A new SF86, the application form used to issue security clearances, is being released this week and will be implemented sometime in August. Many of the changes are procedural and designed to make it easier for individuals to submit complete forms. These changes include updating the options for providing phone information (since the days of everyone having a ‘home’ phone are behind us), a tool to help find school addresses, and a clarification for derivative citizenship (citizenship you obtained via birth, not application).

The two big changes relate to mental health and drug use.

All Drug Use Must Be Noted

The SF86 has always asked about illegal drug use, but the question has become more confusing in recent years with eight states legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. Many security clearance applicants assume… (For more, click here.)

Has the issue of legal drug use and security clearances been a problem at your agency? Are you using the updated SF86 to help streamline the clearance process?