SFPC Exam Prep questions and
verified Answers 2026
What are special-sensitive positions? - ANSWER-Civilian position with potential for
inestimable damage to NS or inestimable adverse impact to the efficiency of the
DoD/Military; consists of SCI, SAP, or positions the DoD component head determines to
be at a higher level of security
What are critical-sensitive positions? - ANSWER-A civilian NS position that has the
potential to cause exceptionally grave damage to NS; consists of TOP SECRET duties,
fiduciary duties or designation from DoD component head
What are noncritical sensitive positions? - ANSWER-A civilian NS position with the
potential to cause significant or serious damage to NS; consists of positions requiring
access to CONFIDENTIAL/SECRET info
Define the Hatch Act of 1939 - ANSWER-Established the initial guidelines for personnel
security - requiring employees to pledge allegiance to the US
What are the objectives of Joint Clearance and Access Verification System (JCAVS)? -
ANSWER-1. Update security accesses
2. Allow communication amongst other offices and CAFs
3. Facilitate management tasks (personnel actions/reports/notifications)
What is the objective of JPAS? - ANSWER-JPAS uses a centralized database with
computer processing and application programs for standard DoD PERSEC processes.
Comprises JCAVS and JAMS
Define and describe CATS - ANSWER-Case Adjudication Tracking System - used by
DoD CAF adjudicators to review electronic PSIs completed by NBIB
What is DISS and what two programs does it replace? - ANSWER-Defense Information
System for Security. It replaces CATS and JPAS
What are the 4 information advisements required under the Privacy Act of 1974? -
ANSWER-1. Under what authority is the information being gathered?
2. What is the principal purpose for gathering the information?
3. How will the information routinely be used?
4. Is providing the information mandatory or voluntary; what are the consequences for
refusal to provide information
What are the 5 elements of PERSEC? - ANSWER-1. Designation
2. Investigation
, 3. Adjudication
4. Reinvestigation
5. Continuous Evaluation
What is the 5 criteria adjudicators use when determining eligibility for a security
clearance? - ANSWER-1. Honesty
2. Reliability
3. Character
4. Loyalty
5. Trustworthiness
Define continuous evaluation - ANSWER-uninterrupted assessment of an individual for
retention of a security clearance eligibility or a continuing assignment to sensitive duties
What does the Continuous Evaluation Program (CEP) do? - ANSWER-Monitors
employees for new information or changes since the last investigation or reinvestigation
What the prerequisites for interim clearance eligibility? - ANSWER-1. Valid need for
access
2. Favorable review of SF-86
3. All minimum requirements are met
What are the 4 civilian personnel designations? - ANSWER-1. Special-sensitive
2. Critical-sensitive
3. Noncritical-sensitive
4. Nonsensitive
What are the standards for creating classified working papers? - ANSWER-1. They are
dated upon creation
2. They are marked with the classification and "WOKRING PAPERS"
3. They are destroyed when no long needed or brought into accountability (180 days)
Name the classified coversheet titles? - ANSWER-SF-703 = TOP SECRET
SF-704 = SECRET
SF-705 = CONFIDENTIAL
Original Classification - ANSWER-Determines in the info is official government info,
classification eligibility (including threat and level), duration of classification, and
communicates the decision
Derivative Classification - ANSWER-an assumed responsibility of anyone who applies
markings for a new document or material conveying classified info
Scheduled Declassification - ANSWER-Occurs when the instructions assigned by the
OCA are followed (instructions consist of either a date or event)
verified Answers 2026
What are special-sensitive positions? - ANSWER-Civilian position with potential for
inestimable damage to NS or inestimable adverse impact to the efficiency of the
DoD/Military; consists of SCI, SAP, or positions the DoD component head determines to
be at a higher level of security
What are critical-sensitive positions? - ANSWER-A civilian NS position that has the
potential to cause exceptionally grave damage to NS; consists of TOP SECRET duties,
fiduciary duties or designation from DoD component head
What are noncritical sensitive positions? - ANSWER-A civilian NS position with the
potential to cause significant or serious damage to NS; consists of positions requiring
access to CONFIDENTIAL/SECRET info
Define the Hatch Act of 1939 - ANSWER-Established the initial guidelines for personnel
security - requiring employees to pledge allegiance to the US
What are the objectives of Joint Clearance and Access Verification System (JCAVS)? -
ANSWER-1. Update security accesses
2. Allow communication amongst other offices and CAFs
3. Facilitate management tasks (personnel actions/reports/notifications)
What is the objective of JPAS? - ANSWER-JPAS uses a centralized database with
computer processing and application programs for standard DoD PERSEC processes.
Comprises JCAVS and JAMS
Define and describe CATS - ANSWER-Case Adjudication Tracking System - used by
DoD CAF adjudicators to review electronic PSIs completed by NBIB
What is DISS and what two programs does it replace? - ANSWER-Defense Information
System for Security. It replaces CATS and JPAS
What are the 4 information advisements required under the Privacy Act of 1974? -
ANSWER-1. Under what authority is the information being gathered?
2. What is the principal purpose for gathering the information?
3. How will the information routinely be used?
4. Is providing the information mandatory or voluntary; what are the consequences for
refusal to provide information
What are the 5 elements of PERSEC? - ANSWER-1. Designation
2. Investigation
, 3. Adjudication
4. Reinvestigation
5. Continuous Evaluation
What is the 5 criteria adjudicators use when determining eligibility for a security
clearance? - ANSWER-1. Honesty
2. Reliability
3. Character
4. Loyalty
5. Trustworthiness
Define continuous evaluation - ANSWER-uninterrupted assessment of an individual for
retention of a security clearance eligibility or a continuing assignment to sensitive duties
What does the Continuous Evaluation Program (CEP) do? - ANSWER-Monitors
employees for new information or changes since the last investigation or reinvestigation
What the prerequisites for interim clearance eligibility? - ANSWER-1. Valid need for
access
2. Favorable review of SF-86
3. All minimum requirements are met
What are the 4 civilian personnel designations? - ANSWER-1. Special-sensitive
2. Critical-sensitive
3. Noncritical-sensitive
4. Nonsensitive
What are the standards for creating classified working papers? - ANSWER-1. They are
dated upon creation
2. They are marked with the classification and "WOKRING PAPERS"
3. They are destroyed when no long needed or brought into accountability (180 days)
Name the classified coversheet titles? - ANSWER-SF-703 = TOP SECRET
SF-704 = SECRET
SF-705 = CONFIDENTIAL
Original Classification - ANSWER-Determines in the info is official government info,
classification eligibility (including threat and level), duration of classification, and
communicates the decision
Derivative Classification - ANSWER-an assumed responsibility of anyone who applies
markings for a new document or material conveying classified info
Scheduled Declassification - ANSWER-Occurs when the instructions assigned by the
OCA are followed (instructions consist of either a date or event)
