Naval Criminal Investigative Service > Careers > Special Agents

Phase 1: Initial Screening
Applicants must submit all necessary forms (resume, official or unofficial transcripts, a DD-214 for former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, or your military enlistment contract for current members of the U.S. Armed Forces) as instructed in vacancy announcement. (NCIS Special Agent hiring announcements can be found on the NCIS platforms on Facebook and Twitter.)

Applications are screened for eligibility, suitability, desired skillsets, and experience based on the current needs of the agency.

Note: applicants that reside outside the United States should be aware that they must be available for travel to the United States for the interview phase of the applicant process. Travel is at the applicant's expense.
Phase 2: Interview Panel
Once the applicant has successfully completed the Initial Screening Phase, they will be scheduled for the Interview Panel Phase. Interviews are generally scheduled at the nearest NCIS field office location to the applicant given available resources. However, in the event an interview cannot be conducted at the nearest NCIS field office, any required travel to other field office locations is at the applicant's expense.

It is highly recommended applicants review the NCIS website to fully understand the mission of the organization, as well as the requirements for becoming an NCIS Special Agent.

Note: for applicants who traveled a significant distance, NCIS will make every effort to schedule the pre-employment polygraph examination the following day in order to reduce the burden of travel costs on the applicant.
Phase 3: Physical Fitness
1. All Special Agent applicants are required to meet physical fitness standards to effectively conduct law enforcement activities.

2. The following physical fitness standards contained in chart (1) must be met prior to hiring to determine suitability for official training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). Students will still be required to meet FLETC Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) standards at the end of their Special Agent Basic Training (SABT) for successful graduation.

Chart 1

Males under 30

1.5 mile run Sit-ups (1 min) Push-ups (1 min)

14:13 33 38

Males 30 and over

1.5 mile run Sit-ups (1 min) Push-ups (1 min)

14:52 30 30

Females under 30

1.5 mile run Sit-ups (1 min) Push-ups (1 min)

16:33 27 20

Females 30 and over

1.5 mile run Sit-ups (1 min) Push-ups (1 min)

17:14 20 13

3. You must conduct your own physical fitness evaluation and determine that you met the required standards as indicated in chart (1). You will be provided a physical fitness assessment upon arrival at FLETC and any misinformation provided on this form may initiate a suitability review for retention by NCIS.

Applicants who believe they may have a physical or mental impairment may request reasonable accommodation under the Rehabilitation Act.
Phase 4: Polygraph Examination
Upon successful completion of the Interview Panel Phase, applicants will be scheduled for a pre-employment polygraph examination. Applicants must successfully pass the pre-employment polygraph examination. Those who do not successfully complete the polygraph will be removed from the applicant process and are not eligible to reapply for a position with NCIS.
Phase 5: Background Investigation
An extensive background investigation is conducted to ensure that the applicant is reliable, trustworthy, of good conduct and character, and loyal to the United States, i.e., suitable for employment.

The duration of the background investigation varies from applicant to applicant and is based on where the applicant has lived, worked, and traveled, as well as the volume of applicants NCIS is currently processing in a given region.
Phase 6: Medical Examination
A thorough medical examination is conducted to determine if the potential employee is physically able to perform the duties of an NCIS Special Agent. The applicant may have a physical condition or injury that precludes them from performing the physical duties required. Additionally, for applicants with a Veterans Affairs Disability Rating, NCIS will request a copy of their VA Rating Decision Letter, which will be provided to the physician during medical examination.
Phase 7: Drug Test
NCIS is firmly committed to a drug-free society and workplace. The unlawful use of drugs by NCIS employees is not tolerated, and those who apply for employment with NCIS and currently use illegal drugs are considered unsuitable for employment. For more information regarding the NCIS Drug Policy, please select the below link. https://www.ncis.navy.mil/Portals/25/NCIS%20Careers%20Drug%20Policy%20Handout.pdf
Phase 8: Review Board
Following the successful completion of the aforementioned steps of the applicant process, a Review Board will be convened. The board consists of at least three senior-level managers from within NCIS. If the panel agrees the applicant would make a good candidate for a Special Agent position with NCIS, the applicant will be placed into the current hiring pool.
Phase 9: Hiring Pool
Applicants that were successful in the Review Board Phase are placed into the hiring pool. Applicants in the hiring pool are eligible to receive an offer of employment and may be selected for a position as Special Agent. Note: being placed into the hiring pool indicates that an applicant is eligible to receive an offer of employment but does not guarantee an offer will be made. Selections from the hiring pool are highly competitive and are based on the skills, experience, and education from those in the hiring pool at a given time.

Males under 30
1.5 mile run	Sit-ups (1 min)	Push-ups (1 min)
14:13	33	38

Males 30 and over
1.5 mile run	Sit-ups (1 min)	Push-ups (1 min)
14:52	30	30

Females under 30
1.5 mile run	Sit-ups (1 min)	Push-ups (1 min)
16:33	27	20

Females 30 and over
1.5 mile run	Sit-ups (1 min)	Push-ups (1 min)
17:14	20	13