Dear Molly,
What’s the upper age limit for employment at the CIA? Thanks!
~ Ageless
* * * * *
Dear Ageless,
When we do public presentations—such as at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas—this is often the most frequently asked question.
Some federal agencies do have an upper age limit for employment for certain positions; however, CIA does not. There’s no strict age limit for employment; hiring decisions are made based on a review of the whole person.
You can join the CIA right out of high school, since 18 is the minimum age for employment here, but most of our positions require at least a bachelor’s degree. We have several year-round opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.
Our primary requirements for employment are that you must be a U.S. citizen and a high school graduate. As stated earlier, most occupations require an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university. Military experience is highly valued, as are advanced degrees, and life experiences are always taken into consideration. Integrity, character, and patriotism are a must. Fluency in a foreign language is a plus.
Our personnel requirements change from month-to-month as positions are filled and others become available, so if you don’t see the right job for you now, check back again soon.
Good luck!
~ Molly
