Secret Service Special Agents

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, GS-9, and GS-11 grade levels.

You can qualify at the GS-7 level in one of the following ways: obtain a four-year degree from an accredited college or university with superior academic achievement (based on grade-point average, class standing, or honor society membership); have at least one full year of graduate-level education; or have at least one year of specialized experience in, or related to, the protective methods, investigative methods, and law enforcement techniques that provided the specific competencies to successfully perform the position's duties (according to the Secret Service, examples include "the exercising of initiative, attention to detail, and judgment in collecting, assembling and developing facts, evidence or other pertinent data; the ability to analyze and evaluate data or evidence to arrive at sound conclusions including applying new information).

You can qualify at the GS-9 level by having a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree (such as a law degree or two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education, in a related field, leading to such a degree from an accredited college or university. Two other entry options at this level are to have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-07 level OR a combination of specialized experience and related graduate level education, beyond the first full year of graduate level study.

You can qualify at the GS-11 level by having a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-9 level; or a combination of specialized experience and related graduate level education, beyond the first full year of graduate level study.

All newly hired special agents complete 10 weeks of training in the Criminal Investigator Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, and then 18 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.

The Secret Service says that agents "receive continuous advanced training throughout their careers. In part, this training consists of regular firearms requalification and emergency medicine refresher courses. Agents assigned to protective assignments also participate in unique crisis training simulations that present agents with a variety of 'real world'; emergency situations. Agents assigned to offices in the field have the opportunity to acquire advanced training in the area of criminal investigations and are also encouraged to attend training sessions sponsored by other law enforcement agencies."