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I would like to know what background check form is required for the various attorney positions with the federal government. I know that DOJ requires SF-85P. What about the EPA attorneys who work in the Office of General Counsel or Office of Enforcement, Compliance, and Assurance? And what about the attorneys who work at the Solicitor's Office for the Department of the Interior? Or the attorneys who work for the Department of Energy? Do they have to apply using SF-85 or SF-85P? I am wondering because these forms are different and it does make a difference to me in deciding whether to apply for these positions at all.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission requires SF-86. I'd expect that DoE requires the SF-86 as well, but I don't know for sure.

Thank you for your response.

Anonymous User wrote:Nuclear Regulatory Commission requires SF-86. I'd expect that DoE requires the SF-86 as well, but I don't know for sure.

Thank you for your response. Do you know what the other agencies require? Is there any way you could find out so that I know before I start applying to these places?

Prime Number wrote:Is there any way you could find out so that I know before I start applying to these places?

Just call up HR and ask. They should be able to tell you pretty easily.

I've done a SF-85P (seven year) and a SF-86 (ten year) for two different DOJ positions. It may depend on what element you're applying to.

Assuming things haven't changed in the last few years, DOE is definitely SF-86 (although it can be a seven year uncleared, a seven year L, a ten year Q, or a ten year "plus" Q+W at the option of the agency), as is NNSA.

I've bounced between different security clearances for almost a decade now. There's a catchall question that all the contract investigators ask you in person, regardless of what level clearance you're going for. It's like a page long, but the gist is, "If there's anything in your past—no matter how long ago—that you were not required to disclose, but any objective person would think has any bearing at all on your fitness for this clearance, speak now."

Whatever you're form shopping for will have to be disclosed on that question. Maybe you'll luck out and they'll not interview you on an 85 (I think it depends on the investigator), but that's not a minor risk, and you'll have to foreclose. If they ding you on a clearance for not being totally honest, you can bet that your bar association is going to hear about it.