Common Terminology Used by Personnel Security in Clearance and Investigation Processing

In the personnel and industrial security world there are many words and acronyms used that clearance applicants may not be familiar with which may be confusing. Previously, I provided an article on what the Report of Investigation codes meant. Here are some terms used by security professionals who process, review, or adjudicate background investigations.

Term/Acronym	Definition
Administratively Withdrawn	An action taken to withdraw clearance eligibility due to it no longer being needed due to resignation or position change
AOR	Acknowledgement of Receipt – signed by the applicant saying they received a request
CVR	Continuous Vetting Report – adverse information reported
CNA	Closed No Action – additional information received that does not require any action
Conditional Eligibility	Applicant is granted eligibility with conditions that will be monitored for one year
Eligibility Suspended	Applicant had an interim clearance and derogatory information was received that warrants suspension of the interim clearance until the case is worked further
Eligible with Waiver	SCI investigations when the applicant has foreign national influence concerns regarding dual or foreign citizenship
Incident Report	Derogatory information provided based on reportable requirements
LOD/LOR	Letter of Denial/Letter of Revocation – used after an SOR to deny or revoke a clearance
LOI	Letter of Interrogatory – used to obtain additional information
LOJ	Loss of Jurisdiction –applicant has separated and no longer affiliated
NDM	No Determination Made – adjudicator needs more information to proceed with adjudication
Reciprocity	Applicant has an investigation from another agency that meets the standards for granting a clearance
REO	Reopen or Reimbursable Suitability Investigation – additional work on a case completed by an investigator
RFA	Request for Action –asking for more information from the applicant, command, files, or review within the CAS
SOI	Statement of Intent – receipt stating applicant‘s intent to respond to SOR with intent to respond or not respond
SOR	Statement of Reasons – document used to tell the applicant their clearance is in the process of being denied or revoked