Suitability Denial from FBI — Impact on Secret Clearance and Adjudication?

SECURITY CLEARANCE Q&A
1

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping to get some advice regarding my situation.

I recently received an email from the FBI stating that I was no longer being considered for employment due to not meeting their suitability standards. The letter specifically said this was not a denial of a security clearance. I was previously in adjudication for this position since March.

Separately, I have already accepted another federal offer that requires a Secret clearance. I’m wondering:
• Is my current clearance adjudication still proceeding despite the FBI suitability denial?
• Will the FBI’s suitability finding impact my Secret clearance process for the new position?

For context, I believe the suitability denial may have been due to an honest mistake on my SF-86 (I initially omitted some previous employment but corrected it later). I have also submitted a FOIA request to get more clarity.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated—especially if anyone has gone through something similar.

Thank you!

2

Your clearance processing will not be proceeding with FBI. That doesn’t mean you cant process with another agency but you will need a new sponsor and start all over. Sorry dude. Lots of ppl stay away from FBI because of this.

3

Thanks, I appreciate the clarification — no problem at all. The clearance I was processing for with the FBI was for TS/SCI with polygraph, but thankfully I’ve already accepted another defense contractor position that just requires a Secret clearance.

This time around, I’ll be extra careful to thoroughly complete my SF-86 and address any possible misunderstandings that might have contributed to the FBI suitability decision.

I do have a question though:

Will the FBI suitability denial affect my chances of passing this new Secret clearance?

When asked about previous investigations, do I need to disclose that my prior investigation was discontinued because of a suitability determination (even though it wasn’t a clearance denial)?

Thanks again for any insight — trying to make sure I handle everything correctly this time around.