Government operations and workforce · Federal workforce and hiring

Executive Order 12968: Access to Classified Information

President: Bill Clinton

Established government-wide eligibility, due-process and reciprocity rules for federal employees and others who need access to classified information.

Status: In effect as amended.

Is Executive Order 12968 still in effect? Yes. Active as amended by EOs 13467 and 13764 and implemented through current personnel-vetting policy.

What does Executive Order 12968 do?

EO 12968 created a uniform personnel-security program for access to classified information. Eligibility requires a favorable determination based on an appropriate investigation, a need for access and a signed nondisclosure agreement. The order also provides review and appeal safeguards and bars discrimination on protected grounds. EO 13467 reorganized security and suitability processes, and EO 13764 updated the system for continuous evaluation and sensitive positions. The amended framework remains in use.

Administration position: A clearance eligibility decision permits access only when the person also has a need to know. The order does not promise a clearance or remove agencies’ national-security judgment.
SignedAugust 2, 1995
ScopeEligibility for access to classified information
Major amendmentsEOs 13467 and 13764

Before and after

Before the order

Agencies used less uniform personnel-security standards and procedures.

After the order

Common investigative, adjudicative, reciprocity and appeal principles applied across the executive branch.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
Agency headsEstablish compliant personnel-security programsContinuing
Security Executive AgentSet and oversee government-wide policyUnder later amendments
Cleared personnelReport relevant information and protect classified materialContinuing

What happened next

EO 12968 established the uniform program.

EO 13467 reorganized personnel-vetting governance.

EO 13764 added continuous-evaluation and related changes.

The amended framework remained in official use.