Background Checks and Security Clearances

To attain a federal job, you must undergo a basic background investigation of your criminal and credit history. The government wants to ensure you are “reliable, trustworthy, of good conduct and character, and loyal to the United States.” If you are offered a job that requires access to sensitive information, you will most likely need a security clearance as well.

The Background Check

A background check is initiated for all nonsensitive government positions after a candidate receives a tentative job offer. Receiving a final job offer is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. The background check investigates the following:

• Citizenship information  
• Places of residence within the last five years  
• Education  
• Employment record  
• Financial record 
• Military service, if applicable 
• Criminal record and drug use  
• Previous federal background checks performed, or security clearances held 
• Membership in associations or organizations that interfere with U.S. national security  

To accelerate the background check and security clearance process, start early to gather relevant information needed to submit the required forms. The form for a background check is the SF-85 – Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions. 

Once the documentation is submitted, the designated agency proceeds with the investigation.  

Getting a Security Clearance

Many federal agencies require that you have a security clearance, particularly those whose mission relates closely to national security. These agencies can include the CIA, FBI and the State Department. Security clearances are investigated and adjudicated alongside the standard background check mentioned above but have additional questions related to foreign influence and personal character. There are different security clearance levels and certain roles often require higher levels of clearance.

Security clearance investigations focus on the same elements of a background check but also examine: 

• Loyalty to the United States 
• Trustworthiness and honesty 
• Discretion and judgment 
• Blackmail or bribery risks 
• Ability to handle and protect sensitive and classified information 

The type of security clearance investigation depends on the position’s requirements and the level of clearance needed. The process can take months or even up to a year depending on whether more information is needed, the depth of the investigation process and other factors. 

The form for a security clearance investigation is the SF-86 – Questionnaire for National Security 

The agency conducting the clearance process will ultimately issue the security clearance at the conclusion of the investigation. This agency will “own” your clearance until it expires or you transfer agencies. If you transfer to another agency and must keep your clearance, the clearance ownership must also be transferred to the new agency.  

Types of Security Clearances

Positions in the federal government are generally classified in three ways:

Each of these positions requires some form of background investigation. For lower levels of security clearances, these investigations typically rely on automated checks of an applicant’s history.  

According to the Office of Personnel Management, agencies hiring for non–sensitive positions cannot determine suitability alone on an individual’s past marijuana use. However, individuals should be aware that using marijuana is still against federal law and criminal conduct is still considered in an applicant’s suitability for a federal job.

The four main types of security clearances for national security positions are:

As of spring 2026, all security clearances are kept up to date through continuous vetting rather than having each clearance reinvestigated every few years. Under continuous vetting, a clearance holder’s records are automatically checked against public records, such as criminal records or financial records, and if any infractions are found, they are flagged for the agency.  

The Interim Security Clearance 

If a hiring office requests it, you may be granted an interim security clearance within a few weeks after submitting a complete security package. Final clearances usually are processed and adjudicated in less than 90 days.  
 
With an interim clearance, classified work can be performed but in a temporary capacity until a background investigation has been completed. Interim clearances are often required for interns with federal agencies that focus on national security.  
 
If you plan to intern with agencies that require an interim clearance, keep in mind that the interim clearance process may take weeks or months to complete prior to the start of the internship.