Employment - Internship Programs

All applicants to the FBI, including PMIs, go through several stages before entering on duty. Each individual case is unique due to the background investigation process. In general, the PMI hiring process has five basic stages:

Interviews and initial selection. Each section hiring PMIs will handle the interview and selection process slightly differently. Some may have informal interviews with the Unit Chief or Supervisor, while others may convene formal panel interviews. You should ask the point of contact for the positions you are interested in to find out how they are going to select PMI candidates.
Application. Those who pass the initial interview phase will be selected to submit an application to the FBI. At this stage you should fill out this application as completely as possible and return it to your point of contact. The sooner you return your application, the sooner the background investigation will be initiated.
Initial background screening. After your application has been received and processed, you are eligible to receive a conditional offer of employment by the FBI, which is contingent upon successful completion of a full-fledged background investigation. At this point you will be scheduled for a pre-employment polygraph, urinalysis test and fingerprinting.
Background investigation. Investigators will contact former and current employers, references, social acquaintances and neighbors, and they will review school, credit, arrest, medical and military records.
Enter on duty. Upon successful completion of the background investigation, you will be extended a formal offer of employment (or "appointment") and assigned an enter-on-duty (EOD) date. On your EOD, you will report for two days of employment processing and orientation before reporting to your assigned unit.

Once appointed, all FBI employees, including PMIs, have a probation period. For PMIs, this period is for the duration of the PMI program. After 2 years, PMIs are eligible for conversion to career employment status. It should be noted that all FBI employees must be U.S. citizens.