Evaluate Your Readiness
Are you ready?
One of the key components to the security clearance process is the Standard Form 86 (SF-86), a lengthy questionnaire required by the federal government to be completed by each applicant. Data indicates that in many cases, the inaccurate completion of this form causes a delay in granting a security clearance.
Now that you have learned about the clearance process, you can evaluate your readiness by completeing the quiz below. In many cases, applicants answer SF 86 questions incorrectly because they misinterpret what is being asked. This self-assessment offers potential scenarios that you may come across when answering the SF 86:
Alcoholism
I am a recovering alcoholic. Even though I have been sober for the past 5 years and actively seek treatment, my alcoholism will automatically disqualify me from obtaining a security clearance.
Correct!
Being up-front about any mental health issues and treatment you have sought will help to establish your honesty, integrity and trustworthiness in the adjudication process.
Incorrect.
Being up-front about any mental health issues and treatment you have sought will help to establish your honesty, integrity and trustworthiness in the adjudication process.
Arrest Record
Being arrested automatically disqualifies you from obtaining a security clearance.
Correct!
While investigators will want to hear from you about the circumstances of the arrest and how long ago it took place, you will not be automatically disqualified. In fact, being upfront about this information on your application can help demonstrate your integrity.
Incorrect.
While investigators will want to hear from you about the circumstances of the arrest and how long ago it took place, you will not be automatically disqualified. In fact, being upfront about this information on your application can help demonstrate your integrity.
Arrest Records
I was arrested for DUI in high school, but my record has since been expunged. I don’t need to mention this on my application, since it was so long ago and is no longer part of my record.
Correct!
Failing to report this on your application will call your integrity and trustworthiness into question as adjudicators complete your background investigation.
Incorrect.
Failing to report this on your application will call your integrity and trustworthiness into question as adjudicators complete your background investigation.
Arrest Records Abroad
I was once arrested while abroad, but not charged. I will need to report this on my SF86.
Correct!
You will need to report any arrest records, whether you were later criminally charged or not. Failing to report this could cast doubt on your integrity.
Incorrect.
You will need to report any arrest records, whether you were later criminally charged or not. Failing to report this could cast doubt on your integrity.
Downloading Files Online
I will need to report any instances of illegal downloading in which I have engaged in the past 7 years.
Correct!
Reporting these instances on your SF86 will help you to establish that you have moved on from this behavior.
Incorrect.
Reporting these instances on your SF86 will help you to establish that you have moved on from this behavior.
Dual Citizenship and Travel
I am a dual citizen of Canada and the United States, with passports from both countries. When I fill out the SF-86, I need to report any international travel I have had under both passports.
Correct!
International travel under all passports you hold must be reported on the SF86.
Incorrect.
International travel under all passports you hold must be reported on the SF86.
Education History
I should include information for the class I took at my local community college to brush up on my math skills, even though it was non-credit.
Correct!
If this took place prior to your 18th birthday, you will only need to provide this piece of information if you need to establish a minimum of two years of education history.
Incorrect.
If this took place prior to your 18th birthday, you will only need to provide this piece of information if you need to establish a minimum of two years of education history.
Employer Information
I will need the federal tax ID number of each of my former employers to complete the SF86.
Correct!
You will not need the federal tax ID of past employers, but you will need to include information such as the name of your employer, the dates of your employment, the name and position of your supervisor, etc.
Incorrect.
You will not need the federal tax ID of past employers, but you will need to include information such as the name of your employer, the dates of your employment, the name and position of your supervisor, etc.
Employment History
The SF86 asks about each job I have had for the past 10 years. I should report all of my full-time employment, but don’t need to mention part-time jobs, including my job as a summer camp counselor.
Correct!
Report all full- and part-time jobs you have held in the last 10 years, including any that only lasted for a short duration.
Incorrect.
Report all full- and part-time jobs you have held in the last 10 years, including any that only lasted for a short duration.
Family Connections
If a member of my immediate family is not a U.S. citizen and lives in the U.S., I will need to know the type of documentation they have to support residency in the U.S.
Correct!
You will also need to provide the document number and expiration date.
Incorrect.
You will also need to provide the document number and expiration date.
Family Dynamics
I was adopted and as an adult met my birth mother. I need to report information for my adoptive parents and my birth mother on the SF86.
Correct!
You should report any direct family members you know about, regardless of the extent of contact you have with them.
Incorrect.
You should report any direct family members you know about, regardless of the extent of contact you have with them.
Family Who Live Abroad
I will need to include the frequency with which I communicate with any immediate family members who live abroad.
Correct!
You only need to report this if your family members who live abroad are not U.S. citizens.
Incorrect.
You only need to report this if your family members who live abroad are not U.S. citizens.
