Below are the qualifications for the CBP Officer (CBPO) position. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration.
Review the qualifications below for each grade level and then visit our CBP Officer Resume Tips page to help you write your resume.
| GS-5 | GS-7 | GS-9 |
|---|---|---|
CBPO Qualifications for the GS-5 Grade Level:
There are three ways to qualify at the GS-5 grade level: experience, education and/or combination of experience and education.
- Experience: Three years of general work experience that demonstrates the ability to meet and deal with people and the ability to learn and be able to apply what you have learned; OR
- Undergraduate Education: A bachelor's degree or the completion of a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university; or will receive a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university within 9 months from the closing date of the announcement; OR
- Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of successfully completed post-high school education and general work experience. This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application.
CBPO Qualifications for the GS-7 Grade Level:
There are four ways to qualify at the GS-7 grade level: experience, graduate level education (e.g., Master’s degree), Superior Academic Achievement, and/or combination of experience and graduate level education.
- Experience: One year of specialized work experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level that entails performance of duties in inspections work at borders, seaports, airports or other ports of entry and/or work involving preliminary screening of persons for entry and immigration status, or compliance/regulatory work; OR
- Undergraduate Superior Academic Achievement: A bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement, which is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average (i.e., GPA of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0), or (3) honor society membership. Go to Superior Academic Achievement to see if you qualify under this provision; OR
Will receive a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement or one full year of graduate level education in a field of study related to law enforcement (e.g., criminal justice, homeland security, justice studies, law enforcement, courts and judicial systems, forensic technology, forensic psychology, or corrections and rehabilitation) from an accredited college or university within 9 months from the closing date of the announcement; OR - Graduate Level Education: One full year of graduate level education (e.g., Master’s degree) in a field of study related to law enforcement (e.g., criminal justice, homeland security, justice studies, law enforcement, courts and judicial systems, forensic technology, forensic psychology, corrections and rehabilitation) from an accredited or college or university; OR
- Combination of Experience and Education: A combination of specialized work experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level AND graduate level education completed in a field of study related to law enforcement (e.g., criminal justice, homeland security, justice studies, law enforcement, courts and judicial systems, forensic technology, forensic psychology, corrections and rehabilitation) from an accredited college or university . This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application.
CBPO Qualifications for the GS-9 Grade Level:
There are three ways to qualify at the GS-9 grade level: experience, graduate level education (e.g., Master’s degree), and/or combination of experience and graduate level education.
- Experience: One year of specialized work experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level that demonstrates the ability to make rapid, accurate judgments and decisions with respect to the application of the regulations, instructions, and procedures for importing and exporting merchandise to and from the United States, or enforcement and administration of laws relating to the right of persons to enter, reside in, or depart from the United States; OR
- Graduate Level Education: Two full years of graduate level education (e.g., Master’s degree) in a field of study related to law enforcement (e.g., criminal justice, homeland security, justice studies, law enforcement, courts and judicial systems, forensic technology, forensic psychology, corrections and rehabilitation) from an accredited or college or university; OR
Will complete two full years of graduate-level education (e.g., Master’s degree) in a field of study related to law enforcement (e.g., criminal justice, homeland security, justice studies, law enforcement, courts and judicial systems, forensic technology, forensic psychology, or corrections and rehabilitation) from an accredited college or university within 9 months from the closing date of the announcement; OR - Combination of Experience and Education: A combination of specialized work experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level AND graduate level education completed in a field of study related to law enforcement (e.g., criminal justice, homeland security, justice studies, law enforcement, courts and judicial systems, forensic technology, forensic psychology, corrections and rehabilitation) from an accredited college or university. This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application.
Volunteer Service With National Service Programs
National Service Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
