One of the key backlog mitigation measures was pushing back the timeline for Top Secret Periodic Reinvestigations from five to six years. In addition, many PRs were deferred into the Department of Defense’s Continuous Vetting (CV) program, assuming the SF-86 on file is the most recent version.
If you’re a security clearance holder, it’s a good idea to keep track of your most recent reinvestigation date. But some security clearance holders with a Top Secret security clearance have been asking why they haven’t yet been put in for a PR, even though the five year mark has passed – the answer is because of these backlog mitigation measures. Even security clearance holders with SCI or SAP access may have their security clearance PR deferred due to CV enrollment. The only caveat is that the applicant needs to have the most recent SF-86 on file with the DCSA – that’s not an issue for most TS security clearances.
Some Secret security clearance holders may have completed an older version of the SF-86, and need to submit a more recent version of the form before they can be enrolled into CV. That’s why it’s important to make sure you pay attention to any requests for information you receive from your Facility Security Officer. If they need updated paperwork from you, it’s important that you provide it.
Will Periodic Reinvestigations Go Away?
Many assume that with the implementation of CV, the PR process is going away. Although the future of PRs will likely look different, right now the policy behind episodic PRs is still on the books. Unless an investigation is deferred into the CV program, a traditional PR still may occur. With DCSA set for full enrollment into its CV program; however, the stage is set for a policy overhaul that may change the cadence for how and when PRs occur.
