How to become a forensic scientist
Answer
Most forensic scientists earn a 4-year bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology or forensic science, get hired by a crime lab or police agency and then train on the job, usually for less than a year, before working cases alone. Some crime scene jobs accept an associate degree or police experience.
- Total time
- 4-5 years
- Fastest path: About 2-3 years (associate degree plus on-the-job training, for some crime scene jobs)
- Minimum education
- Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, forensic science or another natural science for most lab jobs; an associate degree is enough for some crime scene technician positions
- Exam or license
- Lab proficiency tests required by crime lab accreditation before and during independent casework
- + 1 more · Not licensed in most states; Texas requires a state license for forensic analysts in several lab disciplines
- Typical cost
- $38.6K–$41.5K
- Tuition and fees before aid
Median pay once qualified: $72,060 a year ($34.65 an hour), BLS OEWS, May 2025. See forensic scientist pay in every state.
Steps to become a forensic scientist
6 steps
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1Take lab science and math in high school
Time: 4 years (high school)Sources 1
Chemistry, biology, physics and as much math as your school offers prepare you for a college science major, which is what most crime labs look for. Statistics is especially useful, because DNA results and other evidence are reported as probabilities. Writing and public speaking matter too: every case ends in a report, and you may have to explain it to a jury. A clean record also matters, since crime labs run background checks.
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2Earn a bachelor's degree in a natural science or forensic science
Time: 4 yearsCost: $38,580-$41,532 tuition at public collegesSources 2, 5, 1
Chemistry and biology degrees are the safest choice for lab work. A forensic science degree also works, especially one accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC), which accredits bachelor's and master's programs. FEPAC accreditation is not required for employment, but more employers prefer it. If you want to be a DNA analyst, FBI standards require at least 9 credit hours of biology- or chemistry-related courses that underpin DNA analysis, plus statistics or population genetics.
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3Get lab or field experience through an internship
Time: One summer or semesterSources 1
Crime lab internships, work in a university research lab, or experience in a medical, environmental or drug testing lab all show employers that you can follow procedures and document your work. Many state and local crime labs and medical examiner offices offer student internships. Some crime scene units also take civilian volunteers or interns. Expect a background check even for internships, because you may handle real case evidence.
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4Apply to crime labs or police agencies
Time: Several months per hiring processSources 1, 6
Most jobs are with city, county and state crime labs, police departments and sheriff's offices, and they are posted through government job sites. Hiring is slow by private-sector standards: a written test or interview panel, followed by an extensive background investigation. Some police departments fill crime scene jobs with sworn officers, which means going through the police academy first. If you plan to work in Texas, check whether your discipline requires a state forensic analyst license.
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5Complete on-the-job training and competency tests
Time: Usually under 1 yearSources 1
New hires train under experienced analysts before handling cases alone. In the lab, training covers the lab's methods for one discipline, such as seized drugs or DNA, and ends with competency and proficiency tests required by the lab's accreditation. Crime scene trainees shadow senior technicians on calls. Most training also includes mock courtroom testimony, since you must be able to defend your methods under cross-examination.
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6Earn a professional certification
Time: After gaining casework experienceCost: $325-$400 per certificationSources 3, 4
Certification is voluntary but helps with promotion and credibility in court. The American Board of Criminalistics offers exams in forensic DNA, seized drug analysis, biological screening and foundational knowledge; its application fee is $75 and the exam sitting fee $250. The International Association for Identification certifies crime scene investigators, crime scene analysts, senior crime scene analysts and latent print examiners, at $300 for members or $400 for nonmembers.
