Tattoos/Body Art/Branding: Tattoos, brands, and body markings are prohibited on the head, face, neck, tongue, lips, and scalp. Hand tattoos are limited to one ring tattoo on one finger on each hand.
Candidates cannot have used any illegal drug, other than marijuana, within the ten (10) years preceding the date of the application for employment. Additionally, candidates cannot have sold, distributed, manufactured, or transported any illegal drug or controlled substance without legal authorization.
However, the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) website states, “Tattoos will not disqualify you from gaining employment at the CIA, and all professionally-qualified persons are encouraged to apply.”
The Secret Service prohibits visible tattoos, body art, and branding on the head, face, neck, hands, and fingers of its special agents. The FBI prohibits agents having tattoos, brands, and body markings on the head, face, neck, tongue, lips, or scalp.
Tattoos/Body Art/Branding:
Tattoos, brands, and body markings are prohibited on the head, face, neck, tongue, lips, and scalp. Hand tattoos are limited to one ring tattoo on one finger on each hand.
The FBI accepts fewer than 20% of applicants, making jobs within the bureau highly competitive. Applicants typically begin their candidacy through one of the FBI's various entry programs, all of which are tailored to specific FBI career tracks.
Blindspot is an American crime drama television series, created by Martin Gero, about a mysterious, heavily tattooed woman with no recollection of her past or identity. It stars Sullivan Stapleton and Jaimie Alexander. Rob Brown, Audrey Esparza, Ashley Johnson, Ukweli Roach and Marianne Jean-Baptiste co-star.
(6) Tattoos: (a) Tattoos of any kind on the head, face, and exposed areas of the neck must be covered at all times and not visible to the general public. TSA issued and approved items such as turtlenecks or dickies may be used to cover tattoos on the lower neck.
Disqualifying Factors
For example, a misdemeanor, shoplifting incident or DUI may disqualify an individual from a potential position at the CIA. While drug use is discouraged, the occasional use of soft drugs like marijuana prior to employment won't impact one's eligibility.
You can have tattoos almost anywhere on your body, with a few exceptions. There are some limits to the size and number of tattoos on highly visible areas like the hands, neck, and behind the ears. Tattoos in the mouth, ears, or on the eyelids are not allowed. It's possible to get a waiver in some instances.
All special agents begin their career at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, for 20 weeks of intensive training at one of the world's finest law enforcement training facilities. During their time there, trainees live on campus and participate in a variety of training activities.
Warning signs on a background check include multiple periods of unexplained unemployment, inconsistent information, short periods of employment, minimal relevant job experience, no required education or training, professional license issues, dangerous criminal convictions, job-related criminal convictions, bad ...
For many applicants, the FBI special agent physical fitness test (PFT) is, without a doubt, the most challenging part of the process. Our PFT doesn't just test physical fitness. It tests qualities like self-discipline, self-motivation, and the ability to plan and adjust to challenges.
Psychological history: Certain psychological conditions, such as severe anxiety or depression, can disqualify an individual from consideration. The FBI looks for candidates who have demonstrated good mental health and the ability to handle high-stress situations.
Hair must be of reasonable length without faddish or exaggerated style or color. Men's hair must not be longer than the bottom of the collar, without adornment such as buns, ponytails or braids.
The required exercises for the FBI Physical Fitness Test for agents are sit-ups, push-ups, a 300-meter sprint, and a 1.5-mile run. Candidates for the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team are also required to complete pull-ups as part of the test.
Whether hand tattoos would adversely affect your advancement in the federal government is entirely up to whomever is your supervisor. Officially, there isn't a dress code so long as your position isn't in the public eye.
Currently, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects employees and job applicants from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin, but does not yet prohibit discrimination based on tattoos or other forms of body art.
As of Mar 13, 2025, the average annual pay for a Fbi Agent in the United States is $68,989 a year.
Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor's degree or higher from a U.S.-accredited college or university with a minimum 3.0 GPA.