Public Trust Clearance is an assessment of an individual’s integrity and reliability, representing a prerequisite for certain positions within the federal government and for federal contractors. This vetting process determines a person’s suitability to hold a position that involves sensitive data or access to critical government infrastructure. The determination confirms whether an individual possesses the character traits necessary to perform their duties with honesty and trustworthiness. Successfully completing this investigation allows an applicant to move forward in the hiring process.
What Is Public Trust Clearance?
Public Trust (PT) is a designation tied to a position’s potential for adverse impact on the effectiveness and reliability of the federal service. The purpose of this determination is to ensure an individual is suitable for a sensitive role that does not require access to classified national security information. These positions often involve handling sensitive but unclassified information, working with critical information technology systems, or making policy decisions that affect the public. The legal authority for this suitability determination is found in the Code of Federal Regulations, specifically 5 CFR Part 731, which governs employment for federal and certain contractor roles.
The Different Levels of Public Trust
Public Trust positions are categorized into three distinct risk levels based on the potential severity of the damage an individual could cause if they misused their position. Low Risk positions involve duties with a limited effect on the efficiency or integrity of the agency and typically only require a basic background check. Moderate Risk positions are the first level designated as Public Trust and have the potential for serious damage to the public trust, such as roles involving independent actions or mid-level management. These positions are often associated with the Tier 2 investigative level.
High Risk positions represent the most sensitive non-classified roles, holding the potential for serious damage to the public health, safety, or national security if exploited. Examples include high-level managerial positions, law enforcement officers, or roles with extensive fiduciary responsibilities, which are associated with a more thorough Tier 4 investigation. The risk level is assigned by the employing agency based on the duties of the position and dictates the depth of the background investigation.
Public Trust Versus National Security Clearance
The distinction between a Public Trust determination and a National Security Clearance is a frequent point of confusion for applicants seeking federal employment. A Public Trust determination is a suitability or fitness decision focusing on an individual’s character and conduct to determine if they can be trusted with a sensitive government position. Conversely, a National Security Clearance is an eligibility determination that grants an individual access to classified national security information.
The two processes utilize different investigative forms to gather information from the applicant. Public Trust eligibility generally requires the completion of the Standard Form 85 (SF-85) for Low Risk positions or the Standard Form 85P (SF-85P) for Moderate and High Risk Public Trust positions. By contrast, a National Security Clearance requires the more comprehensive Standard Form 86 (SF-86). While both investigations examine factors like financial integrity and criminal history, the Security Clearance process applies adjudicative guidelines that specifically assess an individual’s loyalty and potential risk to national security, such as foreign influence or unauthorized handling of protected information.
The Investigation Process and Requirements
The background investigation (BI) required for a Public Trust position is a detailed examination of an applicant’s personal history to confirm their suitability. Applicants for Moderate and High Risk positions complete the SF-85P, which asks for personal data covering the last five to seven years. The scope of this investigation includes automated checks of criminal history, a review of credit reports, and verification of past employment and education.
Investigators also contact references, former supervisors, and sometimes neighbors to corroborate the information provided by the applicant. Once the investigation is complete, the information is sent to an agency adjudicator who reviews the collected data against suitability factors outlined in 5 CFR Part 731. The adjudicator makes a final suitability determination, evaluating issues like a lack of candor, financial irresponsibility, or prior misconduct before granting the Public Trust designation.
Timeline and Reinvestigation
The duration of a Public Trust investigation is highly variable and depends on the position’s risk level, the complexity of the applicant’s history, and the current agency backlog. While some investigations may be completed in a matter of weeks, others can take six months or longer if adverse information is discovered that requires further inquiry. To ensure continued suitability for sensitive roles, the government mandates periodic reinvestigations (PR) for Public Trust positions.
Reinvestigation traditionally occurred every five years for Moderate and High Risk positions. The federal government is transitioning to a Continuous Vetting (CV) model under the Trusted Workforce 2.0 initiative, which is replacing the traditional periodic reinvestigation cycle. CV utilizes automated checks of financial, criminal, and other records to continuously monitor an employee’s suitability, ensuring the requirement for public trust is maintained throughout the individual’s tenure.