Tier 4 and Tier 5?

SECURITY CLEARANCE Q&A
1

I have two federal job offers and I’m wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation.

Offer #1: The agency has already initiated my Tier 5 background investigation, and had my interview with investigator.

Offer #2: I recently received another offer from a different agency, and they said I’ll need to complete an SF-85P for a Tier 4.

Is it possible to have both background investigations/processes going at the same time? Or will the Tier 5 investigation interfere with or replace the Tier 4 Public Trust process?

I’m trying to understand if accepting the second offer could create any issues with the ongoing investigation for the first one. Any insight or personal experience would be appreciated, thank you.

2

Apples to Oranges so, yes they should both be able to run concurrently. Tier 4 is public trust, not a clearance. Tier 5 is for an actual clearance so a totally different process.

3

The rule use to be that you could not have 2 BI going at sametime. Not sure if that is still the case or if it matters now that OPM doesn’t run them.

4

Actually you’re right. To clarify, what they’ll do is merge the investigations. I meant you can have multiple clearances/PTs pending concurrently.

5

It’s totally possible to have two running at the same time. I’ve seen it multiple times. But, there is really no predicting what happens in the crazy mixed up secretive world of security clearances. It really is a national minefield of different skill and communication levels everywhere.

6