How long it takes to become a forensic scientist
Education options
| Option | Length | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree in chemistry or biology | 4 years | Public and private universities | The most flexible route into lab work, including DNA, toxicology and drug chemistry. Add forensic electives or an internship if your school offers them. |
| Bachelor's degree in forensic science | 4 years | Universities, including FEPAC-accredited programs | Combines chemistry and biology with crime scene, evidence and courtroom coursework. Choose a FEPAC-accredited program with a strong science core. |
| Master's degree in forensic science | About 2 years after a bachelor's | Universities with graduate forensic programs, some FEPAC-accredited | Useful for career changers with a science degree and for people aiming at DNA, supervisory or research roles. |
| Associate degree in crime scene technology or forensic science | About 2 years | Community colleges | Can lead to some crime scene and evidence technician jobs, but most lab positions require a bachelor's degree. |
Programs, tuition and graduates’ earnings
| Field and credential (College Scorecard) | Programs | Tuition, public (in-state, per year) | Tuition, private (per year) | Median federal loan debt | Graduates’ median earnings after 4 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections, bachelor's degree | 979 | $9,645 | $32,412 | $23,000 | $55,378 |
| Chemistry, bachelor's degree | 1,186 | $10,383 | $42,420 | $19,800 | $65,120 |
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (most recent cohorts, released 2026-10-15). Scorecard groups programs by 4-digit field, so a row can include related programs. Tuition is the median published undergraduate tuition and fees of the colleges offering the program (shown only for undergraduate credentials); debt is the median of programs’ median federal loan debt at completion; earnings are the national median for the field and credential four years after completion.
Licensing, exams and certification
Most states do not license forensic scientists. Instead, quality control runs through the crime lab: accredited labs require analysts to pass competency tests before independent casework and regular proficiency tests after that. DNA analysts at labs that take part in the FBI's national DNA database system must also meet the FBI Quality Assurance Standards, which since July 2025 require a degree in a biology, chemistry or forensic science area, at least 9 credit hours of biology- or chemistry-related coursework, and a course in statistics or population genetics.
Texas is the main exception. The Texas Forensic Science Commission requires a forensic analyst or technician license for work in forensic biology, toxicology, seized drugs, materials/trace and firearms/toolmarks. Licensed analysts in Texas must complete 32 hours of continuing forensic education per license cycle, at least 16 of them specific to their discipline.
Voluntary certifications from the American Board of Criminalistics and the International Association for Identification require recertification and ongoing professional development. Check whether your state has any requirement with the CareerOneStop License Finder.
| Exam or credential | Issued by | Required? | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas forensic analyst license (forensic biology, toxicology, seized drugs, materials/trace, firearms/toolmarks)6,8 | Texas Forensic Science Commission | Required | See issuer |
| ABC certification (Forensic DNA, Seized Drug Analysis, Biological Screening, Foundational Knowledge)3 | American Board of Criminalistics | Optional | $75 application plus $250 exam sitting fee; $100 annual maintenance (as of 2026) |
| Crime Scene Investigator, Crime Scene Analyst or Senior Crime Scene Analyst certification4 | International Association for Identification (IAI) | Optional | $300 IAI members, $400 nonmembers (as of 2026) |
| Latent Print Certification4 | International Association for Identification (IAI) | Optional | $300 IAI members, $400 nonmembers (as of 2026) |
Requirements differ by state. Check your state’s rules in the CareerOneStop License Finder (U.S. Department of Labor) before you enroll.
Skills and qualities that matter
- Attention to detail
- A mislabeled sample or a gap in the chain of custody can get evidence thrown out of court.
- Lab technique
- DNA extraction, chromatography and microscopy must be done exactly to the lab's validated method every time, or results will not stand up to review.
- Statistics
- DNA matches and other comparisons are reported as probabilities, and analysts must calculate and explain them correctly.
- Clear writing
- Reports are read by detectives, prosecutors and defense experts, so findings and limits must be stated precisely.
- Courtroom composure
- Analysts testify as expert witnesses and must explain technical results calmly to a jury while being cross-examined.
O*NET 31.0 rates these skills as most important for the occupation: reading comprehension, active listening, writing, speaking, critical thinking.
What it costs and what it pays
Compare careers- Training cost
- $38.6K–$41.5K
- Before financial aid
- Time
- 4-5 years
- Typical path
- Median pay
- $72,060
- All US jobs: $50,980
- Payback once qualified
- 1.8–2.0 yrs
- Pay above the all-jobs median vs. cost
Bachelor's degree tuition only, from College Scorecard medians of published in-state tuition at public colleges. Low: 4 years x $9,645 (criminal justice bachelor's programs) = $38,580. High: 4 years x $10,383 (chemistry bachelor's programs) = $41,532. Not included: fees, books, housing, a master's degree or optional certification fees, such as the American Board of Criminalistics $75 application plus $250 exam sitting fee. Median federal loan debt for these bachelor's graduates is $19,800 to $23,000.
