The United States Department of State has officially announced the opening of recruitment for Diplomatic Security (DS) Special Agents. This career opportunity, published on January 17, 2026, invites qualified American citizens to apply for roles dedicated to protecting US diplomatic personnel, property, and sensitive information across the globe.
What Do Diplomatic Security Special Agents Do?
Diplomatic Security Special Agents are sworn federal law enforcement officers with a critical mandate. Their primary duties include protecting the US Secretary of State, senior government officials, and visiting foreign dignitaries. They also lead investigations into serious crimes such as passport and visa fraud, counter-terrorism threats, and other federal offences.
Agents serve both within the United States and at diplomatic posts overseas. When assigned abroad, they act as Regional Security Officers (RSOs), managing all security operations at US embassies and consulates. The Department of State notes that roughly half of an agent's career is spent in international assignments, often in challenging or high-risk environments.
Strict Eligibility and Application Requirements
The Bureau of Diplomatic Security has outlined a rigorous set of criteria for potential candidates. Applicants must be US citizens aged at least 20 at the time of application and must be appointed before their 37th birthday. A fundamental requirement is a minimum of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
All candidates must successfully pass exhaustive medical and physical readiness evaluations. A comprehensive background check is mandatory, and applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.
The Department emphasises the demanding nature of the job, warning candidates to prepare for life-and-death situations, extensive global travel, and highly irregular working hours.
Intensive Training and Career Path for New Agents
Successful applicants will embark on an approximately seven-month intensive training programme. This training is split between the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Georgia and the Diplomatic Security Training Center.
The curriculum is designed to equip agents with essential skills, including firearms proficiency, defensive tactics, emergency medical procedures, criminal investigation techniques, and protective security operations. Failure at any stage of this training can result in separation from the service.
Typically, newly hired agents are assigned to a domestic field office for their first two years. However, some may receive an overseas deployment sooner based on the operational needs of the Department.
How to Submit Your Application
Prospective agents must apply online, but not through the USAJobs portal. Instead, applications are processed exclusively via Pearson VUE. Interested candidates need to complete an online application, provide a detailed 10-year work history, and register for the Diplomatic Security Special Agent Test (DSSAT).
The Department of State has issued a clear warning that incomplete applications will not be considered. It is the sole responsibility of each candidate to ensure all required documents and information are submitted correctly before the deadline.
To begin the application process, candidates should visit: https://www.pearsonvue.com/us/en/dssat.html. More detailed information about the recruitment process and career expectations is available on the official US Department of State careers website.
The Department describes a career in the Foreign Service as "more than a job – it is a career", calling on individuals committed to public service, the rule of law, and global engagement to apply.
