Have you ever watched one of those crime-fighting shows on TV and thought to yourself, "It would be so exciting to be one of those FBI agents. But there's no way I could do that...they really must have to be in great shape!" In all reality, you just might have a better shot at the physical fitness portion of becoming an FBI agent than you thought.

For the first time in over a decade the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is telling their special agents it will be mandatory to pass a physical fitness test made up of four challenges.The fitness challenge includes one minute of push-ups, one minute of sit-ups, a 300-meter sprint and a 1.5 mile run with only a five minute rest between each section of the physical fitness test. The test is scored based on the agent's age and gender.

It was in 1999 that the FBI stopped making the physical fitness test one of the mandatory passing requirements, even though other demanding tests were being required of agents. The reason given for the lack of the physical fitness challenge: the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2011.

After 9-11, a major portion of the FBI's activities switched to fighting terrorism and according to the FBI, that included many long hours of desk time. That meant the importance of fitness became less of a priority.

According to FBI director James B. Cooney, agents will have until October to successfully complete the newly reinstated physical fitness test.  Cooney considers the physical fitness test a priority.

The lives of your colleagues and those you protect may well depend upon your ability to run, fight, and shoot, no matter what job you hold.

The FBI agent physical fitness test is very close to other physical fitness tests for the military and public servants, but specialists such as hostage rescue team members will have stricter requirements.

So do you think you are fit enough to be an FBI agent?  Here are the requirements for the newly reinstated physical fitness test.

 

  • 1

    Sit-ups

    This is a one-minute timed sit-up test.  Participants must do as many sit-ups as they can in one minute with no pauses.  To pass, women must do at least 35 and men must complete at least 38.

  • 2

    Push-ups

    In this un-timed test, participants will do as many push-ups as they can with no breaks.  They must be full push-ups with toes on the floor and participants must lower their body down until the upper arms are parallel to the ground for a rep to count.  Women must complete 14 and men must complete 30.

  • 3

    300-meter sprint

    This is a full-run event on a standard track.  The runners must start in a standing position and to pass, women must complete the run in 64.9 seconds or faster and men must complete it in 53.5 seconds or faster.

  • 4

    1.5 Mile run

    This is the endurance portion of the physical fitness test.  The total length is equal to 6 laps around a standard size track.  The passing time for women is 13:59 and 12:24 for men.

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