How to Prepare for a Reinvestigation
Your second or third SF-86 is easier than the first, but only if you kept track of what changed. Here's a checklist to get it done in an evening, not a week.
Why You're Being Asked
Under Trusted Workforce 2.0, many clearance holders are enrolled in continuous vetting instead of waiting for a fixed 5- or 10-year reinvestigation. You may still be asked to submit an updated questionnaire through NBIS eApp, for example at enrollment or when your agency needs a fresh one.
Start From Your Last Form
If you have a copy of your previous SF-86, start there. eApp may carry forward some of your earlier answers. Focus on what changed since you last submitted it.
What Usually Changed
| Area | What to check |
|---|---|
| Residences | Every move since your last form, with someone who knew you for the last 3 years |
| Employment | New jobs, supervisors, and any gaps between jobs |
| Foreign travel | Every trip in the last 7 years, and when you reported it |
| Foreign contacts | New close or continuing contacts |
| Family | Marriage, divorce, new household members |
| Finances | New debts, delinquencies, or resolved issues |
| References | Three people who know you well now, not relatives |
A One-Evening Plan
- Pull a free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com for addresses and accounts.
- Search your email for leases, offer letters, and travel bookings.
- Check your self-reports against your travel and contact log so the dates match.
- Text your three references to confirm their current contact info.
- Fill gaps before you open eApp, not during.
Keep It Ready Next Time
Log changes as they happen. ClearanceTrail keeps your whole career, older entries included, with checks for gaps, overlaps, missing supervisors, and unreported travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often are reinvestigations now?
Many clearance holders are enrolled in continuous vetting under Trusted Workforce 2.0, which replaces fixed-interval reinvestigations with ongoing checks. You may still be asked for an updated questionnaire.
Do I need a copy of my old SF-86?
It helps a lot. Ask your security office how to get a copy if you didn't keep one, and keep any printout private.
Should my new answers match what I self-reported?
Your answers should be accurate. Comparing your self-reports with your records helps you catch date mistakes before you submit.