Government Jobs and Tattoos?

Ive searched the internet a countless number of times, failing to stumble across any information on the requirments of having tattoos and working for the government. I am currently a college student who is hopefully on the right track of persuing a job within the government.

I will hopefully work within the FBI, CIA, ATF but i dont have a clue on the regualtions of tattoos. I currently have one on my upper back which is not visible when i have a shirt on and i am thinking about getting another one that will be easily coverible with a shirt as well. If anyone knows any information about tattoo requirments and a government job such as the FBI, CIA, or ATF it would be greatly appreciated.

Links to sites that you may have came acrossed would be nice as well. Thanks again!

I was told that a tattoo is an identifiction mark so you will not get hired within the three agencies that i stated. Both tattoos can be covered with a short sleeve shirt. Any help on this topic is greatly appreciated!

The FBI has always been image conscious, I wouldn't brag about tattoos to them when applying.

Most agencies do not have anything specific about tattoos, usually they just want you to be presentable looking and professional.

My stepson works as a registered nurse. He has a large, colorful tattoo that starts at the middle of the back shoulder area, crosses over the left shoulder to the left side of his chest and down the left arm to his wrist. He applied and got a RN position at a prestigious hospital. He always wore a long sleeve uniform smock and no one knew about the tattoo. Then, at a off duty picnic, he showed up in a tank top. He told me his Nurse Manager almost fainted when she saw the tattoo.

Some folks regard the tattoo in a pretty negative light. It may not effect your getting hired but it might hold you back on promotions down the road.

In 35 years as a federal government employee, I never heard the subject brought up. I also never came across an employee who had any tattoos except a few who had small ones they got while in the military.

The policy for FBI and ATF is that it may not be obsene, ie. no nude women or profanity, and you must be able to cover it completely with a t-shirt and shorts. It is slightly different with the CIA. Depending on the position, it can have the same restrictions as the FBI & ATF, or possibly forbid tattoos all together, although that is mainly for clandestine and undercover field agents.