Special Agents

SPECIAL AGENTS

Being an NCIS Special Agent is one of the most challenging and fulfilling careers in law enforcement. NCIS Special Agents gain broad law enforcement experience and are given responsibility early on in their careers. Special Agents travel the globe and may even be stationed aboard a ship. In-depth training, critical assignments, and excellent benefits attract the best.

Qualifications/Eligibility Requirements

Must not have reached 37 years of age (exceptions are preference eligible veterans and those currently covered under the 6C Federal Law Enforcement retirement system).
Must be a U.S. born or naturalized U.S. citizen.
Must have a valid driver's license.
Must pass all phases of the hiring process, including a polygraph, medical exam, drug test, and extensive background investigation.
Must have vision correctable to 20/20 with normal color vision.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.
Competitive candidates for the position of Special Agent will have at a minimum a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

* NCIS Special Agents have a mandatory retirement age of 57. In order to achieve the required 20 years of service for retirement, Special Agents must enter on duty no later than the day before their 37th birthday. Applicants are encouraged to apply for the Special Agent position prior to their 36th birthday to allow time to complete the Special Agent hiring process.

View the new Recruitment Guide - Becoming an NCIS special agent

Learn more about NCIS Special Agent Careers:

How to Apply

Vacancy announcements will be posted to official NCIS social media platforms, and announcements may be also found by visiting USAJOBS. When applying for a Special Agent position with NCIS, individuals are required to submit the following documents:
- Current resume
- Official or unofficial college transcript(s) listing degree conferred date and final GPA
- SF-50 (if applicable)
- DD-214, or a Statement of Service (if applicable)

* Please submit all documents in PDF format and avoid using TIFF, JPEG, PNG or BMP.

Interested individuals should review the NCIS Drug Policy prior to applying.
Physical Efficiency Battery

Special Agents are required to successfully pass the Physical Efficiency Battery and score at a minimum 25th percentile in each component area for their age and gender. Please visit FLETC.gov to review the required Physical Efficiency Battery scores for both age and gender.
Required Training

As a condition of employment, Special Agent trainees must successfully complete the Criminal Investigator’s Training Program and Special Agent Basic Training Program aboard the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia. In addition, Special Agent trainees are required to successfully pass the Physical Efficiency Battery and score at a minimum 25th percentile in each component area for their age and gender.
Reasonable Accommodation Request

NCIS provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and/or hiring process, please notify the Equal Employment Opportunity Office by e-mail at NCISEEOContact@ncis.navy.mil. This e-mail address is only for reasonable accommodation requests.

Please do not submit your application and/or any questions unrelated to reasonable accommodations. Any applications sent to the Equal Employment Opportunity Office will not be forwarded for consideration during the hiring process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click on the question to view the answer.

Are NCIS Special Agents entitled to Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP)?
Yes, NCIS Special Agents are eligible for LEAP, which is a type of premium pay for criminal investigators who are required to work, or be available to work substantial amounts of unscheduled overtime based on the needs of the agency. Availability pay is fixed at 25% of a special agent's rate of basic pay.
Are NCIS Special Agents required to attend formalized training?
Yes, all new hires who are not currently GS/GL-1811 special agents must attend the Criminal Investigators Training Program (CITP) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, GA. The NCIS Special Agent Basic Training Program (SABTP) will immediately follow the CITP in Glynco. All special agents newly appointed to NCIS are required to attend the SABTP. The training provides instruction on the NCIS report writing system, manuals, and field training exercises. Additional training in computer forensics, foreign counterintelligence, foreign language, economic crimes, interview and interrogation, hostage negotiation, forensics and/or management are available throughout the agent's career.
Are NCIS Special Agents required to enlist in the U.S. Navy?
No, NCIS is a civilian law enforcement agency which is primarily staffed by GS/GL-1811s (Criminal Investigators).
Do NCIS Special Agents carry firearms?
Yes, NCIS Special Agents are required to carry firearms and periodically qualify with their service weapon. Firearm instruction is included in the basic agent training program.
Does having a disability automatically disqualify me from becoming a Special Agent?
Special Agents are subject to medical standards. As defined by the Office of Personnel Management, Special Agent duties require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing, use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather. Manual dexterity with comparatively free motion of finger, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, and knee joints is required. Arms, hands, legs, and feet must be sufficiently intact and functioning in order that applicants may perform the duties satisfactorily. Sufficiently good vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required to perform the duties satisfactorily. Near vision, corrective lenses permitted, must be sufficient to read printed material the size of typewritten characters. Hearing loss, as measured by an audiometer, must not exceed 35 decibels at 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz levels. Since Special Agent duties are exacting and responsible, and involve activities under trying conditions, applicants must possess emotional and mental stability. Any physical condition that would cause the applicant to be a hazard to himself/herself, or others is disqualifying. Special agent applicants will undergo a pre-employment medical examination by a Federal Medical Officer selected by NCIS. Special agent applicants are required to fully disclose all physical and psychological medical history to the designated Federal medical officer.
Does NCIS require a background check?
Yes, as a condition of employment, applicants are required to pass an extensive NCIS employment suitability investigation during the hiring process. This investigation includes a urinalysis test for illegal drug use, credit and records checks, in-depth interviews with former and current colleagues, neighbors, friends, professors, etc. and employment and educational verifications. In addition, a personnel security investigation is required of all newly appointed special agents in order to obtain a Top Secret Security Clearance.
How is your first duty assignment decided?
While applicant preferences are taken into consideration, newly appointed special agents are assigned to one of NCIS' offices based on current staffing levels and/or critical specialty needs.
How long does the Special Agent application process take?
The hiring process can take six to nine months. In rare cases, the hiring process can extend past nine months.
Is a bachelor’s degree a requirement to apply?
The ideal candidate for the position of Special Agent will have at a minimum a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university, as well as at least three years' work experience in law enforcement, criminal investigations, and intelligence-related fields. Applicants with recognized certifications in these fields will be considered highly competitive.
Is prior military or law enforcement experience a prerequisite?
No, prior military and/or law enforcement experience is not a prerequisite for employment. NCIS has a very competitive hiring posture and is continuously seeking applicants who possess a combination of education and experience.
What is NCIS' approach to diversity?
NCIS is committed to being a leader in supporting and valuing diversity of our workforce and the people, organizations and communities we serve and support worldwide. Valuing diversity means recognizing and respecting our differences and similarities.
What is NCIS' investigative jurisdiction?
Within the Department of the Navy (DON), NCIS has primary responsibility for investigating actual, suspected, or alleged major criminal offenses (those punishable by more than one year's confinement). NCIS also has exclusive investigative jurisdiction within the DON for actual, potential or suspected acts of espionage, terrorism, sabotage, assassination, or defection by naval personnel. NCIS does not investigate purely military offenses- that is, acts that are criminal offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) solely because of the military status of the offender (for example, desertion or UCMJ violations involving consensual sexual activities). NCIS supports Navy and Marine Corps requirements around the globe, with an agent assigned to every aircraft carrier and "big-deck" amphibious vessel that goes to sea. NCIS Special Agents are authorized by law to conduct arrests of military members and civilians alike, both on and off military installations.
What is the NCIS transfer policy?
While applicant's preferences are taken into consideration, transfers are based on the needs of the agency. Transfers are driven to a great extent by overseas rotations. Whenever possible, management and non-management vacancies will be announced and volunteers solicited. First priority will be to fill vacancies with qualified volunteers.