Amending the Civil Service Rules, Executive Order 13488, and Executive Order 13467 To Modernize the Executive Branch-Wide Governance Structure and Processes for Security Clearances, Suitability and Fitness for Employment, and Credentialing, and Related Matters

2017-01-23Executive Order 13764
Signed by: Barack Obama
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Headline: Modernizes Federal Vetting and Security Clearance Governance Across Government

What it does: Agencies must adopt aligned vetting policies, accept reciprocal investigations, and implement continuous vetting under new Council and Executive Agent oversight.

Real World Impact:
  • Standardizes background checks and clearance decisions across federal agencies.
  • Creates a centralized investigations bureau (NBIB) for government background checks.
  • Requires agencies to share investigation data and accept reciprocal determinations.
Topics: security clearances, background checks, government hiring, federal IT systems, national security

Summary

This order updates how the federal government handles background checks, security clearances, fitness, suitability, and federal credentials. It revises civil service rules and amends previous orders to align standards and processes across agencies.

It creates a Performance Accountability Council, names the Office of Personnel Management and the Director of National Intelligence as executive agents, and establishes the National Background Investigations Bureau (NBIB) to run investigations. The goal is more consistent, timely, and secure vetting of federal employees, contractors, military members, and others who work for or with the government.

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