§832 Full Field Investigation and Appraisal

Summary

No one may be hired, detailed, or assigned to the Agency unless they have had a full field investigation and are cleared to see classified information. An applicant may be given conditional work without access to sensitive cryptologic information while the investigation finishes, if the Secretary allows it. If someone already has a current security clearance under equivalent rules, the Secretary may skip a new full field investigation. In wartime declared by Congress, during a national disaster, or in other rare cases when the Secretary writes that it is needed for the national interest, the Secretary may temporarily hire or assign someone and give them access to classified information before the full investigation is done, if it is clearly consistent with national security. The Director must set up one or more appraisal boards, each with three members, to help decide if a person’s access to classified information is safe when the Director has doubts. The boards review those doubtful cases and send reports and recommendations. A board review is not required before taking action under sections 7512 and 7532 of title 5 or similar laws. Board members must be specially trained, have had a full field investigation, and be cleared for classified access when appointed. The Secretary may approve access contrary to a board’s recommendation only with a written finding that it is in the national interest.