Confused about whether you held a security clearance or a public trust? You’re not alone. Many government employees—and even senior officials—use the terms interchangeably. But here’s the truth: a public trust is not a security clearance.
A public trust is a type of background investigation used for positions that don’t require access to classified information but still demand a high level of integrity. That includes jobs involving sensitive personal data, like working at the IRS or in healthcare.
If you’ve ever filled out the SF-85P form, that’s a sign you were in a public trust position. But unlike a security clearance, you can’t easily verify a public trust via a Privacy Act request. If you’re unsure whether you held one, reach out to your former agency’s HR or security office—they should have a record.
Although going through a public trust investigation won’t guarantee you a security clearance in the future, it can help. You’ve been through the vetting gauntlet before, which means fewer surprises when it comes to filling out future forms.
Whether you’re cleared or simply trusted, you’re part of an essential, mission-critical workforce, and ClearanceJobs is committed to supporting you.
