Background Investigation/ID Card

Background Investigations

The interests of national security require that all persons privileged to be employed in the departments and agencies of the government shall be reliable, trustworthy, of good conduct and character, and of complete and unswerving loyalty to the United States. This means that the appointment of each civilian employee in any department or agency of the government is subject to investigation. The scope of the investigation will vary, depending on the nature of the position and the degree of harm that an individual in that position could cause.

The investigation is a job requirement. Providing the information is voluntary, but if you choose not to provide the required information, you will not meet the requirements of the job and will therefore not be considered further. If you are already employed by the Federal government, your appointment will be terminated. The courts have upheld this principle.

New Employee Orientation
The only persons authorized to see your personal information are Personnel Security, Suitability, and Investigations professionals who have been investigated at the appropriate level and who have a genuine and demonstrated need for access to the information.

Providing information that is as complete and accurate as possible will assure that your investigation is completed in an efficient and timely manner. If you are unable to answer a question with precision, provide approximate information, note that you have done so on the questionnaire.  If you are interviewed in person, point out the approximated information on the questionnaire to the Investigator. Any negative information is evaluated regarding its recency, seriousness, relevance to the position and duties, and in light of, and in relationship to, all other information about you.

For general information on background investigations please visit: http://www.opm.gov/Products_and_Services/Investigations/FAQs.asp

 ID Card and Building Access

On August 27, 2004, the White House issued Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) which directed Federal agencies to create a process to verify the identity of each employee and contractor who is required to possess a Federal identity card.

Every employee requiring working in a Federal building is required to complete the PIV (Personal Identity Verification) form. Your supervisor (PIV Sponsor) is required to fill out a portion of the form out with information regarding your position. At that time the form is forwarded to your HR liaison (PIV Registar) who will complete the form with you after reviewing your two forms of identification. Once all of that has been completed the form will be sent to the State Office for review. Once your background investigation and/or fingerprints have been cleared you will be issued an ID card and access card to your building (if applicable).