OPM Reference Guide Offers e-QIP Helpful Tips
The OPM Quick Reference Guide is designed to assist applicants who are completing the Questionnaires for National Security, Public Trust and Non-sensitive positions using the Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (e-QIP) system.
The Guide contains step-by-step guidance as well as a number of FAQs to ensure that e-QIP is completed properly. In addition to the selection of common questions listed here, readers can visit the OPM website at http://www.opm.gov/investigations/e-qip-application/#url=Quick-Reference -Guide where the entire Quick Reference Guide is posted.
Why am I being required to have a background investigation? The scope and type of background investigation varies depending on the duties and access requirements for the position, as does the amount of time it takes to be completed. The employing or sponsoring agency is responsible for determining the appropriate level of investigation to be conducted based on current rules and procedures.
Is completing the form mandatory in order to get a position in the Federal Government? Providing the information requested on the form is voluntary. However, if you do not provide the information requested, you will not meet the requirements of the job and therefore will not be considered further. If you are already employed by the Federal Government, your appointment will be terminated.
Be completely honest and forthright when answering all questions on the form. If necessary, provide clarification or explanation for how you answered a particular question in the Optional Comment section provided in e-QIP.
How much time do I have to complete the form? Be as timely as possible in completing your investigation request. You should earnestly try to meet the deadline your agency has established for you to complete this form.
What happens to all the personal information I enter into e-QIP? Is it safe? Security is of major concern whenever you're dealing with personal information. This concern has been addressed by specific Federal guidelines implemented to safeguard Personally Identifiable Information (PII). PII is defined as information that can be used to discern or trace a person's identity; and alone, or combined with other information, can be used to compromise the integrity of records relating to a person by permitting unauthorized access to or unauthorized disclosure of these records.
Several security measures have been built into e-QIP to help minimize unauthorized access to your information:
- e-QIP uses layered security to stop hackers and limit access to personal data. Transport Layer Security (TLS) and its predecessor, Secure Socket Layer (SSL), are cryptographic protocols that provide security for communications over networks such as the Internet. TLS and SSL encrypt the segments of network connections at the application layer to ensure secure end-to-end transit at the transport layer.
- All internet-based data transmissions are encrypted using 128-bit encryption provided through common browser SSL technology.
- e-QIP requires that TLS 1.0 be enabled in the user's browser. Without this setting, users get a "Page Cannot be Displayed" error.
- To log into e-QIP, each user must answer a series of unique questions, referred to as Golden Questions.
- Only persons with active investigation requests can log into e-QIP.
- e-QIP has been tested through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Certification and Accreditation process and is compliant with all requirements.
- It is OPM policy to ensure that all information technology (IT) systems that collect, maintain, or disseminate information in an identifiable form have Federally mandated controls in place to protect and prevent the breach of PII. Learn more about OPM's privacy policies.
What do I need in order to complete the form? To complete your e-QIP investigation request form you will need access to a computer with an internet connection and a web browser. You should also gather the following information:
Proof of citizenship, if applicable, such as: passport, Citizenship Certificate, Naturalization Certificate, or Alien Registration Number. You may be able to obtain assistance with lost or unknown information at the
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.
Employment history
- Current and previous work location addresses
- Supervisor names, addresses, and contact information
- Personal residence(s)
- Name, address, and phone number of a person who knew you at
each address.
Note: All contact information must include a physical address. PO Boxes are unacceptable. APO/FPO is allowed. For assistance in locating address information refer to
Google Maps.
- Three personal references
- Relatives' citizenship information, aliases, employer, and foreign
activities
- Selective Service ID number, if applicable. If you need your
Service Number call 1-847-688-6888 or visit the Selective Service
System website.
Configuring Your Browser -- e-QIP is designed to be accessible from any computer, anywhere in the world. You can use your personal computer at home or at the office. e-QIP is compatible with most well-known browsers including Microsoft's Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Apple Safari. The procedures outlined in the
Guide will help you configure your browser to work with e-QIP.
Log into e-QIP -- Once you have accessed the e-QIP login screen, follow the steps below to log into e-QIP:
- Type your Social Security Number (SSN) into the Social Security
Number field - Press the [Tab] key to move to the next SSN field
- Click 'Submit'
Answer the Golden Questions -- If you entered your SSN correctly, you will next see a screen that asks you to answer three "Golden Questions"
If this is your first time logging into e-QIP, the "default" Golden Questions display. These ask for your last name, city of birth, and four digit year of birth. Once you answer these correctly, the system will prompt you to create three new Golden Questions and Answers. If you have logged into e-QIP at some other time, your previously created personal Golden Questions will display.
