How to Become an NCIS Special Agent: The Ultimate Guide

So you want to become a Special Agent for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS)? As a fan of the hit TV show, I’ve always been fascinated by the work of NCIS agents Their jobs seem exciting yet challenging as they investigate crimes involving the US Navy and Marine Corps

If you also aspire to become an NCIS agent, you’re at the right place. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process from basic eligibility requirements to training at Quantico. By the end, you’ll know exactly what it takes to land your dream job with NCIS.

Overview of NCIS

Before we dive into the specifics, let’s do a quick overview of what NCIS is and what they do.

NCIS is a federal law enforcement agency under the Department of the Navy. Their main mission is to investigate major criminal offenses like terrorism, espionage, and cyber crimes involving the US Navy and Marine Corps.

NCIS special agents are responsible for:

• Investigating crimes such as murder, sexual assault, fraud, terrorism, cyber hacking.

• Conducting surveillance and undercover operations.

• Collecting evidence and interviewing suspects and witnesses.

• Preparing investigative reports and testifying in court.

• Providing protective services for the US Navy, including the Navy Presidential Protective Division.

Unlike other federal agencies, NCIS grants a lot of responsibility to even entry-level agents. You’ll get to work on critical cases right away instead of being relegated to paperwork.

Now let’s look at how to become an NCIS special agent.

NCIS Special Agent Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the NCIS special agent position, you must meet these basic requirements:

• US citizen

• Between 21 and 36 years old

• Bachelor’s degree

• Valid driver’s license

• Vision correctable to 20/20

• Ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance

• No felony convictions

• Meet all physical requirements

The upper age limit for NCIS agents is 37. This allows you to serve the mandatory 20 years to qualify for retirement benefits.

Some key physical requirements include passing fitness tests and having decent hearing and mobility in your limbs. Agents must also be emotionally and mentally stable per NCIS standards.

Your whole medical history will be evaluated, so be upfront about any conditions or disabilities from the start. Reasonable accommodations can be made for disabled applicants.

How to Apply to Be an NCIS Agent

NCIS posts special agent job openings on USAJobs.gov rather than their own site.

To apply, you must submit:

• Resume

• College transcripts

• Any applicable SF-50 and DD-214 forms

The job posting will list any other required documents to include with your application package. I recommend creating a USAJobs account to get notified whenever new NCIS postings are listed.

NCIS Special Agent Hiring Process

The NCIS hiring process is highly competitive, lasting 6-9 months with multiple stages:

1. Initial Application Screening

NCIS reviews all applications for completeness and minimum qualifications. Qualified applicants are moved to the next phase.

2. Entrance Exam

This written test evaluates your logical reasoning, analytical ability, and judgment skills. A high score helps advance you.

3. Interview

Applicants are interviewed by a panel to assess their motivation, background, communication skills, and overall suitability for the position.

4. Medical Examination

You must be examined by an NCIS physician and meet physical requirements for the role. Certain conditions may disqualify you.

5. Polygraph Test

The polygraph assesses your truthfulness and screens for any issues that haven’t surfaced yet. Lying or failures can remove you from consideration.

6. Background Investigation

NCIS conducts extensive checks into your employment history, finances, education, activities, etc. Any red flags can end your chances.

If you make it through the full hiring process, you’ll be offered a conditional job offer pending completion of training.

Training at FLETC

After accepting the job offer, new NCIS agents spend around 16 weeks training full-time at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) in Georgia.

The training curriculum covers:

• Criminal law and procedures

• Investigations techniques

• Defensive tactics and firearms

• High-speed driving

• Emergency medicine

• Courtroom testimony

You must pass written and practical exams in all areas to graduate from the program. Failure to complete the training results in job termination.

Field Training at NCIS Academy

NCIS Academy in Quantico, Virginia

Following the FLETC program, NCIS agents continue their training for 8 more weeks at the NCIS Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Here they receive advanced instruction on:

• NCIS policies and systems

• Investigative techniques and forensics

• Tactical training

• Report writing

• Courtroom procedures

You’ll get lots of hands-on practice through realistic field exercises as well. The goal is to get new agents job-ready before their first assignment.

Getting Your First Assignment

Once training wraps up, it’s time for your initial field office assignment. Due to staffing needs, you likely won’t get your preferred location. The two most common first postings are:

• NCIS Resident Unit – Investigates major criminal cases affecting the naval community. Over 140 units across the US and worldwide.

• Afloat Unit – Serves aboard Navy vessels to handle criminal issues at sea.

Be prepared to relocate across the country or overseas for your first assignment. Mobility is required as an NCIS agent over the course of your career.

Career Growth and Progression

As an NCIS special agent, you can progress into these supervisory and leadership roles:

• Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) – Manages a team of 4-6 agents and reports to the Assistant Special Agent in Charge.

• Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) – Oversees all operations and personnel at a specific field office.

• Special Agent in Charge (SAC) – Heads an entire field office and liaises with local law enforcement.

• Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) – Assists in managing 1 of 8 national divisions at NCIS headquarters.

• Assistant Director (AD) – Runs an entire operational branch within NCIS worldwide.

Advancement is based on performance, ability, and experience. You can also complete advanced training to gain expertise as a polygraph examiner, forensic scientist, or cyber crimes specialist.

NCIS Agent Salary and Benefits

The starting salary for NCIS special agents at the GL-7 grade level is $49,508 per year as of 2022. You can earn up to $69,764 annually at the GL-12 level.

Agents also receive locality pay based on their assigned location and availability pay amounting to an extra 25% of base salary.

Other excellent benefits include:

• 10 paid holidays per year

• Paid vacation and sick leave

• Health, vision, and dental insurance

• Life insurance options

• 401(k) matching

• Flexible work schedules

• Prestigious federal law enforcement service

Becoming an NCIS special agent is very competitive, but also rewarding. If you meet all the qualifications and make it through the challenging hiring process, you’ll get to enjoy an adventurous career serving your country and protecting the brave men and women of the US Navy and Marine Corps.