Secret Service Hiring Process: SAEE, SUPER Interview, APAT, and Phase II

The U.S. Secret Service hiring process is divided into Phase I (Competency) and Phase II (Security). Phase I covers your USAJOBS application, the SAEE or UDEE written exam, the 20-point Applicant Physical Abilities Test (APAT), the SUPER Interview, and a conditional job offer. According to the U.S. Secret Service application process page, Phase II includes a security interview, polygraph, medical exam, and a full background investigation that typically takes about 6 to 9 months to complete.

Last checked Nov 3, 2026.

Phase I and Phase II: Special Agent vs. Uniformed Division

As of November 2026, the U.S. Secret Service divides its entry-level hiring process into Phase I and Phase II for both Special Agent and Uniformed Division Officer applicants. You can apply for both positions at the same time on USAJOBS. Because positions may have unique application procedures, follow the specific instructions in your vacancy announcement.

The main difference between the two official application pages is where the Hiring Panel Review sits and how the exams are named. On the Special Agent page, the hiring panel review happens in Phase I right before your conditional job offer, and Phase II lists a medical and physiological examination. On the Uniformed Division page, the conditional job offer comes right after the Phase I interview, Phase II lists a medical and psychological examination, and the Hiring Panel Review is the final step of Phase II.

To prepare early for the structured interview step in Phase I, you can Start a Secret Service mock interview on Ten-Four and practice answering law enforcement behavioral questions out loud.

Basic Qualifications, Age Limits, Vision, and Tattoo Rules

Every requirement below comes from the Secret Service Special Agent FAQ and Uniformed Division Qualifications pages. You must meet the vision and age rules at the time you apply, be in excellent health and physical condition, and be able to carry and use a firearm (maintaining firearm proficiency is mandatory on the Uniformed Division track).

• Citizenship and license: U.S. citizenship and a current valid driver's license are required for both tracks.
• Special Agent age limits: At least 21 years old at application and under 40 at referral, with exceptions for current or prior service in federal law enforcement positions covered by special retirement provisions.
• Uniformed Division age limits: At least 20 years old at application, 21 at appointment, and under 40 at referral (with the same federal law enforcement retirement exception). Applicants claiming Veterans' Preference must be at least 21 at the time of application and younger than 40 at referral.
• Education and grade levels: Special Agent applicants qualify at the GL-07, GL-09, or GS-11 level through education, experience, or a combination of both (no positive college degree requirement). Uniformed Division officers enter at the LE-01 grade level with a starting salary of $73,502 and must have at least a high school diploma or certificate of equivalency.
• Vision standards: Uncorrected vision no worse than 20/100 binocular, correctable to 20/20 in each eye, plus sufficient color vision to pass the required color vision test on the Uniformed Division track. Acceptable corrective surgeries are LASIK, PRK, ALK, and RK, provided visual tests are passed after mandatory waiting periods: 2 months after LASIK, 6 months after PRK, and 1 year after ALK or RK.
• Hearing standards: Hearing loss measured by an audiometer must not exceed 25 decibels in either ear (in the 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz ranges and hearing a whispered voice at 15 feet with each ear without a hearing aid on the Uniformed Division track).
• Body markings and tattoos: Visible body markings (tattoos, body art, and branding) are prohibited on the head, face, neck, hand, and fingers (any area below the wrist bone). The Uniformed Division qualifications page notes one exception: a single conservative and unobtrusive ring tattoo on one finger. Prohibited visible markings must be medically removed at your own expense prior to entering on duty.
• Selective Service and domestic violence: You must certify registration with the Selective Service System or exemption if born after December 31, 1959. On the Uniformed Division track, a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence conviction makes you ineligible unless pardoned, expunged, or set aside.

Phase I: USAJOBS Application, SAEE or UDEE, SUPER Interview

Phase I begins with an electronic application through a Job Opportunity Announcement on USAJOBS. If you cannot submit your application online, call the Talent and Employee Acquisition Management Division at (202) 406-5271, or TTY (202) 406-5390 for hearing-impaired assistance, prior to the announcement closing date.

After your resume clears the qualifications review, you take the written entrance exam at a Pearson VUE testing center or an Accelerated Candidate Event. Special Agent applicants take the Special Agent Entrance Exam (SAEE). Uniformed Division applicants take the Uniformed Division Entrance Exam (UDEE, also listed as the Uniformed Division Examination Exam). The Secret Service publishes preparation guides for both exams on its website. If you fail the SAEE or the UDEE, you must wait 3 months before reapplying.

After passing the written exam and the APAT fitness test, you advance to the Phase I interview, which is named the SUPER Interview on the Secret Service FAQ and Accelerated Candidate Event (ACE) pages. If you fail the SUPER Interview, both the Special Agent and Uniformed Division FAQ pages state that you can reapply in 3 months. The ACE page states the agency seeks driven individuals who embody integrity, discipline, teamwork, and dedication to mission, alongside its core values of Duty, Justice, Courage, Honesty, and Loyalty. You can prepare by reading our guides on what an oral board interview is, how oral boards are scored, and our oral board preparation plan. After the interview, your file moves to the Hiring Panel Review and Conditional Job Offer.

