How long does OPM security clearance generally take

[DACP]

I just talked with an OPM Background Investigator, and according to him the "Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA)" requires 90% of all initial security clearance determinations be completed in an average of 60 days or less, allowing 40 days for the investigation phase and 20 days for the adjudication process, to the extent practical. However, that's not to say that the background won't take longer but they are working diligently in order to cut down the backlog and wait time.

Top-Secret clearances will naturally take longer in order to adjudicate as you are typically required to go back 10 years in residence and employment history. However, for a secret clearance those can be adjudicated fairly quickly with a simple National Agency Records check and then you can be issued an interim clearance until the rest of the follow-up is completed.

60 days from when it hit's whos desk? is it 60 days from when the agency gets it, 60 days from when the investigator gets it, 60 days from when he passes it to the next guy, etc. etc.

[Bearcat357]

It took someone over a year to update my Secret when I first started working for the USG in 05..... I was given an interim based on a prior clearance, NCIC Check, and Credit Check.

It was a good 2 years before anyone came to chat with me about my TS..... and I was running around with a TS/SCI-Interim by then.....

[orlandofed5-0]

I applied and received a Tentative offer for the DLA PD in CA back in Dec. I was finally referred for security clearance in June and I am still in the background process, I can not get any direct contact with investigators and DLA HR can only tell me the investigation is still in progress. Anyone have any advise or know if this is the normal practice

Well they as of today posted a new job announcement for 3 officers.

[kc12]

60 days from when it hit's whos desk? is it 60 days from when the agency gets it, 60 days from when the investigator gets it, 60 days from when he passes it to the next guy, etc. etc.

The 60 day clock starts when the investigation is farmed out to the field. The investigator has 30 days to complete everything they need to do. 10 days are used for processing at the field office and initial quality control review. Then it is forwarded to the adjudicator where they have 20 days to review the case and take a decision.

For cases that don't require an interview, everything is a database check and the investigation is done relatively quickly. If an interview is required your case will sit in a drawer until an office in the field has an opening to work the case. "Relatively quick" is just that relative. When compared to SSBI/SCI/Yankee White they are quick. When compared to the amount of time it takes to check your mail they are very slow. Every BI must have the records check completed, so your file will wait in line with every other file being completed.

[navy_cop]

I applied and received a Tentative offer for the DLA PD in CA back in Dec. I was finally referred for security clearance in June and I am still in the background process, I can not get any direct contact with investigators and DLA HR can only tell me the investigation is still in progress. Anyone have any advise or know if this is the normal practice

it's ok I've been waiting for a year now for DLA Police in CA, I had to resubmit the sf-86 because it changed from a sf-86p to sf-86......I've had job offers and as of now passed everything including getting the interm clearance for another dod police position since waiting. It's like the saying goes hurry up and wait.

[superman152]

well bro, ill keep you abreast of any changes, maybe we will meet if they ever get rolling

[navy_cop]

well bro, ill keep you abreast of any changes, maybe we will meet if they ever get rolling

same here, I'll let you know if I hear anything and hopefully

[kc12]

it's ok I've been waiting for a year now for DLA Police in CA, I had to resubmit the sf-86 because it changed from a sf-86p to sf-86......I've had job offers and as of now passed everything including getting the interm clearance for another dod police position since waiting. It's like the saying goes hurry up and wait.

Unless you already have a federal job, I'd take whatever federal position came along, until the dream job pops up. Federal time is time toward retirement.

[upstart]

i will say this as a contract investigator who does clearance investigations for OPM
my time line is as follows
OPM Farms the case to the contractor company, company assigns a case number and forwards the case info to the investigator (3-5 days)
i (the investigator) receive the case and usually have 14 days before it is due to the reviewer
(sometimes i get a case and an email asking if it can be done within 48 hrs)
the reviewer has 72 hrs to either push it back to me for follow up or pass it to OPM.

that said i usually get about "6 - 12 months ago" when i ask how long ago the SF86 was submitted initially. what happens between the SSO or S2 shop and OPM i have no idea.

[superman152]

Help me understand. If someone has a security clearance from another federal agency, they will be re-investigated or required to get a new clearance before they can start work with the new agency. I.E- Customs and Border Protection Officer with clearance wants to work for a DoD Police Agency which requires the same clearance level. can the candidate not start till a new clearance or interim clearance is granted or does the clearance automatically transfer and is accepted?

[kc12]

Help me understand. If someone has a security clearance from another federal agency, they will be re-investigated or required to get a new clearance before they can start work with the new agency. I.E- Customs and Border Protection Officer with clearance wants to work for a DoD Police Agency which requires the same clearance level. can the candidate not start till a new clearance or interim clearance is granted or does the clearance automatically transfer and is accepted?

It depends. In a perfect world the clearance would simply transfer, but this is far from a perfect world. If you were applying for say Border Patrol and had a clearance from CBP OFO then it would simply transfer. If you had one from CBP OFO and wanted to transfer to DOD police it can take longer for the BI to transfer as it would to complete a new one. In those cases normally it is faster to just have a new one done. Many people can receive an interim clearance that can be granted much faster than ordering the old investigation.

Another thing that has to be looked at. If say you have a TS from working as an intel specialist for the DOD and you apply for Border Patrol. Even though both are SSBI investigations the Border Patrol has more questions because it is a LE agency that wouldn't be covered by the DOD investigation.

[orlandofed5-0]

Help me understand. If someone has a security clearance from another federal agency, they will be re-investigated or required to get a new clearance before they can start work with the new agency. I.E- Customs and Border Protection Officer with clearance wants to work for a DoD Police Agency which requires the same clearance level. can the candidate not start till a new clearance or interim clearance is granted or does the clearance automatically transfer and is accepted?

If your a vet, the VA hospital is hiring in Fresno. Good way to get in if your a vet.

[superman152]

Still waiting for my clearance, received a request for more info a few weeks back about federal debt. Does that mean they are finished and after the adjudication of my decision about tax payments they will grant me the clearance? or should i not read too much into it. Any insight?