What is this clearance document?

You normally see or sign this.

What it is

The long personal-history questionnaire behind a national security clearance. It is completed online in eApp, and it becomes the spine of the investigation: almost every later question traces back to an answer, or an omission, on this form.

What you do

Complete every section, then certify and release it to the sponsoring security office. The record treats a discovered omission as more damaging than the underlying issue, so an awkward disclosure is the safer disclosure.

Also called

SF-86, SF86, security questionnaire, eQIP form, eApp questionnaire, clearance application

Full entry for SF 86

Source: OPM — Federal Investigation Forms. Listed by form number and title on OPM’s federal investigation forms page.

You normally see or sign this.

What it is

The single modernised questionnaire that will replace the SF 86, SF 85, SF 85P and SF 85P-S. It shortens the look-back on most questions from seven or ten years to five, narrows mental-health questions to a five-year window aimed at conditions affecting judgment, separates marijuana from other drugs, and drops the physical-description and Selective Service questions. The rollout began on 1 June 2026 with ten companies, for five-year updates only; the government target for using it in all vetting scenarios is September 2027.

What you do

Almost certainly nothing yet. If you are completing a questionnaire today it is still very likely the SF 86, and the SF 86 look-back periods still apply to it.

Also called

PVQ, new SF-86, SF-86 replacement, personnel vetting questionnaire

Full entry for PVQ

Source: DCSA Vetting Operations newsletter, June 2026. DCSA newsletter records the 1 June 2026 start with ten companies; Trusted Workforce 2.0 quarterly report FY26-Q2 sets September 2027 for all vetting scenarios.

You normally see or sign this. · Edition 05/2002

What it is

A general consent allowing investigators to obtain records held about you by third parties.

What you do

Sign it as part of the questionnaire package. Investigators cannot obtain much of the record without it.

Also called

SF-713, SF713, consent for access to records, records release

Full entry for SF 713

Source: GSA — Standard Forms. GSA forms page gives form number SF713 and revision date 05/2002.

You normally see or sign this.

What it is

A targeted release for a specific category of record — medical, financial or similar — used where the general consent is not sufficient on its own.

What you do

Sign it when a particular record has to be obtained. It is narrower than the general consent, not broader.

Also called

OFI-16A, OFI 16A, specific release, medical release, financial release

Full entry for OFI 16A

Source: DCSA — Terms and Definitions. DCSA defines OFI 16A as the specific release for medical, financial or other information.

You normally see or sign this. · No longer in current use.

What it is

The former online system for submitting the questionnaires. It has been replaced by eApp within NBIS. Older decisions and older guidance still refer to it by name.

What you do

Nothing. If you are directed to e-QIP today, check with the security office — the current portal is eApp.

Also called

eQIP, e-QIP, electronic questionnaire

Full entry for e-QIP

Source: DCSA — e-QIP. DCSA’s own e-QIP page records its replacement.

You normally see or sign this.

What it is

The fingerprint chart used for the criminal-history check. Prints are normally captured electronically now; the chart is the paper form behind that step. DCSA records that the SF 87 has also been usable for contractors since June 2013.

What you do

Attend the appointment the security office arranges. Poor-quality prints are a common and avoidable cause of delay.

Also called

SF-87, SF87, FD-258, FD258, fingerprint card, fingerprints, live scan

Full entry for SF 87 (or FD-258)

Source: DCSA — Terms and Definitions. DCSA defines the SF 87 as the fingerprint chart and records the June 2013 extension to contractors.

You normally see or sign this.

What it is

The request sent to the agency when a fingerprint submission cannot be used and a fresh set is needed. It is a quality problem, not a derogatory finding.

What you do

Attend the repeat appointment promptly. The case does not progress until usable prints are on file.

Also called

FIPC 11, FIPC-11, new fingerprint chart, fingerprint rejected

Full entry for FIPC 11

Source: DCSA — Terms and Definitions. DCSA lists FIPC 11 as the request to agency for a new fingerprint chart.

Agency-to-agency. You do not normally see this.

What it is

The investigators’ completed findings, submitted to the sponsoring agency so it can make its determination. It is the evidence base an adjudicator reads.

What you do

Nothing directly. You can request your own records later; see the records section of this page.

Also called

ROI, report of investigation, investigation report

Full entry for Report of Investigation

Source: DCSA — Investigations and Clearance Process. DCSA describes investigators submitting results through a report of investigation which is returned to the sponsoring agency.

Agency-to-agency. You do not normally see this.

What it is

Confirms to the agency that the requested investigation has been scheduled by DCSA. It is a routine processing confirmation.

Also called

investigation scheduled, scheduled notice

Full entry for Investigation Scheduled Notice

Source: DCSA — Terms and Definitions. DCSA: "Verifies the requested investigation has been scheduled by DCSA."

Agency-to-agency. You do not normally see this.

What it is

Sent when the type of investigation requested does not match the sensitivity or access information recorded in the request. The investigation has not started, and the paperwork must be corrected and returned.

What you do

Nothing directly, but it is worth asking the security office whether the request has been corrected — this notice means the clock has not started.

Also called

administrative return, case papers returned, returned notice

Full entry for Administrative Return Notice

Source: DCSA — Terms and Definitions. DCSA: case papers returned where the investigation type is inconsistent with the Agency Use Only block; "the investigation has not been initiated".

Agency-to-agency. You do not normally see this.

What it is

Sent to the agency when an investigation request is returned as unacceptable, typically because the investigative forms were not completed correctly. It is a paperwork rejection, not a finding about the person.

