With the security clearance process continuously changing, and quality information about where you’re at in the process difficult to come by, our ClearanceJobsBlog chatter is constant. A visitor to the ClearanceJobsBlog – an online forum and discussion site for security officers, background investigators, and security cleared professionals – recently asked:
How close is the T4 to the T5 background investigation? T4 being the new SF85P and the SF86. If you completed a T4 6 months ago and now need a T5, will they interview employers and references again?
Per the Federal Investigative Standards (FIS) Crosswalk Guide released last week from the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA):
Some government positions don’t require a security clearance, but do involve access to sensitive information. These positions are deemed positions of public trust. While frequently referred to as public trust security clearances, public trust codifies a level of eligibility to access sensitive information. Individuals applying to public trust positions will fill out an SF-85P.
While the Tier 4 Investigation uses Standard Form 85P, the Tier 5 Investigation for TS/SCI level positions utilizes Standard Form 86.
In short, the Tier 5 Investigation will be much more in depth and your investigation will start from scratch, even if you have a Tier 4 under your belt. Though the investigator may have access to the previous Tier 4 investigation for reference, but in place of.
DCSA guidance continued:
Special Note: Due to the personnel security investigations backlog, DoD extended Tier 3 (10 years) and Tier 5 (six years) reinvestigation with DNI endorsement. Please see the DoD Memorandum “Extension of Periodic Reinvestigation Timelines to Address the Background Investigation Backlog”, Jan 17, 2017 for specific guidance.
