SFPC Exam Prep Questions and Answers 2023 (Verified
Answers)
What are the 5 elements of PERSEC?
1. Designation
2. Investigation
3. Adjudication
4. Reinvestigation
5. Continuous Evaluation
What is the 5 criteria adjudicators use when determining eligibility for a security
clearance?
1. Honesty
2. Reliability
3. Character
4. Loyalty
5. Trustworthiness
Define continuous evaluation
uninterrupted assessment of an individual for retention of a security clearance eligibility
or a continuing assignment to sensitive duties
What does the Continuous Evaluation Program (CEP) do?
Monitors employees for new information or changes since the last investigation or
reinvestigation
What the prerequisites for interim clearance eligibility?
1. Valid need for access
2. Favorable review of SF-86
3. All minimum requirements are met
What are the 4 civilian personnel designations?
1. Special-sensitive
2. Critical-sensitive
3. Noncritical-sensitive
4. Nonsensitive
What are special-sensitive positions?
Civilian position with potential for inestimable damage to NS or inestimable adverse
impact to the efficiency of the DoD/Military; consists of SCI, SAP, or positions the DoD
component head determines to be at a higher level of security
What are critical-sensitive positions?
A civilian NS position that has the potential to cause exceptionally grave damage to NS;
consists of TOP SECRET duties, fiduciary duties or designation from DoD component
head
What are noncritical sensitive positions?
A civilian NS position with the potential to cause significant or serious damage to NS;
consists of positions requiring access to CONFIDENTIAL/SECRET info
Define the Hatch Act of 1939
Established the initial guidelines for personnel security - requiring employees to pledge
allegiance to the US
, What are the objectives of Joint Clearance and Access Verification System (JCAVS)?
1. Update security accesses
2. Allow communication amongst other offices and CAFs
3. Facilitate management tasks (personnel actions/reports/notifications)
What is the objective of JPAS?
JPAS uses a centralized database with computer processing and application programs
for standard DoD PERSEC processes. Comprises JCAVS and JAMS
Define and describe CATS
Case Adjudication Tracking System - used by DoD CAF adjudicators to review
electronic PSIs completed by NBIB
What is DISS and what two programs does it replace?
Defense Information System for Security. It replaces CATS and JPAS
What are the 4 information advisements required under the Privacy Act of 1974?
1. Under what authority is the information being gathered?
2. What is the principal purpose for gathering the information?
3. How will the information routinely be used?
4. Is providing the information mandatory or voluntary; what are the consequences for
refusal to provide information
What are the standards for creating classified working papers?
1. They are dated upon creation
2. They are marked with the classification and "WOKRING PAPERS"
3. They are destroyed when no long needed or brought into accountability (180 days)
Name the classified coversheet titles?
SF-703 = TOP SECRET
SF-704 = SECRET
SF-705 = CONFIDENTIAL
Original Classification
Determines in the info is official government info, classification eligibility (including threat
and level), duration of classification, and communicates the decision
Derivative Classification
an assumed responsibility of anyone who applies markings for a new document or
material conveying classified info
Scheduled Declassification
Occurs when the instructions assigned by the OCA are followed (instructions consist of
either a date or event)
Automatic Declassification
Classified records that have been determined to have permanent historical value under
Title 44 of USC are automatically declassified on Dec 31 of the year that is 25 years
from the date of its original classification
Mandatory Declassification Review
Initiates a declassification review as requested from the public. The originating agency
must respond to the request in a timely manner
What the 6 Steps of Original Classification?
1. Government info confirmation
2. Eligibility
3. Impact
Answers)
What are the 5 elements of PERSEC?
1. Designation
2. Investigation
3. Adjudication
4. Reinvestigation
5. Continuous Evaluation
What is the 5 criteria adjudicators use when determining eligibility for a security
clearance?
1. Honesty
2. Reliability
3. Character
4. Loyalty
5. Trustworthiness
Define continuous evaluation
uninterrupted assessment of an individual for retention of a security clearance eligibility
or a continuing assignment to sensitive duties
What does the Continuous Evaluation Program (CEP) do?
Monitors employees for new information or changes since the last investigation or
reinvestigation
What the prerequisites for interim clearance eligibility?
1. Valid need for access
2. Favorable review of SF-86
3. All minimum requirements are met
What are the 4 civilian personnel designations?
1. Special-sensitive
2. Critical-sensitive
3. Noncritical-sensitive
4. Nonsensitive
What are special-sensitive positions?
Civilian position with potential for inestimable damage to NS or inestimable adverse
impact to the efficiency of the DoD/Military; consists of SCI, SAP, or positions the DoD
component head determines to be at a higher level of security
What are critical-sensitive positions?
A civilian NS position that has the potential to cause exceptionally grave damage to NS;
consists of TOP SECRET duties, fiduciary duties or designation from DoD component
head
What are noncritical sensitive positions?
A civilian NS position with the potential to cause significant or serious damage to NS;
consists of positions requiring access to CONFIDENTIAL/SECRET info
Define the Hatch Act of 1939
Established the initial guidelines for personnel security - requiring employees to pledge
allegiance to the US
, What are the objectives of Joint Clearance and Access Verification System (JCAVS)?
1. Update security accesses
2. Allow communication amongst other offices and CAFs
3. Facilitate management tasks (personnel actions/reports/notifications)
What is the objective of JPAS?
JPAS uses a centralized database with computer processing and application programs
for standard DoD PERSEC processes. Comprises JCAVS and JAMS
Define and describe CATS
Case Adjudication Tracking System - used by DoD CAF adjudicators to review
electronic PSIs completed by NBIB
What is DISS and what two programs does it replace?
Defense Information System for Security. It replaces CATS and JPAS
What are the 4 information advisements required under the Privacy Act of 1974?
1. Under what authority is the information being gathered?
2. What is the principal purpose for gathering the information?
3. How will the information routinely be used?
4. Is providing the information mandatory or voluntary; what are the consequences for
refusal to provide information
What are the standards for creating classified working papers?
1. They are dated upon creation
2. They are marked with the classification and "WOKRING PAPERS"
3. They are destroyed when no long needed or brought into accountability (180 days)
Name the classified coversheet titles?
SF-703 = TOP SECRET
SF-704 = SECRET
SF-705 = CONFIDENTIAL
Original Classification
Determines in the info is official government info, classification eligibility (including threat
and level), duration of classification, and communicates the decision
Derivative Classification
an assumed responsibility of anyone who applies markings for a new document or
material conveying classified info
Scheduled Declassification
Occurs when the instructions assigned by the OCA are followed (instructions consist of
either a date or event)
Automatic Declassification
Classified records that have been determined to have permanent historical value under
Title 44 of USC are automatically declassified on Dec 31 of the year that is 25 years
from the date of its original classification
Mandatory Declassification Review
Initiates a declassification review as requested from the public. The originating agency
must respond to the request in a timely manner
What the 6 Steps of Original Classification?
1. Government info confirmation
2. Eligibility
3. Impact