Applicant Physical Abilities Test (APAT) Standards and Scoring Table

The Applicant Physical Abilities Test (APAT) evaluates muscular and dynamic strength, endurance, flexibility, and aerobic capacity across four events: Push-Ups, Sit-Ups, the Illinois Agility Run, and the 1.5-Mile Run. Each event is scored from 0 to 8 points. To pass the APAT, you must earn a minimum cumulative score of 20 points with no zeros on any event.

To avoid a zero, you must complete at least 15 push-ups, 23 sit-ups, an Illinois Agility Run of 23.88 seconds or faster, and a 1.5-mile run of 19:40 or faster.

Worked scoring example (calculated by our team from the official APAT table): An applicant who completes 27 push-ups (5 points), 37 sit-ups (5 points), a 20.60-second Illinois Agility Run (4 points), and a 13:07 1.5-mile run (6 points) has no zeros and reaches the 20-point minimum required to pass.

Phase II: Security Interview, Polygraph, Medical, and Background Timeline

Phase II determines whether you qualify for a Top Secret security clearance and meet all medical and suitability standards. Even if you already hold an active security clearance from another federal agency, the Secret Service is required to conduct its own background investigation. Both the Special Agent and Uniformed Division FAQ pages state that the OPM adjudication process has no specific time frame and is lengthy.

• Security interview and credit checks: In-depth interviews and a review of your credit history.
• Polygraph examination: Mandatory for both Special Agent and Uniformed Division tracks.
• Medical and physiological or psychological examination: Full medical exam, vision and hearing verification, urinalysis drug screening, and either a physiological examination (Special Agent page) or psychological examination (Uniformed Division page).
• Background investigation: A full background investigation typically takes about 6 to 9 months to complete, depending on your history. Investigators verify your employment history, police records, credit history, school transcripts, neighborhood references, driving record, and military records.

Accelerated Candidate Event (ACE) and Pre-Application Checklist

The Secret Service runs voluntary multi-day surge events called Accelerated Candidate Events (ACE) in Leesburg, Virginia (such as the November 13 to November 17, 2026 event, also listed as November 14 to November 17, 2026 on the ACE page). Applying through the ACE links lets you be considered for Special Agent, Counter Assault Team, HAMMER, STAR, Uniformed Division Officer, Uniformed Division Emergency Response Team, Uniformed Division Counter Sniper, or Uniformed Division Canine Explosives Detection Team tracks. Attendance is voluntary, and you may elect to continue processing through your local Field Office (FO) instead.

ACE compresses your Entrance Exam, APAT, SUPER Interview, Factor V assessments, Security Interview, Medical Examination, and Polygraph into 1 to 4 days (including your travel day) and cuts your time to hire by up to 120 days. A typical ACE schedule allocates 1 day for testing, 1 day for the APAT, SUPER Interview, and Factor V Assessments (completed on the same day), and 1 day for the Medical Exam. If you already completed a phase at your Field Office, you report to ACE for the next available phase. If you pass the Entrance Exam at Pearson VUE, you may report to ACE for the APAT phase on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday only.

You travel to ACE the day before your first scheduled assessment after receiving a confirmation email from HUM. If you have not received your e-App, check your spam folder and still report as scheduled. The Secret Service schedules flights (sending E-tickets about 36 hours before travel) and provides lodging and meals at the National Conference Center (NCC) at no upfront cost. If you switch from flying to driving, email ACESUPPORT@usss.dhs.gov. Airport taxi or rideshare expenses to the NCC are reimbursable if you return the forms to ACEInvitational@usss.dhs.gov within 10 days, while outside hotels or meals are at your own expense. Direct ACE questions to (202) 406-6664. Use our team's checklist before applying:

• Check your ID: Bring a Real ID-compliant driver's license or a valid U.S. passport to participate in ACE.
• Verify eye surgery wait times: Confirm at least 2 months since LASIK, 6 months since PRK, or 1 year since ALK or RK before applying.
• Audit visible body markings: Check your head, face, neck, hands, and fingers (below the wrist bone) and schedule medical removal prior to entering on duty if needed.
• Run a self-timed APAT trial: Confirm you hit 20 points with no zeros across push-ups, sit-ups, the Illinois Agility Run, and the 1.5-mile run.
• Prepare active-duty military paperwork: Apply no more than 1 year from terminal leave or end of service, use a Statement of Service in lieu of a DD214, or submit current military orders to place your application on hold if deployed.
• Gather background records: Pull school transcripts, employment dates, credit history, and neighborhood references early.

Salary Rules, Training Length, and Military Policies

Starting salaries are based on experience, education, or both combined, and cannot be negotiated on either track. Under the Uniformed Division Modernization Act of 2010, Uniformed Division Officer applicants may be considered for Special Need Pay-Setting Authority above the minimum basic pay rate if they completed a certified state, local, federal, or military law enforcement training program (Army or Marine Military Police, Navy Master of Arms, Air Force Security Forces, or Coast Guard Maritime Enforcement) and served more than 18 months in a law enforcement capacity. State, local, and federal officers must be currently working in that role, while military applicants may be current or former military law enforcement officers (with an Honorable Discharge if separated).

