Who becomes CIA agents?

Asked by: Elijah Douglas  |  Last update: August 13, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (44 votes)

Individuals who want to become CIA agents through the Inspector General must: Be United States citizens. Possess a bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Must possess at least three years of criminal investigative experience focused on complex matters.

How does one become a CIA agent?

Minimum Requirements

A U.S. citizen (dual U.S. citizens also eligible) At least 18 years of age. Willing to move to the Washington, DC area. Able to successfully complete security and medical evaluations, including a background investigation, a polygraph interview, and a physical and psychological examination.

What is the highest rank CIA agent?

The CIA is headed by a director and deputy director, only one of whom may be a military officer. The director of central intelligence (DCI) serves as the chief intelligence adviser to the president of the United States.

Does the CIA still hire spies?

The CIA is openly recruiting foreign spies in other countries. Secrecy and security are hallmarks of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), but the organization has now started performing one of its key duties out in the open: recruiting foreign spies.

Do CIA agents get paid well?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $119,500 and as low as $33,500, the majority of Cia Agents salaries currently range between $59,500 (25th percentile) to $90,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $108,000 annually across the United States.

CIA Recruitment Process Unveiled by a Former CIA Operative

26 related questions found

What is the difference between FBI and CIA?

The CIA collects information only regarding foreign countries and their citizens. Unlike the FBI, it is prohibited from collecting information regarding “U.S. Persons,” a term that includes U.S. citizens, resident aliens, legal immigrants, and U.S. corporations, regardless of where they are located.

How long is CIA training?

Individuals must complete the 56-day Criminal Investigation Training Program through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Program as a condition of employment. The CIA training program is an extensive, 18-month, headquarters-based program.

How powerful is CIA?

The CIA serves as the national manager for HUMINT, coordinating activities across the IC. It also carries out covert action at the behest of the president. The CIA exerts foreign political influence through its paramilitary operations units, including its Special Activities Center.

Does CIA accept foreigners?

Candidates need to be over 18 and under 35 years old, though under certain circumstances this upper age limit may be waived. Also, the CIA only accepts applications from U.S. citizens. If you are not yet a U.S. citizen, you must first go through the proper immigration process to obtain U.S. citizenship.

Who is higher than the CIA?

Currently, the Central Intelligence Agency answers directly to the Director of National Intelligence, although the CIA Director may brief the President directly.

Who runs CIA now?

CIA Director John L. Ratcliffe.

Which country has the best secret service?

Here's a look at the top five intelligence agencies in the world.
  • CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) – United States. ...
  • Mossad – Israel. ...
  • MI6 (Secret Intelligence Service) – United Kingdom. ...
  • DGSE (Direction Générale de la Sécurité Extérieure) – France. ...
  • MSS (Ministry of State Security) – China.

What disqualifies you from the CIA?

Recent involvement in criminal or unethical behavior can disqualify you from getting a clearance. This includes pending criminal charges, felony convictions, and a dishonorable discharge. In addition, crimes like illegal downloading of copyrighted material can also be an issue.

Does CIA have an age limit?

There's no maximum age limit for any role at the CIA with the exception of operations officers, which for them is 35. However, even for operations officers, its a case by case basis, and they may take you in the clandestine service beyond that age if you have in demand skill sets.

Can CIA agents tell their family?

Family Gets Only Basic Info

In order to protect sources and methods, and in the interest of maintaining national security, most CIA employees can't discuss their work, even with family.

Who makes more, CIA or FBI?

“ According to Glassdoor.com, a CIA operations officer (case officer) starts at about $84,000 per year. Base salary for a newly hired FBI special agent is about $38,000 per year, although there are various add-ins that raise that by about $20,000 per year. So, a new case officer at the CIA would make more money.

Are CIA agents trained to fight?

Toward the end of their time at the Farm, CIA recruits mix in weapons qualifications and urban combat. “Glock and M4,” Fox said. “Training in urban-combat scenarios, the faux city blocks, stocked with dummies - some legitimate targets, most dressed as local men, women, or children. Hit a civilian and we're out.

Which is the most powerful agency in the world?

Top 10 Intelligence Agencies in the World, Some from Asia
  • List of the Best Intelligence Agencies in the World.
  • 1 Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
  • 2 The Ministry of State Security (MSS)
  • 3 SVR RF and FSB.
  • 4 Mossad.
  • 5 The Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)
  • 6 Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)
  • 7 MI6.

Is CIA hard to join?

Becoming a CIA agent is challenging, but not impossible. According to a former CIA operative, breaking into a career in the CIA is notoriously difficult. However, if you are a U.S. citizen and meet all the required qualifications and background checks, you are eligible to apply for a job with the CIA.

How long should I study for CIA?

Understand how much time you need to commit to your studies.

Our expert CIA instructors recommend that CIA candidates allocate at least 40 hours for Part 1 studies, 40 hours for Part 2, and 50 hours for Part 3. Your study time will vary based on your experience, reading speed and study preferences.

Can CIA make arrests?

The CIA Does Not Generally Arrest Suspects – It may come as a surprise to most people but the Central Intelligence Agency has no law enforcement power. The agency's primary function is as a foreign intelligence gathering and analyzing entity. As such, it does not carry out arrests, particularly in a domestic capacity.

What is higher than FBI?

Within the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI is responsible to the attorney general, and it reports its findings to U.S. Attorneys across the country. The FBI's intelligence activities are overseen by the Director of National Intelligence.