Personnel Security FAQs

“Other names used” are names you are or were known by, other than your given name, to include maiden name, name(s) used during prior marriage(s), nicknames, and/or a name you prefer to go by that is not a legal name.

Every effort should be made to provide your current passport information. If it has been misplaced and you cannot locate it, do not submit the eApp until you obtain the requested information. If it is lost, you can go to https://travel.state.gov for instructions on replacing your passport. You may also reach out to PERSEC if you have previously completed a questionnaire with the NCUA for previous information.

For your residence, education, or employment, do NOT use a family member, cohabitant, or management company as a verifier. It must be an actual person who is not related to you. You CAN use the full name and contact information of a neighbor, friend, fellow student, supervisor, co-worker, or administrator as a verifier. NOTE: A family member can only be used to verify your periods of unemployment.

No. You must provide an actual street address for all verifiers and locations. The school address can usually be found via a Google search. You may use the employer address for your verifier if the home address is not known.

No. There are two parts to the question. You must disclose any education you have had within 5 or 7 years, depending on the form you are filling out, regardless of whether a degree was awarded. But you must also include any schools where a degree was awarded regardless of timeframe, in addition to schools you are currently enrolled in or have attended within the past 5 or 7 years.

Enter this activity as "Unemployment". A comment can be added to the activity to explain you were retired, a student, or a caregiver. Note: periods of unemployment and employment cannot overlap.

You cannot self-verify, nor can you use a family member to verify your self-employment; you can use a co-worker, client, or friend.

Yes. Enter all former federal service regardless of the timeframe.

This question applies to individuals born as male after December 31, 1959. You can verify your Selective Service number at Verify Registration | Selective Service System.

If you are under the age of 26 and were born as male, review the requirements to register at: Who Needs to Register | Selective Service System.

If you are over the age of 26, were born as male, and have not registered, review the requirements Men 26 and Older | Selective Service System.

No. Do not use a family member or cohabitant as someone who knows you well. If possible, provide someone who was not used as a verifier previously on the form.

No. Only include these family members under the category of Relatives in section 18; if you include them under cohabitants, their SSN is required as well.

Yes. All family members identified under "Check all that apply" are to be included in the form (including those who are deceased). This includes all known information on your mother-in-law and father-in-law. If you are separated from your spouse, but not divorced, their information is still required.

Yes. The question applies to the use of illegal drugs or controlled substances in accordance with Federal laws, even though permissible under state laws. Marijuana is categorized as a controlled substance under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.

Yes. Contact PersonnelSecurity@NCUA.gov and provide a synopsis of the situation or concern or request to be contacted by a PERSEC Specialist to assist.

Yes, investigators conducting personnel security or suitability background investigations may call, email, and/or text you to schedule interviews or gather more information after the initial interview. Additionally, investigators may host telephone interviews, per DCSA policy.

You can contact PersonnelSecurity@NCUA.gov to verify that you have an ongoing investigation. However, PERSEC cannot verify the investigator. Visit the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) website to Verify Your Investigator (dcsa.mil).

You can file a complaint with the DCSA Office of Inspector General Hotline if you have a concern or issue with a Special Agent or Investigator. The complaint may be about your investigator or someone else’s (e.g., if you were contacted as a source in someone else’s investigation). Contact information is located on the DCSA Website Report a Concern.

There are different levels of investigation which are determined based on position or contract. Most background investigations include criminal history, credit history, employment records, education verification, court records search, and personal references to collectively cover various aspect of your life. For more information, visit Investigations & Clearance Process (dcsa.mil).

Yes. When the investigation is released to DCSA, record checks, source letters, and interviews can commence at any time. If you have a significant concern regarding your current employer being contacted, you need to send notification immediately to our office at PersonnelSecurity@NCUA.gov and copy your Office of Human Resources or Contractor representative. Once the investigation is released, there is nothing our office can do to stop the letters, investigators, etc. from conducting the investigation.

Yes, you can order a copy of closed investigations through the DCSA FOIA and Privacy Office by visiting Access Your Records (dcsa.mil).

The background investigation and all associated forms and interviews are collected to assist with evaluating your character and conduct, trustworthiness, and integrity. If you knowingly provide false information during this process, it could result in you being found unsuitable/unfit for the position, denial of your eligibility to occupy a sensitive national security position, or denial of your eligibility to access classified national security information. Additionally, under Title 18 of the United States Code Section 1001, knowingly falsifying or concealing material facts is a felony-level offense, in which you may face up to $10,000 in fines and/or 5 years imprisonment.

If discrepancies are found in your background investigation that could lead to an unfavorable determination, you will be contacted by NCUA PERSEC with an opportunity to address the identified concerns. PERSEC will contact you in writing and your response must be sent back in writing.

Investigations and adjudications conducted by other Federal agencies that meet or exceed the current position requirements will be reciprocally accepted whenever practicable to reduce investigative requests, associated costs, and unnecessary delays.

Adjudicative determinations for suitability and fitness are processed under 5 Code of Federal Regulations § 731.202. Eligibility determinations for access to classified national security information and/or to occupy a sensitive position are processed under Security Executive Agent Directive (SEAD) 4 in accordance with Executive Order 12968.

An interim determination will be rendered after a complete processing package has been received and the pre-employment checks have been accomplished. An interim determination will allow the individual to begin working for or on behalf of the NCUA and receive a credential, if applicable.

A final determination will be rendered after a completed background investigation has been received from the investigation service provider, the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency. Continued employment is contingent upon maintaining that favorable determination.

Yes, in most situations an individual can start in the position or contract after a favorable interim determination has been rendered. PERSEC may elect to delay an interim determination for an individual until a completed investigation is received.

National Security clearances are authorized based on the position or contract an individual occupies rather than on the person. As such, if the position requires a security clearance, the NCUA will process a crossover or upgrade as necessary.

If a final favorable determination is rendered, you will be subject to continuous vetting. Continuous Vetting involves regularly assessing your background which may include conducting additional or updated checks using commercial databases, government databases, and other information lawfully available to security officials at any time to determine if you continue to meet the personnel vetting requirements as governed by federal regulations. Individuals must maintain a favorable suitability, fitness, and/or national security determination throughout the entirety of their tenure with the NCUA.

For NCUA employees, contractors, interns, or other persons requiring access to NCUA facilities, systems, or information, fingerprints are enrolled in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Next Generation Information Record of Arrest and Prosecution Background Program (Rap Back) to report criminal information to the NCUA when new arrests or updated information is added to the system. Enrollment in the Rap Back Program is not optional and will terminate upon an individual’s separation from the NCUA.