Newly appointed federal employees (under 5 CFR 575.102) in Special Agent and Uniformed Division positions, excluding STAR positions, may qualify for recruitment incentives paid in installments. Current federal employees are not eligible, while former federal employees may be eligible. Active-duty military applicants can also serve as an active drilling reservist or National Guard member while employed. You can compare how federal steps differ from local agencies in our guide to the police hiring process and practice decision-making with our police scenario questions.

On average, once you receive a final offer, you will need to report for training about 2 to 4 weeks after that. Special Agent applicants can list up to 3 field office location preferences, are assigned based on agency need and current location, and may be required to relocate. Uniformed Division officers are appointed under an excepted appointment limited to 3 years and 120 days (before conversion to career status or separation) and complete 13 weeks of training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia or Artesia, New Mexico, followed by 16 weeks at the James J. Rowley Training Center in Laurel, Maryland. Failing training on the first attempt may result in separation.

During training, students take two fitness assessments conducted by certified FLETC fitness coordinators and recorded on form SSF 4425: the Preliminary Fitness Assessment in week 1, and the Secret Service FLETC Fitness Assessment about 4 weeks before graduating FLETC. On the FLETC assessment, students must score at least 6 points and at least 1 point in 3 of the 4 core fitness elements, or their scores may be referred to the Student Review Board (SRB).

SUPER Interview Practice Question and Example Answer

Practice question in this style (written by our team, aligned with the Secret Service core values of Duty, Justice, Courage, Honesty, and Loyalty): Tell us about a time when you had to uphold a strict rule or policy under pressure, even when taking a shortcut would have been easier for your team.

Example answer (written by Ten-Four as a model, not from a real candidate): While working as a shift supervisor at a medical supply warehouse, our night crew was behind schedule on loading an urgent hospital shipment. During my final inspection, I noticed several pallets of temperature-sensitive diagnostic kits had been staged outside the cold-storage zone for too long, which exceeded our strict safety limit. My lead loader asked me to sign the manifest anyway because the boxes still felt cold and re-pulling the stock would delay the driver. I refused to sign off on the pallets. I told the driver we needed extra time, quarantined the warm stock, and worked alongside the loaders to pull fresh kits from the freezer and verify every lot number. I then logged the delay and explained the temperature breach to my operations manager the next morning. The hospital received verified supplies late rather than compromised kits on time, and we updated our staging checklist so cold stock was always loaded last.

Why this works: This answer states the exact rule that was tested, shows personal accountability under time pressure without blaming coworkers, explains the concrete steps taken to fix the problem, and closes with a clear result.

Practice this out loud. Ten-Four is AI oral board practice: its panel asks you Secret Service interview questions out loud and follows up on what you missed. You get a 1 to 5 score with the points you made and missed, and a dated plan up to your interview. 7 days free. Start a Secret Service mock interview

FAQ

Can I apply for both Special Agent and Uniformed Division Officer at the same time?

Yes. Both the Special Agent and Uniformed Division FAQ pages confirm that an applicant can apply for both positions simultaneously on USAJOBS.

How long do I have to wait if I fail the SAEE, UDEE, or SUPER Interview?

If you fail the Special Agent Entrance Exam (SAEE), the Uniformed Division Entrance Exam (UDEE), or the SUPER Interview, you must wait 3 months before reapplying.

What score do I need to pass the Secret Service APAT fitness test?

The Applicant Physical Abilities Test (APAT) grades push-ups, sit-ups, the Illinois Agility Run, and the 1.5-mile run from 0 to 8 points each. You must achieve a minimum cumulative score of 20 points with no zeros on any event.

How long does the Secret Service background investigation take?

According to the Secret Service application process pages, the timeframe varies based on the applicant's history, but a full background investigation typically takes about 6 to 9 months to complete.

Do I need a college degree to become a Secret Service Special Agent or Uniformed Division Officer?

No. The Special Agent position does not have a positive education requirement, meaning you can qualify for the GL-07, GL-09, or GS-11 level through experience, education, or a combination of both, while the Uniformed Division LE-01 level requires at minimum a high school diploma or certificate of equivalency.

Does the Secret Service accept an active Top Secret clearance from another agency?

No. The Secret Service ACE FAQ states that the agency is required to conduct its own background investigation even if you currently hold a security clearance from another agency.

Related guides

• What is an oral board interview?
• Oral board scoring
• police hiring process
• Police Scenario Questions
• All guides

Official sources

• U.S. Secret Service: Special Agent Application Process
• U.S. Secret Service: Uniformed Division Officer Application Process
• U.S. Secret Service: FAQs for Special Agent Positions
• U.S. Secret Service: FAQs for Uniformed Division Officer Positions
• U.S. Secret Service: Study Guide & Fitness Standards (APAT)
• U.S. Secret Service: Uniformed Division Qualifications
• U.S. Secret Service: Accelerated Candidate Event (ACE)

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