OMB Seeks to Speed Up Clearance Process

The Office of Management and Budget has sent a directive to agencies attempting to address one of the issues relating to the persistent backlog of security clearance investigations for federal employees, the “inconsistent understanding among agencies” regarding when they can accept clearances granted by other agencies versus when they must require new investigations. The clearance issue is a perennial for many federal job applicants, including current employees seeking to move to other positions, since in many cases the individual is not able to start in the new position, or at least not assume the full duties, until cleared. The guidance addresses both policy issues such as when reciprocity applies and practical issues such as data-keeping processes, and sets out a series of deadlines for various steps to be taken.