What you do

Nothing directly. In practice it usually means a form has to be corrected and resubmitted.

Also called

FIPC 45A, unacceptable case, case rejected

Full entry for FIPC 45A

Source: DCSA — Terms and Definitions. DCSA: sent when requests "are returned to agencies as unacceptable", where forms "are not completed correctly".

Agency-to-agency. You do not normally see this.

What it is

The summary that accompanies a completed investigation, setting out what was investigated, the results, and the closing action taken.

Also called

CCT, case closing transmittal, closing package

Full entry for CCT

Source: DCSA — Terms and Definitions. DCSA: "provides a summary of investigated activities and results and indicates one of the following closing actions".

Agency-to-agency. You do not normally see this.

What it is

A notice in the closing package certifying the level of investigation completed and that a final adjudication was made. It is filed in the personnel folder.

Also called

COI, certification of investigation

Full entry for COI

Source: DCSA — Terms and Definitions. DCSA: certifies "the level of background investigation that was completed and that a final adjudication was made".

Agency-to-agency. You do not normally see this.

What it is

Records that the case has been discontinued. Discontinuation is an administrative outcome — commonly the sponsorship ended — and is not itself an adverse determination.

Also called

closed discontinued, discontinued

Full entry for Closed-Discontinued Notice

Source: DCSA — Terms and Definitions. DCSA: "Indicates when the case has been discontinued."

Agency-to-agency. You do not normally see this.

What it is

Sent when a previously requested fingerprint chart was never received, so the case is closed without completing. It returns with the new chart when that is supplied.

Also called

closed incomplete, incomplete notice

Full entry for Closed-Incomplete Notice

Source: DCSA — Terms and Definitions. DCSA: case papers returned "when DCSA has not received a new fingerprint chart previously requested".

Agency-to-agency. You do not normally see this.

What it is

An agency request for a determination or an advisory opinion in a federal investigation.

Also called

INV 60, INV-60, request for determination, advisory

Full entry for INV 60

Source: OPM — Federal Investigation Forms. Listed by form number and title on OPM’s federal investigation forms page.

Agency-to-agency. You do not normally see this.

What it is

The request used for a special agreement check, a limited check performed under an agreement with the requesting agency rather than a full investigation.

Also called

INV 86C, special agreement check, SAC

Full entry for INV 86C

Source: DCSA — Terms and Definitions. DCSA lists INV 86C as the request for special agreement check.

Agency-to-agency. You do not normally see this.

What it is

The form sent to a current or former employer to verify employment and identify supervisors. This is the mechanism behind "they contacted my old job".

What you do

Nothing. Listing employers accurately on the questionnaire is what makes this step go smoothly.

Also called

INV 41, INV-41, employment verification, supervisor check

Full entry for INV 41

Source: OMB information collection 0705-0003. Named in the approved OMB collection for INV 40-44, which transferred from OPM to DCSA; OPM’s forms page no longer lists these.

Agency-to-agency. You do not normally see this.

What it is

The form sent to a law enforcement agency for records about you. Law enforcement participation is required by statute.

Also called

INV 44, INV-44, law enforcement check, police records check

Full entry for INV 44

Source: OMB information collection 0705-0003. Named in the approved OMB collection for INV 40-44; participation required by 5 U.S.C. 9101.

You normally see or sign this. · Edition 12/2023

What it is

The nondisclosure agreement signed before access to classified information begins. Its obligations continue after the job ends.

What you do

Sign it at indoctrination. Access does not start until it is signed.

Also called

SF-312, SF312, NDA, nondisclosure agreement

Full entry for SF 312

Source: GSA — Standard Forms. GSA forms page gives form number SF312, revision 12/2023, and the cited authority. Authority: 32 CFR Part 2001.80 and Executive Order 13526.

You normally see or sign this. · Edition 07/2022

What it is

A financial disclosure required for certain categories of access, separate from the financial questions on the questionnaire.

What you do

Complete it where the agency requires it for the access being granted.

Also called

SF-714, SF714, financial disclosure

Full entry for SF 714

Source: GSA — Standard Forms. GSA forms page gives form number SF714, revision 07/2022, authority Executive Order 12968. Authority: Executive Order 12968.

You normally see or sign this.

What it is

The statement signed when access ends, acknowledging that the duty to protect what you learned continues. The form number is agency-specific rather than government-wide. Note that DD Form 2962 is a different document entirely — a system access request — despite the similar number.

What you do

Sign it at the exit briefing. The obligation it records does not expire with the job.

Also called

security termination statement, debriefing statement, exit briefing, debrief

Full entry for NRC Form 136; DOE F 5631.29; DA Form 2962

Source: NRC Form 136 information collection. NRC Form 136 is titled "Security Termination Statement"; DOE F 5631.29 and DA Form 2962 carry the same title. Industry equivalent is the NISPOM debriefing at 32 CFR 117.12(l).

Agency-to-agency. You do not normally see this. · No longer in current use.

What it is

The predecessor to the SF 312. It was cancelled on 8 February 1988 and replaced by the SF 312. It appears in older files and older decisions.

Also called

SF-189, SF189, old NDA

Full entry for SF 189

Source: GSA — Standard Forms. GSA forms page records the form as obsolete, "cancelled on 2/8/1988", replaced by the SF 312.

Agency-to-agency. You do not normally see this. · No longer in current use.

What it is

A certification form once used alongside the SF 86. GSA records it as obsolete.

Also called

SF-86C, SF86C, certification

Full entry for SF 86C

Source: GSA — Standard Forms. GSA forms page gives form number SF86C with revision date recorded as "Obsolete".