Security Forms

The most common security forms pertaining to HSPD-12 DOD CAC Credentialing Adjudications, Suitability and Fitness Determinations and National Security Clearance Eligibilities are listed below. Further down the line in the application process for federal employees, it’s a good sign that you are being selected for a position if you are asked to fill out and submit the OF-306 Declaration for Federal Employment.

SF-85 Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions

The Standard Form (SF) 85 Questionnaire for Non Sensitive Positions, is used to request investigations to support Non Sensitive/Low risk positions. It is also used for “non-designated” positions (those not covered by 5 CFR 731 and 732) requiring only a credentialing determination for access to government facilities or systems. The single investigation appropriate for this level of risk is the “National Agency Check and Inquiries” (NACI).

A Non-Sensitive Low Risk position designation means that the employee is in a low risk position that does not have sensitive duties involving public trust or national security and does not need access to classified national security information (CNSI).  These positions require the minimum level of background investigation be completed, in accordance with HSPD-12 requirements, in order to be eligible for unescorted access to federal facilities and/or IT systems.  The minimum level of investigation is called a National Agency Check with Inquires (NACI) and it entails the completion of a National Agency Check (NAC), law enforcement checks, record searches, inquires of previous/current employment, education, residences, and references.  The form used for this investigation is the SF-85 (Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions).

SF-85P Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions

https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf85p.pdf
https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf85ps.pdf
Government employment requires hiring responsible people for judicious roles such as managing finances, overseeing processes, inspecting compliance, and protecting people and assets, among others. While many government jobs do not require a security clearance, certain sensitive positions—often ones for protection of national security—demand especially knowledgeable and responsible employees. Such positions are designated as “Public Trust Positions.”

Public Trust positions require persons with not only the right job skills, but a high degree of trustworthiness. Agencies determine whether the positions are sensitive or non-sensitive and if non-sensitive, determine the risk level of low, moderate or high. The higher the risk level, the more impacting employee misbehavior can be. Depending on the risk level, the appropriate investigation is initiated.

When the public trust position is outside of sensitive national security considerations (think CONFIDENTIAL, SECRET, TOP SECRET), then they select non-sensitive risk levels of low, moderate and high.

Standard Form (SF) 85P, “Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions: Used to request investigations to support determinations on Moderate or High Risk Public Trust Positions when there are no national security considerations. The investigations that may be requested for these levels of risk are the “Moderate Risk Background Investigation” (MBI) for moderate risk designed positions and the “Background Investigation” (BI) for high risk designated positions. These levels of risk will also use the SF 85P for reinvestigations.

Standard Form (SF) 85P-S, “Supplemental Questionnaire for Selected Positions” is used only as an exception to standards. It contains additional questions regarding drug use, alcohol use, and mental health treatment that may be required for certain specified positions. Agencies with unique position requirements must request approval from OPM-FIS to use this form. If you are uncertain if your agency has the required approval, or whether this form is appropriate for a particular position, contact OPM-FIS at 724-794-5612.

A Public Trust position designation means that the employee is in a moderate or high risk position that does not have duties involving national security or needing access to CNSI, but requires a higher level background investigation due to the position’s other sensitive duties.  These types of positions can vary and are designated based on their specific duties, e.g., security, investigations, fiduciary responsibilities, auditing, government policy or rulemaking, supervisory responsibilities, IT system administrators, and human resources personnel responsible for protecting sensitive information.  A moderate risk position will require a Moderate Background Investigation (MBI) type of investigation while a high risk position will require a Background Investigation (BI).  Both investigations require a personal security interview and the completion of a NAC, law enforcement checks, record searches, inquiries of previous/current employment, education, residences, references and a credit check.  For the BI some of these sources may also be interviewed in person.  The form used for any Public Trust investigation is the SF-85P (Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions).

The following job descriptions are just a few examples of those requiring an OPM investigation and for some obvious reasons:

• Immigrations, customs, borders and port protection agents
• Public safety and health workers
• Federal police officers
• Comptrollers
• Contracts managers

SF-86 Questionnaire for National Security Positions

https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf86.pdf
https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf86c.pdf

A National Security position designation means that the employee is in a low, moderate or high risk position and has a need for eligibility to access classified national security information and/or is in a position whose duties are concerned with the protection of the nation and/or may have a material adverse impact on the national security of the United States.  These types of positions require a national security background investigation.  The term “security clearance” should only be used when referring to a national security position where someone needs eligibility for access to CNSI and the granting of a security clearance is needed.  There are a variety of different types of background investigations  used and it is dependent upon the position risk level and level of access needed, e.g., Secret, Top Secret.  Some examples of initial investigations for national security positions are: ANACI, NACLC, MBI, BI, and SSBI.  Depending on the level of the investigation, they may require a personal security interview, completion of a NAC, law enforcement checks, record searches, inquiries of previous and current employment, education, residences, references and a credit check.  For some of these investigations sources may also be interviewed in person.  The form used for any national security investigation is the SF-86 (Questionnaire for National Security Positions).

Standard Form (SF) 86, “Questionnaire for National Security Positions: Used to request investigations to support determinations on all national security sensitive positions. The investigations that may be requested are the “Access National Agency Check and Inquiries” (ANACI) for civilian positions designated as Non-Critical Sensitive with a low risk, the MBI for positions designated as Non- Critical Sensitive with moderate risk, the “National Agency Check with Law and Credit’ (NACLC) for undesignated positions (e.g. military personnel) requiring access to Secret and/or Confidential national security information, or the Moderate Risk Background Investigation for Noncritical Sensitive Positions and/or with need for access to Secret/Confidential national security information.

The SF 86 is also used to request the “Single Scope Background Investigation” (SSBI) to support determinations on persons being assigned to Critical Sensitive or Special Sensitive designated positions regardless of the level of risk, and to support determinations for High Risk Public Trust designated positions with national security position sensitivity requirements at any level. The reinvestigations for these levels of sensitivity and risk include the SSBI Periodic Reinvestigation (SSBIPR) and the Phased Periodic Reinvestigation (PPR).

OF-306 Declaration for Federal Employment
https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of0306.pdf

SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action
https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdfimage/sf50.pdf

SF-312 Classified Information Nondisclosure Agreement
https://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/download/116218

2015 General Schedule (GS) Locality Pay Tables
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2015/general-schedule/