Suitability and Credentialing Oversight Test

According to Executive Order 13467, as amended, the Suitability and Credentialing Executive Agent is responsible for the below functions. Whether the SuitEA is prescribing standards, taking suitability actions, or granting authority for the administration of polygraphs, the SuitEA's Oversight group is dedicated to performing program reviews in order to fulfill the SuitEA's oversight functions.

SuitEA Responsibilities according to EO 13467, as amended: 

a)    responsibility for suitability and fitness by prescribing suitability standards and minimum standards of fitness for employment;

b)    prescribing position designation requirements with regard to risk to the efficiency and integrity of the service;

c)    prescribing applicable investigative standards, policies, and procedures for suitability and fitness;

d)    prescribing suitability and fitness reciprocity standards;

e)    making suitability determinations;

f)     taking suitability actions;

g)    promoting reciprocal recognition of suitability or fitness determinations among the agencies;

h)    approving and renewing agencies’ requests to administer polygraphs in connection with appointment in the competitive service;

i)      continuing review of agency programs for suitability and fitness vetting to determine whether they are being implemented according to EO 13467; and

j)      prescribing performance standards and a system of oversight for any suitability or fitness function delegated by the Director to the head of another agency, including uniform and consistent policies and procedures to ensure the effective, efficient, timely, and secure completion of delegated functions.

As part of the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM’s) oversight responsibility, as stated in Executive Order 13467, as amended, OPM maintains an assessment program to provide for onsite validation of metrics, policy, practices, and agency compliance with regulatory requirements regarding the personnel security and suitability programs.

Purpose

• To support personnel security, suitability, fitness and credentialing requirements specifically for competitive service personnel and generally for persons working for and on behalf of the Federal Government
• To ensure efficient and effective processes in support of reciprocal recognition of security and suitability investigations across government

Areas of Review

• Designation of Position Risk and Sensitivity
• Pre-Appointment Screening
• Reciprocity
• Investigation Request Timeliness and Quality
• Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-12 Internal Controls
• Adjudications (National Security and Suitability)
• Record Retention
• Adjudicator Training and Qualifications

For questions related to SuitEA’s program reviews, please contact SuitEA@opm.gov.