ATF Agent Career – How to Become an ATF Agent

ATF (alcohol, tobacco, firearms) agents work closely with other agencies in the local, state, and federal departments. A career as an ATF agent is similar to that of a police officer. Like them, ATF agents obtain and serve warrants, collect evidence, conduct raids, investigate crime scenes, and even testify in trials. A career as an ATF agent is said to be fulfilling and exciting, but can be very dangerous as well.

ATF Agent Job Duties

The job of an ATF agent includes the regulation on the possession and abuse of alcohol, tobacco and firearms in the US. Other ATF agent duties include conducting raids in places such as homes and businesses where there is suspicion of illegal products, uncovering illegal transactions of illegal products, conducting surveillance, applying for search warrants, conducting searches, managing suspects and witnesses, and working with other law enforcement officers such as lawyers and the local police. In order to successfully perform their jobs, ATF agents must be level-headed and good critical thinkers.

ATF Agent Education and Training

If you want to become an ATF agent, you must be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years old. You must pass a physical and written test, plus background and drug screening.

You will need to graduate with a 4-year degree from a college or university. There is no specific degree required to become an ATF agent but Bachelors in Criminal Justice and a Masters in Criminal Justice is highly preferred and will immediately show your interest in the field. Trainings to become an agent may require at least a year in a graduate program. This will depend on the position you are applying for. A Criminal Justice degree may include useful courses such as criminology, criminal justice technology, history of the US justice system, juvenile justice, corrections criminal law, and social psychology depending on your area of concentration.

ATF Agent Job Prospects

Once you become hired to become an ATF agent, you will undergo a series of law enforcement training programs. You will spend 9 weeks in Glynco, Georgia where you will be trained in arresting techniques, surveillance, firearms and other skills. You will also spend 13 weeks at FLETC where you will be trained on bomb scene investigations, explosives, and other areas.

The number of those who become ATF agents may slightly grow over the next 5 years but most of the vacancies will open up due to retirements.

Salary levels range will vary for ATF agents. They will depend on their rank and work experience. New ATF agents may start at $25,000 per year but can progress to the $50,000 range after a few years.

Criminal Justice Career & Salary Resources

Here are some additional resources for criminal justice careers and salaries.

Looking for the right criminal justice degree to become an atf agent?

Not Sure Which Criminal Justice Degree is Right for You?

Use our criminal justice resources guides to help

Popular Online Degrees

non profit mba – becoming a secret service agent – history of coca cola company – northwestern university medical informatics -  should i take the sat or act – nursing administration education – mba sustainability – mba advertising career – university of florida school of pharmacy – leadership degree online – online masters educational leadership – pharmacy doctorate – kentucky universities – bachelor certificate degree – master of business – i became a teacher – nurse clinicals – inclusion education – online clinical nurse specialist – virtual human skeleton – nursing references – accredited mbas – masters security – accredited degree teaching – online mba healthcare – gmat breakdown – online safety engineering degree – applying for financial aid – art school teacher – real estate bachelor – finance mba jobs – nurse practitioner accredited – special education online degree – occupational safety degree – masters health communication – social work programs online – midwife degrees – master of science management – online masters degrees – bachelor degrees – database management degrees – coaching degree – database management schools – cahiim – bachelor of criminology and criminal justice – online fulbright – medical informatics degree – esl master degree – ranking uic – bachelors in english – universities of florida – literacy degree – business management degrees – degrees of education – management science for health – cis masters degree – degree in ergonomics – masters computer information systems – rn instruction – safety management degree – medical imaging degrees – online master of nursing degree – masters degree in art – uf rankings – university of st mary – athletic administration degree

Leave a Reply


You must be logged in to post a comment.