Department of Homeland Security Handbook on Security Clearance and Employment Suitability Guidance

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The Department of Homeland Security Instruction Handbook on the Personnel Suitability and Security Program describes how DHS conducts suitability and fitness determinations, background investigations, and security clearance determinations for its employees and contractors.

Agency handbooks are updated periodically, and DHS procedures must now be read alongside government-wide policies such as SEAD 4 and the continuous vetting requirements of Trusted Workforce 2.0. The version below is provided for reference; confirm whether a more recent version applies to your situation.

Read the document: DHS Personnel Suitability and Security Program Handbook (PDF).

For help with a security clearance matter, see our Security Clearance & Polygraph page or contact Compass Rose Legal Group.

This resource is provided for general information and is not legal advice. Government policies change; confirm that you are relying on the current version of any document.