What is a NACI security clearance?
A. An NACI (National Agency Check with Inquiries) is not a clearance. It is a federal background investigation conducted to determine an applicant’s suitability for federal employment and/or to determine an applicant’s (federal or contractor) eligibility for a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card (also known as a PIV credential) required for physical access to federally controlled facilities or logical access to federally controlled information technology systems. Federal employment suitability determinations are mandated by Title 5 Code of Federal Regulations Part 731 and PIV Cards are mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12. Within the Department of Defense PIV Cards are known as Common Access Cards (CAC). For more information about the various federal background investigations and clearances, see my Federal Security/Suitability Clearance Chart and review Chapter 1 of my book, Security Clearance Manual. Q1. If I used drugs over a year ago while in college, will I