Note: If questions other than the "defaults" (listed above) are displayed, you have either entered your SSN incorrectly, not yet been initiated in e-QIP, or exceeded the time frame for logging in after your request was initiated. Please try again. If you continue to experience an issue, you must contact DPSAC for assistance.
To answer the Golden Questions -- Type the answer to each question in the 'Answer' field. To see the responses as you type, click the checkbox above the questions labeled 'Allow me to see my Golden Answers as I type them.'
Create a New Set of Golden Questions (First Login Only) -- The first time you log into e-QIP, the three default Golden Questions display. Once you answer these correctly, the system will prompt you to create a set of three new Golden Questions and Answers.
Golden Questions are one of several security measures that have been built into e-QIP to help minimize unauthorized access to your information. Golden Questions enable e-QIP to verify your identity. Create a combination of Golden Questions for which only you will know the correct answers. It is best to use a one word answer to minimize login error.
To create a new set of Golden Questions -- Select a set of questions that only you know the answers to. Keep in mind these guidelines:
- Do not repeat any of the defaults
- Questions can be phrases
- Answers must have at least three characters
- Capitalization does not matter
- Spelling and punctuation must match exactly
- Each answer must be unique
- You cannot leave a question or answer area blank
Remember! It may be several years before you return to the e-QIP system to complete a reinvestigation, so it is recommended that you use responses that you will remember in the distant future.
If you wish, click the checkbox above the questions labeled 'Allow me to see my Golden Answers as I type them' to see the responses as you type.
Note: Do not allow anyone to see your computer screen while your answers are on the screen.
- Type each question into the 'Question' field
- Type the corresponding answer into each 'Answer' field
- Click 'Submit'
It is your responsibility to remember your Golden Questions. It is also important to protect the answers to your Golden Questions. These are your "password" to the e-QIP system.
Note: If you cannot remember the responses to your Golden Questions, or if you encounter any other issues with logging in, you must contact DPSAC to have them reset your Golden Questions.
After you have successfully logged into e-QIP by entering your SSN and answering the Golden Questions, you'll see the "Complete an Investigation Request" screen.
- Verify your personal data displayed at the top of the 'Select Investigation Request' screen.
- When you are ready to begin completing the form, click the link that says "Enter Your Data."
Note: If you have been sponsored by multiple agencies within e-QIP at the same time, you may have multiple e-QIP request numbers here. Make sure that you select the correct link for the request you want to complete.
Reviewing the Form Completion Instructions -- Prior to entering data for the first time, you must read the instructions on the "Form Completion Instructions" screen.
- Confirm that you have read and understand the form completion instructions and disclaimer by clicking 'Continue.'
You will also be shown a disclaimer screen that provides additional instructions required by Executive Order 12968.
- You must indicate that you have read and understand the additional instructions by clicking the corresponding button at the bottom of the page in order to proceed.
You are now ready to complete your questionnaire.
Read the entire form thoroughly and answer the questions truthfully.
Use the [Tab] key to navigate through fields and complete the questions. Do not use the browser's Forward or Back buttons or the system will log you out as a security precaution.
Click the 'Reset this Screen' button at any time prior to clicking the 'Save' button if you make a mistake and want to start over on a screen. This clears all of the information you entered on that page.
- Click 'Save' or 'Save/Continue' at the bottom of each page to move forward when you are finished and ready to proceed.
Your information will be submitted and the next screen will appear. Continue until all information screens have been completed.
You may also use the Navigation drop-down menu located at the top of the screen to go to any section of the form in any order.
- Select the section and click 'Go.' Then navigate to the specific subsection desired.
- Click the 'Add Optional Comment' button when it appears to provide additional comments if desired.
You can review a copy of the form at any time by clicking the 'Display' link in the upper left corner.
Handling Error Messages and Warnings -- In order to ensure the completeness of your data, a validation routine runs each time you click 'Save' or 'Save/Continue.' The validation routine will point out any errors or warnings and provide detailed instructions on how to satisfy each missing item. You will only receive validation messages if you have not answered a question appropriately.
