security
clearance
Q: What kind of inquiries
will the FBI make into my background?
A: Credit and criminal history
checks will be conducted on all applicants. For a Top Secret security
clearance, the background investigation includes additional record
checks which can verify citizenship for the applicant and family members,
verification of birth, education, employment history, and military
history. Additionally, interviews will be conducted of persons who
know the candidate, and of any spouse divorced within the past ten
years. Additional interviews will be conducted, as needed, to resolve
any inconsistencies. Residences will be confirmed, neighbors interviewed,
and public records queried for information about bankruptcies, divorces,
and criminal or civil litigation. The background investigation may
be expanded if an applicant has resided abroad, or has a history of
mental disorders, or drug or alcohol abuse. A personal interview will
be conducted of the candidate.
Q: If I have a poor credit
history, or other issues in my background, will this prevent me from
getting a security clearance?
A: A poor credit history,
or other issues, will not necessarily disqualify a candidate from
receiving a clearance, but resolution of the issues will likely take
additional time. If the issues are significant, they may prevent a
clearance from being approved.
Q: If I choose not to apply
for a security clearance, will I still be informed about counterterrorism
issues important to my jurisdiction?
A: Absolutely. If
the FBI receives information relevant to terrorism which may impact
your jurisdiction, you will be informed by your local Field Office,
through the Law Enforcement On-Line network, via NLETS, and through
other available mechanisms which are approved for the transmission
of unclassified information. Most terrorism-related information can
be provided in an unclassified form.