FBI Piracy Warning
The FBI Piracy Warning only applies to companies in the entertainment industry. It is okay to use content from other companies without paying for it.
Correct!
Illegally sharing files, regardless of industry, indicates an unwillingness to comply with rules and regulations, which is a red flag for security clearance investigators.
Incorrect.
Illegally sharing files, regardless of industry, indicates an unwillingness to comply with rules and regulations, which is a red flag for security clearance investigators.
Foreign Contacts
Two years ago, while we were living together, my brother dated someone who was in the U.S. on a work visa. I need to list information about that person on the SF86.
Correct!
You will need to report any foreign nationals with whom you have had close personal contact.
Incorrect.
You will need to report any foreign nationals with whom you have had close personal contact.
International Deployment
While I was stationed abroad in the military, I occasionally took day trips off base to explore the area. I was in the country on official government business, so I don’t need to report these trips.
Correct!
Any side trips you took that were not official government business must be reported, even if they were taken while you were stationed in a foreign country on official government business.
Incorrect.
Any side trips you took that were not official government business must be reported, even if they were taken while you were stationed in a foreign country on official government business.
International Professional Contacts
I attended an international conference in my field of study and made friends with an attendee who is a citizen of the host country while there. We occasionally send each other news articles and peer-reviewed articles related to our field via email. I need to report this contact on my SF86.
Correct!
You will need to report information about this contact, including the person’s name, how frequently you contact one another and by what means.
Incorrect.
You will need to report information about this contact, including the person’s name, how frequently you contact one another and by what means.
International Professional Travel
I will need to provide the name and description of any international trade shows, conferences, seminars or meetings I have attended in the last 7 years, including the name, description, dates, purpose and location of each event.
Correct!
In addition to any personal travel outside of the U.S., you will also need to report the details of any professional travel you have taken outside the U.S.
Incorrect.
In addition to any personal travel outside of the U.S., you will also need to report the details of any professional travel you have taken outside the U.S.
Leaving Questions Blank
If I don’t have an answer for a question on the SF-86, I should just leave it blank.
Correct!
Any question for which you do not have an answer should be marked with “not applicable” to indicate to your application readers that the question does not apply to you.
Incorrect.
Any question for which you do not have an answer should be marked with “not applicable” to indicate to your application readers that the question does not apply to you.
Mutual Funds
I invest in a mutual fund that is publicly traded on the U.S. exchange. The mutual fund invests in American and internationally owned businesses. I need to report this in the Foreign Activities Section of SF86.
Correct!
The SF86 asks for any foreign investments or internationally owned businesses in which you have a stake, but excludes investments that are part of publicly traded mutual funds on the U.S. exchange.
Incorrect.
The SF86 asks for any foreign investments or internationally owned businesses in which you have a stake, but excludes investments that are part of publicly traded mutual funds on the U.S. exchange.
Mental Health
When I was in high school, I was hospitalized after a suicide attempt. Even though this was more than 10 years ago, I need to report it on the SF86.
Correct!
If you have EVER been hospitalized for a mental health issue, you will need to report it on the SF86. Mental health conditions will not necessarily disqualify you from receiving a security clearance.
Incorrect.
If you have EVER been hospitalized for a mental health issue, you will need to report it on the SF86. Mental health conditions will not necessarily disqualify you from receiving a security clearance.
Past Drug Use
If I report my past drug use on the SF86, any information I provide cannot be used against me as evidence in a criminal proceeding.
Correct!
You should disclose this information, as failing to do so will raise questions about your honesty, integrity and trustworthiness.
Incorrect.
You should disclose this information, as failing to do so will raise questions about your honesty, integrity and trustworthiness.
Records from Living Abroad
While I was living abroad six years ago, I opened a bank account in my country of residence. I do not need to report this on the SF86 because I have since closed the account.
Correct!
You will need to report any financial accounts that you have held in foreign countries.
Incorrect.
You will need to report any financial accounts that you have held in foreign countries.
References
If I put a contact down as a reference to verify one of my places of residence, I can put that same person down in the section of the SF86 that asks for people who know me well.
Correct!
Use each reference on the SF86 only once.
Incorrect.
Use each reference on the SF86 only once.
References
I should not write my cousin as a reference in the section of the SF86 that asks for people who know me well, because we are related.
Correct!
You should only use references that are not related to you in this section.
Incorrect.
You should only use references that are not related to you in this section.
Residences
To accurately complete the SF86, I will need to know the address of every residence I have occupied in the past 10 years, as well as the dates I lived at each home and full contact information for a neighbor, landlord or other person who can verify the information I have provided.
Correct!
