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The Daily Insight

What is the Border Patrol structured interview?

Author

Sarah Cherry

Updated on March 05, 2026

The structured interview (SI) is given to candidates who have applied for entry-level BPA positions. The SI will be administered face-to-face, meaning you will be interviewed in person. You will be interviewed by three interviewers who will ask you a series questions that are designed to measure specific competencies.

Simply so, what is the CBP structured interview?

The structured interview (SI) is given to candidates who have applied for entry-level CBPO positions after April 2016. The SI will be administered face-to-face, meaning you will be interviewed in person; however, it will be videotaped for documentation purposes.

Secondly, what is a pre security interview? The purpose of the pre-security interview function is to collect CBP applicant information and oral or written responses to questions prior to the applicant being scheduled for a CBP polygraph, which is required for certain CBP positions. The pre-security interview is a required step in the pre-employment process.

Simply so, how long is the hiring process for border patrol?

CBP's current average time to hire for Officers and Agents is 300 days. The Fast Track Hiring Process is aimed at reducing the time to hire to 120 days or less. In the past, CBP has struggled meeting its CBPO and BPA hiring goals.

Is the CBP test hard?

Exam not is not hard. You will be in GA at the federal academy running around like your back in boot camp again lol.

Related Question Answers

How much do CBP officers make an hour?

US Customs and Border Protection Salaries
Job Title Salary
CBP Officer salaries - 4 salaries reported $25/hr
CBP Technician salaries - 2 salaries reported $18/hr
Intern salaries - 2 salaries reported $15/hr
Automotive Technician salaries - 2 salaries reported $31/hr

What questions do US immigration Ask at airport?

Here are five common questions every traveler should always plan on being asked by a customs officer upon arrival.
  • 01 of 05. What Is the Purpose of Your Trip?
  • 02 of 05. How Long Do You Intend to Stay?
  • 03 of 05. Where Will You Be Staying?
  • 04 of 05. What Is Your Occupation?
  • 05 of 05. Do You Have Anything to Declare?

What should I wear to a CBP structured interview?

Although there are no absolute dress attire requirements when taking the SI, we can tell you that you will be meeting with 1-3 supervisory/managerial CBP Officers during the SI. The SI will be in a professional office environment where employees are either in uniform or professional attire.

How are structured interviews scored?

A structured interview is a systematic approach to interviewing where you ask the same predetermined questions to all candidates in the same order and you rate them with a standardized scoring system. Without a pre-determined scoring system, your interpretation of the candidate's answer may often be based on intuition.

What are the physical requirements for CBP?

The Customs and Border Protection Officer PFT-1 consists of three components: sit-ups, push-ups and a 12" step test. You must successfully complete each component in order to pass the Customs and Border Protection Officer PFT-1.

What are structured interview questions?

What is a structured interview? Structured interviews are a series of standardized interview questions designed to assess candidates on a range of qualities important to the organization. The questions are provided to hiring managers ahead of time and are administered to all candidates in the same order.

What questions do CBP ask?

Here are five common questions every traveler should always plan on being asked by a customs officer upon arrival.
  • 01 of 05. What Is the Purpose of Your Trip?
  • 02 of 05. How Long Do You Intend to Stay?
  • 03 of 05. Where Will You Be Staying?
  • 04 of 05. What Is Your Occupation?
  • Do You Have Anything to Declare?

What is the hiring process for border patrol?

Border Patrol Agent Application Process
  • Basic Eligibility.
  • Apply.
  • Take the Border Patrol Entrance Exam (GL-9 waiver)
  • Qualifications Review.
  • Background Investigation.
  • Medical Exam.
  • Fitness tests.
  • Structured Interview.

What is the hiring process for CBP?

CBPO Application Process
  • Basic Eligibility.
  • Apply.
  • Take the Entrance Exam (GS-9 waiver)
  • Qualifications Review.
  • Background Investigation.
  • Medical Exam.
  • Fitness tests.
  • Interview.

Why do you want to be a customs officer?

Working as part of a team to protect New Zealand and its people can be interesting and highly rewarding. If you have excellent customer service skills, and enjoy working in a fast paced environment where you welcome people and assist them with queries, you may want to become an Assistant Customs Officer.

What does a CBP officer do?

Customs and Border Protection Officers (CBP officers or CBPOs) work to enforce customs, immigration, and agriculture laws. CBPOs are part of the US Customs and Border Protection agency, which is the largest law enforcement agency within the US Department of Homeland Security.

Will PTSD disqualify me from border patrol?

As a CBP employee, I can tell you that yes, you can. We have many Vets, in fact we just hired a retired top sargent as an asst. director who holds a 70% rating for PTSD. As long as you can pass the other physical requirements and screening processes, it shouldn't be a problem.

How many days a week do Border Patrol agents work?

A Border Patrol Agent is required to work overtime and may work long hours. Sixty-hour weeks and 10 to 16 hour days are not that uncommon. An Agent works irregular rotating shifts every two to four weeks.

How many months is the Border Patrol Academy?

The CBP Border Patrol Academy is a training academy for future agents of the United States Border Patrol. It is located in Artesia, New Mexico. The six-month training program includes driving, concealed carry, immigration law, and Spanish language.

Is it worth being a Border Patrol agent?

Good opportunity to travel and learn new areas of law enforcement. Good work environment. Lots of training opportunities and agents can typically parlay their experience into other areas of law enforcement. Border Patrol is a good way to get your foot in the door for moving to other LEO investigative positions.

Does Border Patrol pay for housing?

Living quarters and meals are provided free at the Border Patrol Academy. You are responsible for your own housing at your duty station. However, a relocation service company is available for candidates who require relocation assistance.

How long does Border Patrol investigation take?

Pre-employment investigative screening (such as the collection and review of fingerprints and the Questionnaire for National Security Positions, the polygraph exam, and the background investigation) can take up to 12 months, or longer.

What happens if I fail the Border Patrol test?

If you fail the polygraph, or lie-detector, test, you can actually still be hired. Your polygraph results will be "adjudicated" with the rest of your background information to determine if you are suitable.

Is Border Patrol hiring right now?

Current Openings. COVID-19 Notification: CBP is still hiring! We are working diligently to bring personnel on board as efficiently as possible. CBP is hiring U.S. Border Patrol agents, CBP Officers, Air Interdiction agents, Marine Interdiction Agents and professional staff.

What skills do you need to be a Border Patrol?

In addition to physical fitness and the knowledge of the field, there are many skills that are helpful for border patrol agents to possess. These include leadership, ethics, investigation, empathy, social awareness, listening, critical thinking, speaking, coordination, and quick decision making.