Rough guide only: ignores taxes, aid, interest and earnings given up during training. How we calculate it.
Where the career can lead
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Detective$93,790 median
Requires becoming a sworn police officer through a police academy and then promotion within the department; some crime scene staff take this route.
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Pathologist$312,400 median
Forensic pathologists, who perform autopsies, need medical school, a pathology residency and a forensic pathology fellowship.
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Private investigator$51,220 median
Evidence and investigation experience transfers; most states require a private investigator license.
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Crime lab supervisor or technical leader
Several years of casework, specialty certification and often a master's degree lead to supervising a lab unit.
Can you become a forensic scientist online?
Some coursework can be done online, including general education classes and parts of some forensic science and criminal justice degrees. The core of the training cannot: chemistry and biology lab courses, crime scene practicals and the on-the-job training a crime lab gives new hires all happen in person. Be cautious with fully online forensic science degrees, because most crime labs want hands-on laboratory coursework, and FBI standards require specific science courses for DNA analysts.
FAQ: becoming a forensic scientist
How long does it take to become a forensic scientist?
Usually 4 to 5 years: a 4-year bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology or forensic science, then on-the-job training at a crime lab that typically lasts less than a year before you take cases alone. A master's degree adds about 2 years. Some crime scene technician jobs hire people with an associate degree, which can shorten the path to about 2 to 3 years.
What should I major in to become a forensic scientist?
Chemistry or biology is the safest choice, because crime lab jobs in DNA, toxicology and drug analysis require strong natural science coursework. A forensic science degree also works, especially from a FEPAC-accredited program. Criminal justice degrees suit some crime scene and police roles but usually lack the science courses lab jobs require. For DNA work, take courses such as genetics, molecular biology and biochemistry, plus statistics or population genetics, which FBI standards require.
Do you need to be a police officer to be a CSI?
No, not in most places. Many agencies hire civilian crime scene technicians who are not sworn officers. Some police departments do assign crime scene work to sworn officers or detectives, who must first complete the police academy. Check the job postings in the area where you want to work to see which model local agencies use.
Is it hard to get a job in forensic science?
It can be. The field is small, with about 2,800 openings projected a year nationally, so any one region has few openings. Most jobs are with government labs that hire slowly and run thorough background checks. Candidates with a hard science degree, lab internship experience and willingness to relocate have a clear advantage over those with only a criminal justice degree.
Do forensic scientists need a license?
In most states, no. Quality is controlled through crime lab accreditation and proficiency testing rather than individual licenses. Texas is the exception: it requires forensic analysts in disciplines such as forensic biology, toxicology, seized drugs, trace evidence and firearms to hold a state license from the Texas Forensic Science Commission. Voluntary certifications are available nationwide from the American Board of Criminalistics and the IAI.
Sources for this guide
Checked October 28, 2026
- Forensic Science Technicians, Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · checked October 28, 2026
- FEPAC Frequently Asked Questions and Accreditation Timeline, American Academy of Forensic Sciences · checked October 28, 2026
- Fees, American Board of Criminalistics · checked October 28, 2026
- Application Fees and Crime Scene Certification, International Association for Identification · checked October 28, 2026
- Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories (effective July 1, 2025), Federal Bureau of Investigation · checked October 28, 2026
- Forensic Analyst and Technician Licensing Program, Texas Forensic Science Commission · checked October 28, 2026
- College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education · checked October 28, 2026
- 37 Tex. Admin. Code § 651.207, Forensic Analyst and Forensic Technician Licensing Requirements, Texas Forensic Science Commission (via Cornell LII) · checked October 28, 2026
Sources
Data updated October 28, 2026
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates, released April 30, 2026, SOC 19-4092
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study and institution data, most recent cohorts, released 2026-10-15
- O*NET 31.0 Database (19-4092.00), U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0; tasks rewritten by Careers and Salaries
Careers and Salaries is not affiliated with the Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Found an error? Tell us; corrections are listed on the editorial policy page.