Personnel Security Clearances (PCL): A practical guide for contractors
How are personnel security clearances processed?
Individuals cannot apply for their own security clearances — they must be sponsored by a cleared organization. A typical workflow looks like:
- The FSO initiates the request through DISS/NBIS
- The employee completes the SF-86 through eApp
- DCSA conducts the background investigation
- DCSA Adjudication and Vetting Services (AVS) makes an eligibility determination
- The FSO is notified of the decision
- The employee is briefed and signs required NDAs
What are the different clearance levels?
| Level | Access | Typical investigation |
|---|---|---|
| Confidential | Confidential information | Tier 1 (T1) / NAC-type checks |
| Secret | Secret and below | Tier 3 (T3) |
| Top Secret | Top Secret and below | Tier 5 (T5) |
| TS/SCI | Sensitive Compartmented Information | T5 + additional adjudication/indoctrination |
What is Continuous Evaluation (CE)?
Continuous Evaluation (previously called Continuous Vetting or CV) is an ongoing review process that supplements periodic reinvestigations. Rather than checking every 5–6 years only, CE uses automated record checks to identify potential issues between investigations. Cleared contractor personnel are enrolled in CE.
FCL vs. PCL: what’s the difference?
The facility clearance (FCL) is about the organization’s eligibility to access classified information. The personnel clearance (PCL) is about an individual’s eligibility and trustworthiness.
| Facility Clearance (FCL) | Personnel Clearance (PCL) |
|---|---|
| Applies to the organization/facility | Applies to an individual person |
| Maintained through compliance and DCSA reviews | Maintained through CE + periodic reinvestigation |
| Requires designated FSO/ITPSO and cleared KMP (as required) | Requires SF-86, investigation, and adjudication |
How does FCL Simple help with personnel security management?
- DISS subject export import/export for current records
- Clearance lifecycle tracking and visibility
- Training certification tracking with renewal notifications
- Self-service portal for employees to view status and upload certs
- Visit authorization support tracking
Training is usually the next big operational burden. Here’s a guide to the common NISPOM training requirements.