Minimum Requirements

The minimum basic requirements to become a U.S. Border Patrol Agent include the following:

• The ability to lawfully carry a firearm. This means no convictions for domestic violence, felony or misdeanor.

• You must be under 40 years of age, there are exceptions for those with veterans’ preference or who have previously served in a federal law enforcement capacity.

• At least 21 years of age.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.

• Resided in the U.S. for at least three out of the last five years

• Selective Service Registered for Males born after 12/31/1959

• Possess a valid driver’s license.

Qualifications for Starting Pay Grades

Most new Border Patrol Agents get hired at either a GL-5 Grade Level, or the GL-7.

There are three ways to qualify for the GL-5. The first way is with experience. The federal government uses a system where in order to qualify at a specific GL level, your must has one year of experience at the next lowest level.

The next way to qualify for a GL-5 is with your education. A bachelors degree in any area of study will qualify, or completion of 4 full academic years, and field of study. It does not need to be in criminal justice, law enforcement, etc. Anything will do.

The last way to qualify is with a combination of education and experience. There is a formula for determining what that combination of education and experience looks like.

For the GL-7 requirements, you add on 1 full year of graduate level study in an area of study related to law enforcement. However, many qualify as a GL-7 using the “Superior Academic Achievement” clause which involved with honor society membership, grade-point average, or class ranking. If you were a good student in college, for example a “B” average in your major, you may qualify.

Spanish is NOT Required

The ability to Speak Spanish is NOT a requirement to be hired as a U.S. Border Patrol Agent. At the Academy, students will be divided up based upon their Spanish speaking abilities, include those with no Spanish speaking ability.

During your approximately 6-months at the academy, you will undergo extensive Spanish training. By the time you graduate, you will be proficient at speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish at a level which will allow you to perform your duties.

Rather than the ability to Spanish, you must have the ability to learn Spanish. This is a very general description and just means that need to be able to learn what you will be taught with regards to Spanish lessons at the Academy. This is NOT an requirement that you will be tested on or evaluated.

Law Enforcement Knowledge Requirements or Proficiencies

To be hired as a U.S. Border Patrol Agent, you do NOT have to have any knowledge regarding criminal law nor immigration law.

• You do NOT have to have any law enforcement experience or training.

• You do NOT have to be proficient at using a firearm.

• You do NOT have to have any training in arrest techniques, or any other law enforcement physical tactics.

• You do NOT have to have had any special drivers training.

You will learn all of the above items during your time at the Border Patrol Academy.

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