Become a MUFON Field Investigator

Get going with the process of becoming an MUFON FI

MUFON Field Investigators are the heart and soul of our organization, helping study the latest UFO sightings.


Please follow the 6 steps below to become a MUFON Field Investigator.


1 - Become a member

The first step to become a Field Investigator is to join or renew your membership with MUFON. Only members in good standing may achieve Field Investigator status.

2 - Talk to your State Director

Click on the "Find a chapter" button to the right to obtain contact information for your state or national director. You should call or email your local Director and let him/her know of your interest in becoming a Field Investigator. This will give you a chance to ask questions, and will allow the State Director to get to know you and what skills you will bring to MUFON.  If you have a problem getting in touch with your State Director please contact Steve Hudgeons, Director of Investigations at doi@mufon.com.

3 - Get your copy of the MUFON Field Investigators manual

Purchase a copy of the MUFON Field Investigator's manual. To ensure that only competent investigators conduct witness interviews, on-site investigations, and collateral contacts with public agencies and others, formal Field Investigator training is essential. The MUFON Field Investigator's Manual is the basic reference for training. All trainees must possess an original copy of the manual and become completely familiar with its contents.

4 - Study the FI manual

Study the MUFON Field Investigator Manual or attend a training class conducted by your local chapter (if available). Online training is also available through the MUFON Store. Then complete the open book MUFON Field Investigator's exam online at MUFON University. Complete instructions for accessing the exam are included with the Manual.

Field Investigator Badge Photos

Please use the FI photo uploader to the right and upload a professional color photo of yourself:
  • in a high-quality JPG format
  • at 448 pixels high X 336 pixels wide
  • and at a 300dpi resolution or higher.

Or you may send a color photo by mail to:

MUFON
3822 Campus Drive, Suite 201 Newport Beach, CA 92660. 

(Please include your name and MUFON ID #.)

In order to be promoted to the position of Field Investigator, every member must achieve a score of at least 80% or greater on the MUFON Field Investigator's Exam. The purpose of administering the exam is to evaluate the individual's practical knowledge in respect to both potential UFO and IFO (identifiable flying object) reports from the public. The exam consists of one hundred questions about UFOs and aliens including: light and optics, sound, electromagnetic properties, measurements, physical traces, photography, radio and radar, celestial objects, atmosphere.

Before engaging in an actual investigation the Field Investigator Trainee needs a thorough grounding in the following areas:
° Investigative Ethics: Most importantly, the Trainee must understand and adhere to the tenet of anonymity (withholding witness identifiers from persons who are not part of the UFO report investigation or its evaluation within MUFON.) 

° Interviewing Methods: Preparation, controlling the setting, the sequence of obtaining a complete account, recognizing sensory perceptions, analyzing witness body language, active listening, interpreting the oral account, and drawing conclusions are all vitally important.

° Collateral Contacts: In a given circumstance, the Trainee must be aware of which public officials and/or others to contact in order to potentially resolve the report as a misperception, determine the person's reliability as a witness, or identify others who may have witnessed and reported the same event.

° Technical Background: A working knowledge should be conveyed to the Trainee on the subjects of weather anomalies, astronomy, conventional aircraft (especially lighting configurations), space satellites, photographic equipment and methods, and the soil sciences.

In addition , MUFON will conduct a background check on all FI Applicants. If MUFON determines the background check is not acceptable to MUFON, the Field Investigator designation will not be issued to the applicant.

    FI photo uploader
5 - Complete the New Field Investigator orientation program on MUFON University
​Enroll at MUFON University (MU) and complete the new Field Investigator “Onboarding Plan“. This step by step learning plan will provide you with valuable information about MUFON and ufology as well as provide you with additional insight into policies and procedures, case management, investigative techniques, and much more. There are many other courses available on MU as well which will help with your personal development as a MUFON Certified Field Investigator.

6 - Mentor with a licensed MUFON Field Investigator

Although it is not required, it is highly recommended that once you pass your exam and achieve Field Investigator status that you accompany one of our experienced UFO investigators on one or more field investigations before attempting an investigation on your own. Please contact your MUFON State Director to coordinate mentoring opportunities.