A suitability denial with the FBI means that even if you could technically qualify for a security clearance, the FBI has decided you are not a good fit for employment based on their internal standards for behavior, reliability, and trustworthiness.
One ClearanceJobsBlog subscriber writes:
Hi everyone,
I’m hoping to get some advice regarding my situation.
I recently received an email from the FBI stating that I was no longer being considered for employment due to not meeting their suitability standards. The letter specifically said this was not a denial of a security clearance. I was previously in adjudication for this position since March.
Separately, I have already accepted another federal offer that requires a Secret clearance. I’m wondering:
• Is my current clearance adjudication still proceeding despite the FBI suitability denial?
• Will the FBI’s suitability finding impact my Secret clearance process for the new position?For context, I believe the suitability denial may have been due to an honest mistake on my SF-86 (I initially omitted some previous employment but corrected it later). I have also submitted a FOIA request to get more clarity.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated—especially if anyone has gone through something similar.
Thank you!
Impact of Suitability on the FBI Hiring Process
This applicant’s time in the FBI hiring process has come to a halt. Their clearance will not be fully adjudicated.
Suitability reviews are different from security clearance adjudications. While a clearance looks at your ability to protect classified information, suitability evaluates your overall character, judgment, and conduct in ways that reflect on the agency itself. For the FBI, which holds especially high standards of integrity and public trust, the DNI states “A suitability investigation is an inquiry into a person’s identifiable character traits and conduct sufficient to decide whether an individual’s employment or continued employment would or would not protect the integrity or promote the efficiency of the service.”
Suitability issues could include things like financial irresponsibility, unreported drug use, criminal conduct (even without conviction), lack of candor during the investigation process, or a general pattern of rule-breaking, to name a few.
Suitability Does Not Equal Security Clearance
Important: Being denied for suitability is not the same as being denied a security clearance. You could be denied a job at the FBI but still qualify for clearance work with another agency or contractor.
An FBI suitability denial doesn’t necessarily end your cleared career possibilities — but it can close the door on FBI-specific opportunities for the time being, unless you resolve the issues and reapply later.
This question was posed from a subscriber at ClearanceJobsBlog.com, where you can read and discuss government security clearance process, how to get a security clearance job, and background investigations issues.
Much about the clearance process resembles the Pirate’s Code: “more what you’d call guidelines than actual rules.” This case-by-case system is meant to consider the whole person, increase process security, and allow the lowest-risk/highest-need candidates to complete the process. This article is intended as general information only and should not be construed as legal advice. Consult an attorney regarding your specific situation.
