Suitability vs. Clearance
Suitability and security clearance are two separate determinations that may both be required for federal employment. They serve different purposes and are governed by different standards, though they often use overlapping information from background investigations.
Quick Facts
| Suitability | Fitness for federal employment |
| Clearance | Eligibility to access classified information |
| Authority | Different regulations govern each |
| Possible outcomes | Can pass one and fail the other |
Key Differences
| Aspect | Suitability | Security Clearance |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Can you work for the government? | Can you access classified info? |
| Standard | Character, conduct, fitness | National security risk |
| Authority | 5 CFR 731 | EO 12968, SEAD 4 |
| Investigation | Tier 1-4 | Tier 3 or 5 |
| Adjudicator | Agency HR/Security | CAF or agency security |
| Applies to | All federal jobs | Only positions requiring access |
Suitability Determinations
Suitability evaluates whether you're fit for federal employment[3]:
Factors considered:
- Misconduct or negligence in prior employment
- Criminal or dishonest conduct
- Intentional false statements
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Illegal use of narcotics
- Acts of violence
- Reasonable doubt about loyalty
- Repeated inability to meet obligations
Suitability focuses on your reliability and trustworthiness as a potential employee.
Security Clearance Determinations
Clearance eligibility evaluates national security risk[1]:
Factors considered (SEAD 4):
- Foreign influence and preference
- Financial considerations
- Criminal conduct
- Drug involvement
- Personal conduct and honesty
- 13 total adjudicative guideline areas
Clearance focuses on whether access to classified information would pose unacceptable risk.
How They Interact
The two determinations can have different outcomes[2]:
Scenario 1: Need both
- Position requires clearance AND is federal employment
- Must pass both suitability and clearance
Scenario 2: Clearance only
- Contractor position requiring clearance
- Suitability may not apply (depends on contract)
Scenario 3: Suitability only
- Federal job without classified access
- Only suitability determination needed
Different Outcomes Possible
You can:
- Pass both - Eligible for cleared federal employment
- Pass suitability, fail clearance - Can work federal jobs without classified access
- Fail suitability, pass clearance - Unusual but possible; can't work federal but might work contractor
- Fail both - Not eligible for most cleared positions
Public Trust Positions
Some positions require a public trust determination rather than a clearance[3]:
- Access to sensitive but unclassified information
- Fiduciary responsibilities
- Public health and safety roles
Public trust investigations (Tier 2 or 4) evaluate suitability at higher scrutiny levels.
Investigation Reuse
Information from one investigation can inform the other:
- Same background investigation may support both determinations
- Different adjudicators may reach different conclusions
- Agencies may share investigation results
Related
References
- ^ Security Clearance Process: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions. Congressional Research Service. Accessed 2026-01-10.
- ^ DoDI 5200.02: DoD Personnel Security Program. Department of Defense. Accessed 2026-01-08.
- ^ What are background checks and security clearances?. USAJOBS. Accessed 2026-01-10.