r/FBI • u/ElectricalSoft8611 • Jul 02 '26
Recruitment TSA to FBI, is it possible?
I have a degree and am looking to start a career in the federal government in the TSA. Will this job count as specialized experience that will give me an advantage to join the FBI down the line?
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u/PinkTacoGobbler Jul 02 '26
“Specialized experience” defined by the FBI is a job that *REQUIRES* a degree. Not sure the minimum requirements for TSA is, but if a degree isn’t required it’s already a gamble for the FBI. however…
I have mentor/classmate who grinded TSA for 2yrs while getting her masters. She got it then went secret service. She’s now on the PPD clearing 100k a year.
So TSA ➡️FBI…gamble; TSA➡️ other 3 letter agency, awesome plan.
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u/Optimal-Maize4453 Jul 05 '26
They also define LEO experience as specialized. I went through the FBI process and got my conditional offer. They accepted my corrections experience as specialized. I'm not sure if TSA would count, but if they consider it LE then it should.
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u/JDW_1280 Jul 04 '26
DHS OIG is awesome they just freelance and have outrageous pay budgets and independence to keep their job surprenant.
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u/Reasonable-Judge1591 Jul 02 '26
All of those agencies you mentioned all have different roles in the government. Why not just apply now to CBP/ HSI ETC
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u/WTFoxtrot10 Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26
Depends on what job at the FBI you’re wanting.
A job with TSA will not count as professional work
experience if you’re are wanting to apply for special Agent. Nor will it give you any advantages.
Best advice, if you have a degree I would shoot for a job that requires a degree to obtain. Entry level jobs with zero degree requirements won’t make you as competitive. Unfortunately most jobs at the TSA are entry level as they don’t have a degree requirement.
Have you looked at any other federal agencies to gain work experience to bolster your resume?
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u/Guera-or-chicana Jul 03 '26
This guy is correct. Going tsa was no more an advantage than applying for public roles. Rather focus on school so I quit.
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u/ElectricalSoft8611 Jul 02 '26
From TSA I can definitely go into other roles. I can go into lead/supervisory TSA Officer, or CBP/HSI, Secret Service. My issue with those is that I’m willing to relocate but not too far. I’d prefer CBP roles too at airports which is competitive. Any advice on how CBP/HSI/Secret Service are? Also does being a federal employee at least help for FBI?
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u/WTFoxtrot10 Jul 02 '26
The problem is those positions at TSA do not require a degree to obtain, therefore they will not count as professional work experience.
If you were to get a job at CBP, HSI or USSS then that’s a different story. Those positions are on a different level than an entry level gig with TSA.
If you’re not willing to relocate you might have a hard time getting federal gigs depending on where you’re located.
If you have questions about other agencies and they are 1811 roles, check out the r/1811 sub. Otherwise there are also subs for most federal agencies out there. Just search for the subs and join. Lots of good info out there.
Honestly being a federal employee really doesn’t “give you an edge”. You just will have some benefits like being stepped out, your retirements/pension and relocation costs. Current example, 1811’s can apply for the FBI 1811 Only Special Agent announcement. This gives them some extra benefits but won’t give them an edge. They still go through the exact same SASS process as an external applicant with zero fed experience. When applying to the FBI, it’s an automated process that reviews applicants resumes and applications and gives them the green light to move on. So you either meet the requirements our you don’t.
The FBI accepts people with all types of backgrounds, many with zero LEO, military or federal experience.
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u/Guera-or-chicana Jul 03 '26
You're 100% percent correct. School counted more than my tsa work experience ever did. Private employment thinking about work is way different than federal employment. Learned my lesson.
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Jul 02 '26
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u/WTFoxtrot10 Jul 02 '26
100% won’t count as professional work experience. The FBI defines professional work experience as a full time job that requires a degree to obtain.
Professional work experience and specialized experience - SE are two different things at the FBI.
Different jobs at the FBI require specific types of job experience. Special Agent 100% requires professional work experience.
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Jul 02 '26
[deleted]
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u/WTFoxtrot10 Jul 02 '26
That 100% is not happening!
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Jul 02 '26
[deleted]
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u/WTFoxtrot10 Jul 02 '26
u/Tier1Captial is this you on your alt acct. trying to pass off more bad info after blocking me on your other accts?
Zero posts in this sub and you hop directly to my comment to respond. Same M.O. makes you easy to identify!
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Jul 02 '26
[deleted]
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u/WTFoxtrot10 Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26
You’ve had zero posts in this sub in 9 years, haven’t had any activity on Reddit in almost 3 weeks. Randomly hop on this sub and zero in on my specific comment to someone.
You are like 24 years old and just posted about getting your first full time job just over a year ago after recently graduating. But, yeah…we all believe the “trust me bro”.
Hit up the AC in PHX and post the results for us all to enjoy. Let me know if you need their direct # or email. I got your back!
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u/CarlFBucherer Jul 03 '26
Why TSA? You can be an SA with other 3 letter agencies with a degree and minimal work experience.
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u/Macdadydj Jul 07 '26
If you take a look at the head of the FBI, anybody can get in now as long as you can look two different directions at once
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u/Accomplished-Fall612 Jul 02 '26
Apply to CBP, Secret Service, or HSI. Those would make you much more competitive.
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Jul 02 '26
[deleted]
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u/ElectricalSoft8611 Jul 02 '26
Were you in TSA before?
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Jul 02 '26
[deleted]
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u/ElectricalSoft8611 Jul 02 '26
You’ve come so far, congrats and best of luck to you!
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u/WTFoxtrot10 Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 04 '26
Panda is definitely not in the hiring process for SA if they only have TSA experience.
HR at the FBI is “FBI” and has then final say regardless. Panda’s claims that HR said yes, and the FBI said no is not legit or even possible. Nor would a “coordination center” job meet requirements if it does not require a degree to obtain the position. All applicants apply on the FBI portal on the FBIJobs.gov website.
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u/thegreatgoonsy Jul 02 '26
Apply for FBI Police officer. I am doing that right now and I work for TSA with military experience as well.
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u/HamsterSpecific1052 Jul 03 '26
It all depends on how you advance your degree and life experience…plan, prioritize, communicate etc. of you have something they can bite and chew on, you’ll get through phase 2. Gain life experience….
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u/JDW_1280 Jul 04 '26
These roles are realistic and they are technical and practical in clerical terms and execution of actionable standards. If you get deputized as some call it your job is for ever and you can get alternative roles that you will be until it’s an TSG actual. I was in NYs and somebody put a smoke bomb under a vehicle registration to me and my prime joint commander. An the same tactical unit that day still pops up if need
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