To work as a border patrol agent, you typically need to:

• be a US citizen;
• have a driver's license;
• be under age 37;
• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have a bachelor's degree or a combination of education and experience;
• pass a background investigation;
• pass a medical exam and be in excellent physical shape;
• meet vision and hearing requirements;
• pass a drug test; and
• pass a written test to qualify for consideration as a border patrol agent.

It takes about six to ten months to be hired as a border patrol agent. First, you must register and answer questions about your qualifications. If you meet the minimum requirements, then you must pass a written test. You may need to travel to another city to take this exam. If you pass the written test, you are put on a list where your order is determined by your scores. Depending on your scores, you may be interviewed. If you pass the interview, you're given the medical, vision, and hearing exams and physical fitness tests. The background check is conducted at this stage. If you pass all of these steps, then your name is put on another list and you wait for a job opening.

Education after high school

A bachelor's degree is not required, but it is one way to qualify for this occupation. Your degree can be in any area. However, a degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, police science, or Spanish can be an advantage.

Work experience

Certain types of work experience can help you qualify for this occupation. The border patrol is looking for people who have experience doing one or more of the following:

• taking charge, making sound decisions, and maintaining composure in stressful situations;
• learning law enforcement regulations, methods, and techniques; or
• gathering factual information through questioning, observing, and examining documents and records.

Examples of occupations that might provide these types of experience are journalist, building guard, jail guard, customer relations worker, claims adjuster, or human services worker.

On-the-job training

Border patrol agents spend 55 days in training at the Border Patrol Academy in New Mexico. You are paid for the time you spend at this training. While there, you take courses in immigration, criminal, and nationality law. These courses teach you to recognize what is a violation of law and what actions to take. If you are not fluent in Spanish, you will learn basic conversational Spanish. In addition, you will study Border Patrol Operations. This is a course in police training, with a focus on border patrol issues.

At the academy you will also receive training in three areas. In firearms training you learn to shoot guns safely. Physical training is designed to get your fitness to a desired level. Finally, you will receive drivers training. You learn to operate vehicles safely while driving at a high rate of speed or off road.

You receive additional training on the job after you graduate from the academy.

Military training

A background in the military is good preparation for this occupation. Any military occupation will help you qualify to be a border patrol agent. Being a military law enforcement and security specialist could be an advantage. Some branches of the military train people for these positions. Training lasts from five to 12 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.