OPM Clearances
OPM clearances, conducted by the Office of Personnel Management, are used by the Department of Defense (DoD) to assist in making a final determination as to whether or not to grant individuals access to sensitive information relevant to national security. OPM conducts background investigations on those applicants requesting access to confidential, secret, or top secret information. If OPM clearances are not obtained, the individuals requesting security clearance will most likely be denied security clearance by the DoD.
OPM clearances require individuals to provide detailed information regarding their personal and professional history. OPM clearances call for the completion of a security clearance questionnaire, fingerprints, credit checks, criminal history record checks, and interviews with those familiar with the applicant. The applicant may be interviewed as well. OPM clearances will be granted if no unfavorable information is discovered through the investigative process. If unfavorable information is uncovered, the individual may be denied security clearance.
When an individual is denied security clearance, the individual may need to retain the services of an experienced attorney. Because OPM clearances are crucial to obtaining security clearance, it is essential that individuals understand the security clearance process and be well prepared to answer any and all questions posed by OPM or the DoD. An attorney well-versed in security clearance guidelines can offer the legal representation and counsel that individuals attempting to obtain security clearance need.