Are drug tests administered at the security clearance interview?

Every organization establishes their own policies regarding drug tests.  Some tests are random, some routine, so check with your organization Security Officer for further guidance.


Where are drug test not administered - at or during the security clearance interview.

During your background investigation, each question on the SF-85, SF-85C, and SF-86 are researched and verified. 

The purpose of the security clearance interview allows you to clarify any of your responses, while also providing new information as it pertains to your own background investigation.

When any information you've claimed on your paperwork cannot be verified during your investigation, the person conducting your security clearance interview shall identify all discrepancies to you.  This is your first opportunity to provide an explanation regarding each discrepancy.

Let's say during your investigation your educational qualifications couldn't be verified.  Thankfully, a majority of schools maintain very accurate records these days, and provide current and former students multiple ways to obtain their own educational qualifications. 

For assistance obtaining your own educational qualifications, contact your school's Registrar Office.  Your school may also provide all of your qualifications online for you to order yourself a copy, or send an official copy of your transcript showing your coursework, any degrees earned, and when you attended classes to adjudicator assigned to your case.

To further clarify drug tests, check with your organization's Security Officer to find out what is and isn't permissible.  Organizations like the Drug Enforcement Agency has a Zero Tolerance Policy; so if you have any drug use in your past, this might not be the best organization to pursue employment with.  However, there are also organizations that grant waivers for past drug use, and are able to mitigate your past drug use, because a certain period of time has passed since you did drugs.

For the best guidance, check with your organization's Security Officer for the latest Drug Policy and Guidance.