergo a complete background investigation, including in-depth interviews, drug screening, medical examination, and polygraph examination.

A degree, at least three years of experience in law enforcement or a related area, or an equivalent combination of education and experience are required to become a Secret Service special agent.

The Secret Service is looking for smart, upstanding citizens who will give a favorable representation of the U.S. government. The agency looks for people with strong ethics, morals, and virtues, and then they teach them how to be special agents.

Special agents also need dedication, which can be demonstrated through a candidate's grade point average in high school and college. Applicants must have a drug-free background. Even experimental drug use can be a reason to dismiss an applicant from the hiring process. Special agents also need to be confident and honest—with no criminal background.