DEA Qualifications
Education
In order to qualify for DEA employment based on educational qualifications, as opposed to experience, you must have earned a bachelors degree with a GPA of at least 2.95 or have a masters, LL.B., or J.D. degree.
Abilities
The U.S. government lists a number of very specific qualifications for DEA eligibility. To start with, you must be between the ages of 21 and 36, a U.S. citizen with a valid driver's license, and willing to relocate anywhere in the U.S. You must also qualify for top secret security clearance, pass through a background check without raising any red flags, and be in excellent physical condition. Physically, you need have sharp hearing, 20/20 vision in one eye and no worse than 20/40 in the other, normal color vision, be able to carrying 45 pounds or more, and capable of heavy lifting. You can qualify if you wear glasses or contact lenses, but must meet the requirements of 20/200 or better distance vision without assistance and 20/30 or better near vision, with corrective lenses if needed.
Additionally, candidates should have some competency in written and oral communication, decision making and judgment, interpersonal skills, integrity and honesty, flexibility, problem-solving, self-management, teamwork, planning and evaluation, technical applications, and law enforcement.
These qualities will be determined through past experience, a three-part written assessment, oral interview, drug screening, medical examination, physical task assessment, polygraph examination, psychological assessment, and comprehensive background investigation.
Experience
It is possible to qualify for a DEA position without a degree, based solely on your previous experience. Experience in drug related investigations, surveillance, law enforcement, or prosecution may qualify you for DEA candidacy. You can also become eligible by holding a bachelors degree, no minimum GPA, related to the required DEA skill set and at least three years experience one of the following fields: pilot, maritime, accounting, auditing, technology, mechanics, foreign language fluency.
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