ODNI Releases SEAD-8: Policy on Interim Clearances

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) released a new Security Executive Agent Directive (SEAD-8) providing policy guidance and requirements on granting temporary (interim) access to classified national security information. SEAD-8: Temporary Eligibility outlines specific criteria all agencies must ensure are met before granting someone an interim security clearance.

For Interim Confidential, Secret, and DOE “L” clearance applicants must have the following:

• A completed SF-86 favorably reviewed by the granting agency
• Citizenship verification
• Expedited investigation in progress
• Favorable National Criminal History Check (fingerprints)

For Interim Top Secret and DOE “Q” clearance applicants must have the following:

• A completed SF-86 favorably reviewed by the granting agency
• Citizenship verification
• Expedited investigation in progress
• Favorable National Criminal History Check (fingerprints)
• Favorable FBI name check and a National Crime Information Center (NCIC) check

Once these requirements are completed, applicants must get an initial security briefing, sign a non-disclosure agreement (SF-312), and be notified that continued access is contingent upon the completion and favorable adjudication of a national security background investigation. SEAD-8 also provides time limits for interim access and one-time access requirements and procedures. Agencies are required to input interim access information into the appropriate security clearance data system used by their agency (Scattered Castles, DISS, CVS). You can read the entire directive here.