Validating, Reviewing, and Certifying -- When you are satisfied that your form is complete and no validation errors are present, you have the option of reviewing a display copy of your form before certifying it. You can also review the Display copy at any time as you complete the form.
To review the form before certifying:
- Click 'Display' in the upper left corner of the next screen to view the document. An html document will open in a separate browser window. When you have finished reviewing the form, close the window.
You may navigate back to previous sections of the form at this time if you need to make any changes.
- If you do not have any changes, click 'Continue.'
- Again, if you do not have any changes to the information you previously provided, click 'Certify Investigation Request' button to complete your form.
Important: Once you certify the form, your answers will be locked and the form will become unavailable for editing. You will be unable to make any further changes.
A pop-up dialog box displays informing you that the process will take 20-30 seconds.
Note: Do
not click the 'Certify Investigation Request' button more than once.
Follow the instructions provided carefully below in the order they are provided. Once you certify your form, there are a few additional steps before you can release the information to your sponsoring agency.
Completing the Signature Release Forms -- The final release of your request is completed in several steps.
- Print or save an Archival Copy of the entire form
- Print the signature forms that you will sign and send to your
sponsoring agency (DPSAC) - Add attachments
- Release and transmit the investigation request to the requesting agency
Step One: Instruction for Signature Pages, Attachments, and Archival Copy -- Review the instructions for printing the signature pages, attaching files and printing a copy for your records.
Step Two: Archival Copy -- Print and/or save an electronic copy of the information you provided on the form for your records. If you do not have printer access, log out of e-QIP and go to a computer with printer access. Then log back into e-QIP to print the forms.
To save an electronic .pdf version of this Archival Copy, you may right-click on the link shown 'Display the Archival Copy of the Investigation Request for Printing' and follow the steps to save the document in an appropriate location.
- To print, click 'Display the Archival Copy of this Investigative Request for Printing.' The archival copy will open in Adobe Reader.
Note: The archival copy and signature pages display as PDF files. You must have the free Adobe Reader to view them. You can download Adobe Reader from the
Adobe website.
- In the Adobe Reader software, click the "print" icon.
- Close the Acrobat Reader window by clicking the 'X' button in the upper right corner.
You may also save an electronic copy of this .pdf file for your records.
- You must print and/or save the Archival Copy at this point, as you will not be able to access it at a later time once you release the form.
Step Three: Signature Forms --
Signature Forms are a required part of an investigation as they authorize your Investigation Service Provider (ISP) to obtain necessary information. These are the forms you
must sign and then send to your sponsoring agency (DPSAC) by fax, mail or uploading via e-QIP. You must follow instructions provided to you by your sponsoring agency as to which option to choose to transmit these signature forms to them.
Note: The Fair Credit Report is a release form that must be submitted with all SF 86 forms to allow requests for credit checks and other financial data.
Click the 'Signature Forms' link displayed under 'Step Two Signature Forms for Printing.' This will open the signature pages in a separate window. If you do not have printer access, logout of e-QIP and go to a computer with printer access. Then log back into e-QIP to print the forms.
In the Adobe Reader software, click the print icon.
- Sign and date the release forms and certification statement:
- Use black ink
- Sign your name exactly as it appears in e-QIP (e.g., "John David Smith")
- Sign and date inside the signature box
Any corrections or overwrites must be completed using a new signature form or by drawing a single line through the error and initialing the correction
- Close the Acrobat Reader window by clicking the 'X' button in the upper right corner
Step Four: Upload or Fax Attachments -- The attachments are the Signature Forms and any other information, such as a resume, that you would like to provide your sponsoring agency as a part of your investigation.
Refer to the
Guide for descriptions of the various options for transmitting attachments. Because there are multiple options for including attachments, you must follow instructions provided to you by your sponsoring agency as to which option to choose to submit these attachments to them.
Note: Contact your sponsoring agency if you have any questions or need fax numbers or mailing addresses.
Step Five: Release and Transmit -- Important! You will not be able to access your investigation forms after you click 'Release Request/Transmit to Agency.' Be sure you have printed and/or attached all required forms, including signature forms, before clicking 'Release Request/Transmit to Agency.'
- Click 'Release Request/Transmit to Agency.' If a confirmation screen appears, you are logged out of e-QIP and your information has been transmitted to your sponsoring agency.
Congratulations! You have completed and submitted your investigation request.
If you have any questions about your investigation status, please follow up directly with your contact at your sponsoring agency.