Using a family member, spouse or roommate as a reference for your place of residence will likely delay the processing time for your application. You do not need to include any place that you stayed fewer than 90 days, as long as you did not use that location as your permanent or mailing address.
Incorrect.
Using a family member, spouse or roommate as a reference for your place of residence will likely delay the processing time for your application. You do not need to include any place that you stayed fewer than 90 days, as long as you did not use that location as your permanent or mailing address.
Residential References
I cannot use my spouse, relative or roommate to verify my most recent residence.
Correct!
You should not use a family member, spouse, or someone who lives with you to verify your places of residence.
Incorrect.
You should not use a family member, spouse, or someone who lives with you to verify your places of residence.
Security Clearance Application
When applying for a security clearance, it is best to leave out any past mistakes or bad behavior on your application.
Correct!
If you leave them out on your application, past mistakes will likely come up as the agency conducts its investigation into your background. This will cast doubt on your integrity and endanger or slow down your ability to gain clearance.
Incorrect.
If you leave them out on your application, past mistakes will likely come up as the agency conducts its investigation into your background. This will cast doubt on your integrity and endanger or slow down your ability to gain clearance.
Security Clearance Levels
The difference between the three levels of security clearance relates to the age of the applicant.
Correct!
Security clearance levels primarily depend on the degree of security risk information the person would be privy to could have to the country.
Incorrect.
Security clearance levels primarily depend on the degree of security risk information the person would be privy to could have to the country.
Study Abroad
I studied abroad in college. I need to report this on my SF86, as well as any non-US citizens I had close contact with while there.
Correct!
You will need to report any contact you have had with non-US citizens both while abroad and while in the U.S.
Incorrect.
You will need to report any contact you have had with non-US citizens both while abroad and while in the U.S.
Termination History
I have to report if I’ve been fired from a job in the last 7 years, but don’t need to report about the time I quit my job after my boss told me they were planning to let me go.
Correct!
Background investigators will contact past employers and supervisors to determine the circumstances of your departure; be honest and up-front to avoid any concerns about your integrity or trustworthiness.
Incorrect.
Background investigators will contact past employers and supervisors to determine the circumstances of your departure; be honest and up-front to avoid any concerns about your integrity or trustworthiness.
The Legality of Marijuana
Medical marijuana for pets is legal in my state. My dog has a hip problem for which the vet has prescribed CBD oil. Giving the CBD oil to my dog wouldn’t be a problem for my security clearance.
Correct!
Though medical marijuana may be legal at the state level, marijuana in any form is still illegal at the federal level and using it, whether for yourself or a pet could jeopardize your ability to obtain a security clearance.
Incorrect.
Though medical marijuana may be legal at the state level, marijuana in any form is still illegal at the federal level and using it, whether for yourself or a pet could jeopardize your ability to obtain a security clearance.
Student Loan Debt
Having student loan debt automatically disqualifies you from obtaining a security clearance.
Correct!
Though debts will not automatically disqualify an applicant from obtaining a security clearance, investigators will look to see that you have been timely with your payments and that any debts you have are in good standing.
Incorrect.
Though debts will not automatically disqualify an applicant from obtaining a security clearance, investigators will look to see that you have been timely with your payments and that any debts you have are in good standing.
Student Loan Payments
Calvin recently graduated from college and has been looking for a full-time job. His paycheck from a part-time job will cover rent, utilities and food, but not the student loan payment that is due at the end of the month. Calvin is afraid to contact the lender to let them know about this financial hardship. Skipping the payments until finding full-time work won’t affect his ability to gain a security clearance.
Correct!
Missing even one student loan payment can lead to delinquency and missing more than one may put a loan in default. Calving should be proactive and contact the lender before missing a payment, as there are likely alternate repayment options that could prevent delinquency or default. His ability to manage debt is a crucial element to acquiring and maintaining a clearance; high debt or issues with finances will raise red flags with security clearance investigators.
Incorrect.
Missing even one student loan payment can lead to delinquency and missing more than one may put a loan in default. Calving should be proactive and contact the lender before missing a payment, as there are likely alternate repayment options that could prevent delinquency or default. His ability to manage debt is a crucial element to acquiring and maintaining a clearance; high debt or issues with finances will raise red flags with security clearance investigators.
Juvenile Records
If you get arrested for DUI as a juvenile, it won’t show up on an adult record later.
Correct!
Criminal records remain on a person’s record regardless of the age at conviction; while a person may request expungement under certain circumstances, even that does not fully erase the record. For this reason, be sure to disclose any juvenile arrests or convictions on your security clearance application.
Incorrect.
Criminal records remain on a person’s record regardless of the age at conviction; while a person may request expungement under certain circumstances, even that does not fully erase the record. For this reason, be sure to disclose any juvenile arrests or convictions on your security clearance application.
