see also: in The Application Process:   Basic Qualifications and Medical Requirements for Border Patrol Agents on cbp.gov:   CBP Border Patrol Entrance Examination Preparation Manual (pdf - 463 KB.)   Sample Test for the Entry-Level U.S. Border Patrol Logical Reasoning Test (pdf - 169 KB.) Border Patrol Agent Online Application Border Patrol Study Guides on the web:   Border Patrol Agent Online Application   USA Test Manager

The Border Patrol Agent Hiring Process

(10/07/2008)Step 1

Apply by Internet - You must register for the written test for the Border Patrol Agent position during the open period. You must register for the written test online. ( Border Patrol Agent Online Application ) The website address is available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week during the open period. Based on your responses to the questions, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will determine if you meet the basic qualifications for the BPA position. If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be scheduled for the written test.

Step 2

Schedule the Written Test - Scheduling of the written test is done during the on-line registration process. As soon as you have registered and been scheduled for the written test, you will be able to print your test admission notice which will contain the date, location, and time for the written test. You will be given a UserID and password after you have successfully registered for the written test. If you need to reprint your test admission notice, print a study guide, or reschedule yourself into another test session you will need to go to ( USA Test Manager ) , log in using your UserID and password, click on "Border Patrol Agent" (listed below "Application") and select the appropriate choice (Contact Information or Study Guide or Reschedule My Exam), to obtain this information and print it. Additionally, for those who forgot their UserID/password, they would need to go to ( USA Test Manager ) and click on "forgot UserID and password".

We believe that proper test preparation is essential for the successful candidate and suggest that you take time to carefully read the study guide. If you want to get started, you may download the guide from our website. ( Border Patrol Study Guides )

Prepare for the Written Test
We suggest that you review the study guides before taking the test.

• Preparation Manual for the U.S. Border Patrol Test – This manual will familiarize you with the U.S. Border Patrol Logical Reasoning Test, the Spanish Language Proficiency Test, and the Artificial Language Test (ALT), and will give you a chance to study sample questions and explanations for the correct answers to each question. ( CBP Border Patrol Entrance Examination Preparation Manual (pdf - 463 KB.) )
• Sample Test for the Entry-Level U.S. Border Patrol Logical Reasoning Test – This diagnostic assessment will help you prepare for the Logical Reasoning Test (LRT) by identifying your strengths and weaknesses on several of the components of the LRT. ( Sample Test for the Entry-Level U.S. Border Patrol Logical Reasoning Test (pdf - 169 KB.) )

Compressed/Expedited Testing

For those of you who register to take the written test at a compressed testing location, CBP, in cooperation with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), will be utilizing a special process that will require approximately 8 hours of your time on the day of the test.

Compressed testing will be conducted in Tucson, Arizona; Moreno Valley, California; Holtville, California; San Diego, California; Denver, Colorado; Orlando, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Buffalo, New York; New York, New York; San Antonio, Texas; El Paso, Texas; McAllen, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; Detroit, Michigan; Dallas, Texas; Houston, Texas; Phoenix, Arizona and Bellevue, Washington. The initial step in the process is the test itself. After completing the test, a Border Patrol Agent will present an orientation session about the Agent position. You will be given a copy of your test results (Notice of Results). If you successfully pass the written exam, you will be given a packet of forms to complete and mail to the Minneapolis Hiring Center as well as a date (within four weeks of the examination) for an Oral Board Interview.

For those of you who register to take the written test at an expedited testing location, CBP, in cooperation with OPM, will also be utilizing the same process that will require 8 hours of your time on the first day and will also include an orientation session with a Border Patrol Agent. However, if you successfully pass the test, you will be given the time, date and location of when you are required to return to complete your fitness/medical tests and oral board interview, which is approximately 31 days from the date you took your written test.

Step 3

Selection Process - Selection Process. In cooperation with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), some test locations have been identified as a test location where the applicant will receive their Notice of Results (NOR) immediately. The locations identified will require the applicant to spend approximately 8 hours of their time on the day of the test. Those locations are: Tucson, Arizona; Ontario, California; Holtville, California; San Diego, California; Denver, Colorado; Orlando, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Buffalo, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; San Antonio, Texas; El Paso, Texas; Pharr (Rio Grande Valley), Texas; Chicago, Illinois; Detroit, Michigan; Dallas, Texas; Houston, Texas; Phoenix, Arizona; Bellevue, Washington; San Juan, Puerto Rico.

If you successfully pass the written exam, you will be given a tentative selection packet of forms to complete. Depending on the test location you may also be immediately scheduled for the Oral Board Interview to occur within the following 2 weeks or scheduled for your Oral Board interview to take place in approximately 6 weeks.

Nationwide Testing - Selection from the Nationwide Testing process is done once a month. Approximately two (2) weeks after you take the written test you will receive your Notice of Results (NOR) in the mail informing you of whether or not you passed the written test. If you successfully pass the test, you will receive a tentative selection packet about 6 weeks from the date you passed your written test. After you receive your tentative selection packet you will be scheduled for your fitness/medical tests and oral board interview. This usually takes place within four weeks of receiving your tentative selection packet.

Compressed Testing - Selection from the Compressed Testing process is done every two weeks. You will be given your Notice of Results (NOR) the same day that you take the written exam. If you successfully pass the written exam you will be given a tentative selection packet at that time and scheduled for an oral board interview. Within four weeks you will be scheduled for your medical and fitness tests.

Expedited Testing - Selection from the Expedited Testing process is done every two weeks. You will be given your Notice of Results (NOR) the same day that you take the written exam. If you successfully pass the written exam you will be given a tentative selection packet at that time and informed of when you will be required to return to complete your fitness/medical tests and oral board interview, which is approximately 31 days from the date you took your written test.

The tentative selection packet contains information that you will need to submit to the Minneapolis Hiring Center by the required date and includes instructions on how to complete each form. The packet includes information about the oral board interview, fitness/medical tests, vision requirements, drug testing, and the background investigation.

Step 4

Structured Oral Interview - Structured Oral Interview. The Oral Board is a structured interview given by three Border Patrol Agents. The interview consists of situational questions that do not require technical knowledge. The structured interview assesses a candidate's judgment/decision making, emotional maturity, interpersonal skills, and cooperativeness/sensitivity to the needs of others. These qualities are key to successful performance as a Border Patrol Agent. The oral board is a pass/fail interview. Candidates must receive a "pass" in all areas in order to continue in the hiring process.

Pre-Employment Process - In addition to completing Step 4, you must also undergo a drug test, medical examination, fitness test, and background investigation. These will be scheduled and completed as soon as possible.

Step 5

Pre-Employment Process - In addition to completing Step 4, you must also undergo a drug test, medical examination, fitness test, and background investigation. These will be scheduled and completed as soon as possible.

Starting Work

If you successfully complete these steps; your name will be placed in the pipeline for a position as vacancies become available in your preferred geographic location and you will receive a firm offer of employment. If you are tentatively selected for a position and you decline the offer, you must contact the Minneapolis Hiring Center at Deu.BPA.nhc@dhs.gov to request that your test score be reactivated to receive further consideration for positions. However, there are no guarantees that you will receive an additional offer of employment.