SF-86 Employment History: 7 or 10 Years?
It's both, and that's why people get confused. The employment list covers 10 years. Some questions about each job only look back 7. Here's the breakdown.
The Short Answer
- 10 years: Section 13A asks you to list all employment activities, starting with the present and working back 10 years. The entire period must be accounted for without breaks.
- 7 years: within each job, the form asks whether certain things happened in the last seven (7) years, such as being fired, or receiving a written warning or discipline for misconduct.
What Counts as an Employment Activity
The 10-year list includes more than paid jobs: - Active military duty, Reserve and National Guard service - Federal, state, contractor, and private-sector jobs - Self-employment - Unemployment, with someone who can verify it
Rules People Miss
- Military: list a separate entry for each change of duty station.
- Same employer, different location: use a separate entry for each physical address.
- Before age 18: don't list jobs before your 18th birthday unless you need them to show at least 2 years of employment history.
- Former federal service: Section 13B asks about earlier federal civilian jobs not already listed.
7 vs 10 at a Glance
| Question | Lookback |
|---|---|
| List of employment activities (13A) | 10 years, no breaks |
| Fired, quit after being told, or left after allegations | 7 years |
| Written warnings, reprimands, suspensions, or discipline | 7 years |
| Where you lived (Section 11) | 10 years, no breaks |
Other Forms Use Different Periods
Public trust and non-sensitive positions use other forms, such as the SF-85P or SF-85, with their own instructions and lookbacks. Check the instructions for the form your sponsor sends.
How to Rebuild Your Work History
- Pull your Social Security earnings record from my Social Security to see employers by year.
- Use offer letters, W-2s, pay stubs, and LinkedIn to pin down dates and supervisors.
- Turn every gap of 30 days or more into an unemployment entry, with a verifier.
- Estimate when you have to, check Estimated, and explain in the comments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the SF-86 ask for 7 or 10 years of employment?
The employment list in Section 13A covers 10 years with no breaks. Certain questions about each job, such as firings or discipline, look back 7 years.
Do I list unemployment on the SF-86?
Yes. Periods of unemployment are employment activities on the SF-86, and you provide someone who can verify them.
Do I need to list jobs from before I turned 18?
Not unless you need them to show at least 2 years of employment history, per the form's instructions.