What is the background investigation?
Applicants who are successful in the Oral Assessment will be asked to submit forms for a security clearance required for appointment to the Foreign Service. The clearance process considers such factors as: registration for the Selective Service; failure to repay a U.S. Government-guaranteed student loan; past problems with credit or bankruptcy; failure to meet tax obligations; unsatisfactory employment records; violations of the law; drug or alcohol abuse; a criminal record; extensive travel; education; residence and/or employment overseas; dual citizenship; foreign contacts; immediate family or relatives who are not citizens of the United States and/or a foreign born spouse; or a less- than-honorable discharge from the armed forces. The Department of State conducts background investigations on each candidate to determine eligibility for security clearance. Investigations include interviews with current and previous contacts, supervisors, and coworkers.
Applicants who are successful in the Oral Assessment will be asked to submit forms for a security clearance required for appointment to the Foreign Service. The clearance process considers such factors as: registration for the Selective Service; failure to repay a U.S. Government-guaranteed student loan; past problems with credit or bankruptcy; failure to meet tax obligations; unsatisfactory employment records; violations of the law; drug or alcohol abuse; a criminal record; extensive travel; education; residence and/or employment overseas; dual citizenship; foreign contacts; immediate family or relatives who are not citizens of the United States and/or a foreign born spouse or foreign born declared same-sex domestic partner; or a less- than-honorable discharge from the armed forces. The Department of State conducts background investigations on each candidate to determine eligibility for security clearance. Investigations include interviews with current and previous contacts, superviso
The background investigation involves the applicant completing a packet of material identifying prior employers, contacts, recapping any potential conflicts with the law, and a review of the driving record. Certain incidents may be completely barring, felony arrests or a recent bad driving record could be problematic. The investigation looks at the individual as a whole trying to determine if there are areas where the applicants credibility may be brought into question. Download the background investigation packet here. What is the Chiefs interview? The Chiefs interview involves a short meeting with the Chief or the Assistant Chief to review information on the background, and again, another opportunity to meet and interact with the applicant to see how he/she will fit in with the department. At this point, the applicant may be offered a conditional appointment; thus, allowing the medical and psychological evaluations. The medical evaluation looks for general health issues that might co
