Adjudicative Processes
When your investigation is complete, it is sent to a Central Adjudications Facility (CAF). An adjudicator at a CAF will review all of the information, both “good” and “bad” (remember, the “whole person”) and assess it the information against the Federal Adjudicative Guidelines to decide if you’re eligible for a clearance or position of trust.
- If no significant adverse information turns up, you’ll be granted a clearance eligibility at the level requested by your agency.
- If significant, adverse material develops, it could mean that your case will be delayed until additional information is gathered and facts are verified. Ultimately, you may be denied a clearance.
Adjudication is the decision whether to grant or deny/revoke either a clearance or the eligibility to perform sensitive duties based upon the investigative evidence.
During the adjudication process, adjudicators use a “whole person” concept in determining whether a clearance or eligibility is to be granted. They carefully weigh the information that has been gathered during investigation, favorable and unfavorable, past and present. The employee’s strengths are evaluated to determine whether these strengths outweigh any weaknesses. Each case is judged on its own merit.