WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO APPLY FOR A SECURITY CLEARANCE OR TO KEEP MY CURRENT CLEARANCE?
When you are offered a job that requires a security clearance, you will be required to fill out an SF-86 security clearance questionnaire. [e-QIP which is available in PDF format through the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM)]: http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF86.pdf) Later on, an OPM Agent may interview you in person looking for discrepancies or incorrect statements in your questionnaire application, or other information which may lead to denial of your application under DoD Directive 5220.6 Guidelines. In addition, you may be required to provide written responses to Interrogatories on certain issues. If the determination is made to deny/revoke your clearance, you will then receive a Statement of Reasons. [If you are offered a job requiring SCI or SAP access, you probably will be required to take a “lifestyle” polygraph examination; see our page entitled “The Polygraph Examination, Forewarned is Forearmed.
