Suitability Adjudications

Personnel vetting is the process the government uses to make sure people working for or on behalf of the government can be trusted to protect our nation’s people, property, information, and critical missions, both when they’re hired and throughout their federal service. The vetting process is crucial to maintaining the public’s trust in the federal workforce.

It typically includes a background investigation to decide whether an individual can be trusted. The depth of the background investigation increases with the level of responsibility and trust a position requires.

Agencies must notify applicants and employees of the requirement to be investigated and at what level. With the consent of the individual, the government checks their background, such as their employment and criminal history. Agencies have some discretion in deciding whether an individual can start the job before the background investigation is completed.