Education · 1 of 4
The path
There is no license. There is a narrow door, and most people come through police work first.
- 1
High school
Grade 12
Keep your record clean. A full background investigation will look at all of it.
- 2
Get the experience or the degree
2 to 6 years
Either a year as a full-time sworn officer making arrests, serving warrants or moving prisoners, or a master's or law degree in a related field.
- 3
Apply the day it opens
A few months
Postings close after a set number of applications. Then an online test, a fitness screening, a structured interview and a tentative offer.
- 4
Background, medical and drug test
Several months
A full background investigation for a Top Secret clearance, then a final offer.
- 5
Training in Glynco, Georgia
About 5 months
A short pre-course, the 59-day federal investigator program, then 39 days of marshal training.