FBI Agents Graduated from National Academy
In September 2026, Tim Swanson and Bianca Pearson became the first special agents to complete the FBI National Academy.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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In September 2026, Tim Swanson and Bianca Pearson marked a milestone by becoming the first special agents to graduate from the FBI National Academy. They completed the competitive 10-week program during National Academy Session 299.
Why it matters
This graduation represents a shift in the FBI National Academy, which has operated for more than 91 years and traditionally served law enforcement partners rather than internal special agents.
The FBI National Academy program requires a 10-week commitment at the Quantico training campus and entails a competitive application process reviewed by an internal selection board. Participants must secure approval from the board to be considered for the session.
The players
Tim Swanson
He is one of the first two FBI special agents to graduate from the FBI National Academy.
Bianca Pearson
She is one of the first two FBI special agents to graduate from the FBI National Academy.
FBI National Academy
This training institution located in Quantico provides leadership and academic instruction to law enforcement professionals.
The details
The curriculum for Session 299 focused on leadership training, graduate-level academic coursework, and rigorous fitness activities. The FBI Training Division has stated an intent to encourage additional field-level leaders to pursue future sessions of the academy.
Timeline
Tim Swanson and Bianca Pearson graduated the program in September 2026.
Legal Context
For more than 91 years, the FBI National Academy has operated as a professional development hub primarily for external law enforcement partners. The inclusion of special agents marks a significant shift in internal training accessibility and leadership development protocols.
This internal policy change signals a shift in how federal agents are trained for leadership roles in field offices. Residents in areas served by offices like those in Pittsburgh, Charlotte, Asheville, and Hickory may see future leadership utilizing this enhanced training.
The takeaway
The opening of this program to special agents aims to standardize leadership training across the FBI field divisions. Future applicants will likely need to navigate the same competitive application process and internal board approval that the first two graduates completed.
Further reading
Learn more about the training standards within Law Enforcement.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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