(Rev. 06-01-2009)
Non-Sensitive Designation
Positions in which the individual will have access to non-sensitive information that involves mostly low risk, non-sensitive, and non-national security program responsibilities.
| Sensitivity Level* | Type of Clearance | Type of Investigation |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 - Non-Sensitive | Suitability Determination | NACI Use SF 85, Questionnaire for Non-sensitive Positions |
National Security Designations
Positions in which the individual will have access to classified information (Confidential, Secret, Top Secret) or other restricted information relating to national security.
| Sensitivity Level* | Type of Clearance | Type of Investigation |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 - Classified | Confidential or Secret | LBI Use SF 86, Questionnaire for National Security Positions |
| Level 3 - Classified | Top Secret | SSBI Use SF 86, Questionnaire for National Security Positions |
| Level 4 - Classified | Special Access | SSBI Use SF 86, Questionnaire for National Security Positions |
Public Trust Designations
Positions in which the individual’s actions or inactions could diminish public confidence in the integrity, efficiency, or effectiveness of assigned Government activities, whether or not actual damage occurs, and Positions in which the individual is being entrusted with control over information which the Government has legal or contractual obligations not to divulge.
| Sensitivity Level* | Type of Clearance | Type of Investigation |
|---|---|---|
| Level 5 - Sensitive (Moderate Risk) | Suitability Determination | MBI or LBI Use SF 85P, Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions |
| Level 6 - Sensitive (High Risk) | Suitability Determination | BI Use SF 85P, Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions |
*Note: The Sensitivity Levels above should include a "C" designation (i.e., Level 1C, Level 2C, etc.) for Computer-ADP positions [reference Office of Personnel Management: Requesting OPM Personnel Investigations, IS-15 (May 2001)].
Types of Investigations:
- National Agency Check (NAC) – an integral part of all background investigations, consisting of searches of the OPM Security/Suitability Investigations Index (SII), the Defense Clearance and Investigations Index (DCII), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Identification Division's name and fingerprint files, and other files or indices when necessary.
- National Agency Check and Inquiries (NACI) – the basic and minimum investigation required on all new Federal employees consisting of a NAC with written inquiries and searches of records covering specific areas of an individual's background during the past five years (inquiries sent to current and past employers, schools attended, references, and local law enforcement authorities).
- NACI and Credit (NACIC) – this NACI includes the addition of a credit record search.
- Access NACI (ANACI) – initial investigation for those who will need access to classified national security information at the "confidential" or "secret" level. The ANACI includes a NACI and credit coverage with additional local law enforcement agency checks.
- Child Care NACI (CNACI) – an enhanced NACI designed to meet special investigation requirements for those who are in child care provider positions. This investigation includes a search of records of criminal history repositories of the state where the subject resides.
- NAC with Local Agency Check and Credit (NACLC) – an ANACI without the written inquiries to past employers, schools attended, etc. It is designed as the initial investigation for contractors at the Confidential and Secret national security access levels.
- Minimum Background Investigation (MBI) – this investigation includes a NACIC, a face-to-face personal interview between the investigator and the subject, and telephone inquiries to selected employers.
- Limited Background Investigation (LBI) – this investigation includes a NACIC, personal subject interview, and personal interviews by an investigator of subject's background during the most recent three years.
- Background Investigation (BI) – this is a more in-depth version of the LBI since the personal investigation coverage is the most recent five to seven years. This investigation is required of those going into "high risk" public trust positions.
- Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) – a government-wide investigation required of those who need access to Top Secret classified national security information. This investigation covers the past seven years of the individual's activities. It includes a verification of citizenship and date and place of birth, as well as national records checks on the individual's spouse or cohabitant, interviews with selected references and former spouses.
- SSBI Periodic Reinvestigation (SSBI-PR) – the required five-year update investigation for those who have Top Secret security clearances. It consists of personal investigative coverage of employments and residences since the previous investigation, including interviews with all former spouses divorced during the coverage period. A search of the U.S. Treasury Department's financial data base is also included.