Washington, D.C. — The FBI is ending its blanket policy automatically disqualifying job applicants who have previously paid for sex, allowing some cases to be evaluated individually under revised hiring standards.
Under guidance issued this spring, applicants will still be rejected if they engaged in prostitution within the previous 10 years, did so three or more times, or participated while holding a position of trust such as public safety employment. Other applicants may now receive further consideration depending on the circumstances.
The FBI said the change is intended to account for unusual situations, including military personnel who encountered legal prostitution overseas or applicants who experienced sexual abuse. The bureau stressed that criminal sexual conduct remains disqualifying and said its background checks continue to include interviews, financial reviews and polygraph examinations.
The shift comes as the FBI and Justice Department seek to replenish personnel following retirements, resignations and dismissals. Some current and former agents have questioned whether recruitment standards are being relaxed too far.
Retired FBI agent Daniel Brunner told the Associated Press that the revised policy could indicate difficulty attracting qualified applicants. Other former officials said context matters, particularly when questionable behavior occurred many years earlier.
The FBI previously relaxed restrictions involving past marijuana use and has expanded pathways for other federal law-enforcement personnel to become agents.
Sources
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