Careers in Criminal Justice - Becoming a DEA Agent - Training Requirements @ Criminal Justice Careers | Schools


Careers in Criminal Justice - Becoming a DEA Agent - Training Requirements Criminal Justice Careers

As the preeminent law enforcement training organization for national and international drug law enforcement, the mission of the Drug Enforcement Administration's Office of Training is to provide technical and non-technical skills to DEA personnel, as well as appropriate domestic and foreign police agencies. All Office of Training programs are based on maintaining the highest standards of honesty, integrity and trustworthiness - concepts that allow us to sustain and develop a corps of innovative thinkers with the necessary technical and professional competencies to establish and achieve DEA's goals and objectives.



DEA Training Academy

In April 1999 the DEA Training Academy was opened on the Marine Corps Base at Quantico, Virginia. While trainees currently reside and attend class at the DEA Training Academy, facilities for firearms training, physical fitness and defensive tactics training, defensive driving training, and all practical application exercises continue to be held at the FBI Academy. Facilities for these training activities are used jointly by both DEA and FBI.

DEA Agent Training


The Practical Applications Unit (TRDP) provides all surveillance and undercover training for Basic Agent Trainees, Special Agent In-service classes and International Sensitive Investigations Unit students.

All TRDP training utilizes practical exercises to present real-life scenarios that challenge students with realistic and increasingly complex situations designed to reinforce and apply the principles and techniques learned in the classroom.

Basic Agent trainees are taught basic surveillance, undercover operations, prisoner processing, operational planning, report writing, and the use of technical equipment. All practical exercises emphasize the principles of teamwork, leadership, and sound judgment.

TRDP also conducts two in-service courses on Contemporary Issues in the Undercover process and Risk Management. The Contemporary Issues in the Undercover Process course is a three day advanced class that addresses undercover issues with a combination of classroom lectures, tabletop exercises, and practical exercises. The Risk Management Course is given to Special Agents attending Advanced Agent Course, Group Supervisor Institute, and other non-DEA law enforcement counterparts. This course exposes the attendees to the principles of risk management as they apply to undercover operations, search warrants and confidential sources.

DEA Agent Legal Training


The DEA Training Academy provides career training for all Diversion Investigators, which includes oversight leadership for this important and unique program. Diversion training is developed and coordinated by the Diversion Operations Unit at the Office of Training.

Basic Diversion Investigator (BDI) Training

Basic Diversion Investigator (BDI) training is a 12-week school conducted at the Academy. The basic school is divided into three segments: (1) Pre-Registration Investigations, (2) Scheduled Investigations, and (3) Compliance Investigations. BDI training presents a rigorous and demanding curriculum that emphasizes the use of modern software tools, legal instruction, and demanding case studies that build in complexity and scope throughout the course. Emphasis is placed upon pharmaceutical and chemical control, drug scheduling, and drug identification. Students are introduced to distribution operations, auditing techniques, report writing, security issues, and legal considerations. During the program, BDI trainees are required to apply their classroom knowledge in a variety of practical exercises developed for each segment of the training program.

Other Diversion Training Offered

Diversion Chemical Investigations School: This one-week refresher training course consists of instruction detailing Chemical Laws, updates and current trends of chemical diversion. Comprehensive instruction includes Pre-Registration Investigations, Scheduled Investigations, and Complaint Investigations from beginning to end.

Diversion Special Agent School: This one-week school is provided to DEA Special Agents to increase their knowledge of the Diversion Program and to have a better understanding of diversion investigations. Academic instruction includes law and regulations, pharmacology, addiction, introduction to various diversion related databases, and a practical exercise scenario.

Diversion State and Local Training (Quantico): This two-week training course is provided to any state or local official who investigates pharmaceutical drug or chemical diversion cases. Academic instruction and practical exercises will help participants sharpen their knowledge and professional skills for conducting effective diversion investigations.

Diversion State and Local Training (Regional): This one-week training course is designed to assist Divisional Offices in providing training to state or local officials who investigate pharmaceutical drug or chemical diversion cases. Academic instruction and practical exercises will help participants sharpen their knowledge and professional skills for conducting effective diversion investigations.

Advanced Diversion Investigator Training: This seven-day refresher-training course is provided to Diversion Investigators every 24 months. It includes legal updates, report writing, case presentation, computer systems, and Headquarters issues.

Diversion Supervisor In-Service Training: This seven-day refresher training course is provided to Diversion Group Supervisors every 24 months. This course emphasizes leadership, decision-making, executive report writing, and improving management skills.

Becoming a DEA Agent is just one the many career paths you can choose with a degree in criminal justice. Sign up for online criminal justice classes today to take the next step in your path to success.
Return To The Career Guide For Criminal Justice