Personnel Security and Suitability Adjudication Course (Self-Paced)

This course includes

24 hours of project-based training from experts
Answers from real instructors
Proprietary workbook included
Retake for free within 1 year
Verified digital certificate of completion
Learn at an accredited institution
Credits: 2.4 CEUs

This Course is self-paced. For live online or in-person instructions, take Personnel Security and Suitability Adjudication.

Learn the basic purpose, intent, procedures, and applications in reaching potential security and trustworthiness determinations. Learn suitability determinations for federal government employment and contracting under 5 CFR 731, and for security clearance determinations under the Federal Adjudication Guidelines mandated by Executive Order 12968. Demonstrate your fundamental ability to research, analyze, weigh, decide, and act on given security and suitability information. Because this course is designed to impart the skills necessary to adjudicate in a security office, human resources office, or adjudication facility, it relies on practical exercises in class. These practical exercises assist you with your primary functions as an adjudicator in identifying personnel security and suitability issues, and in making determinations with regard to the more frequent issues you encounter.

Full Tuition

$1,649
Due before the class starts

This course includes

24 hours of project-based training from experts
Answers from real instructors
Proprietary workbook included
Retake for free within 1 year
Verified digital certificate of completion
Learn at an accredited institution
Credits: 2.4 CEUs

Learning Experience Highlights

Training from government‑experienced instructors

Receive instruction from subject‑matter experts who bring proven government experience.

Specialized for government & DoD

Courses that are regularly updated based on feedback and industry developments, ensuring versions are mapped to federal competencies.

The instructor was wonderful and so knowledgeable. The course materials were extremely relevant to what my job is. I feel like I can be better because of this class.
— 2025 student

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Real-world solutions

Directly addressing the day-to-day challenges of federal employees.

125+ departments & agencies served

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24/7 access to our premium course videos and projects.
Industry experts are assigned as your course instructor. Message your instructor with any questions.
Participate in GSUSA online discussion forums — share ideas and receive additional support.
Hands-on quizzes and mini projects to test and reinforce concepts.

Earn a Certificate of Completion

Upon completion of this course, you’ll receive an official certificate testifying to your mastery of the curriculum. We’ll send you a link where you can download your certificate, share it online with your friends, post it to your professional network on LinkedIn, and view all your earned certificates. Congratulations on your achievement!

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Sample credential for completion of Personnel Security and Suitability Adjudication Course (Self-Paced)

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Personnel Security and Suitability Adjudication Course (Self-Paced) Curriculum

What You'll Learn at a Glance

Follow the process for making a personnel security or suitability determination.
Understand policy guidelines and their application in classroom cases.
Identify basic issues requiring further investigation or determination.
Adjudicate cases for security clearance eligibility under Executive Order 12968 and the Adjudication Guidelines.
Adjudicate cases for suitability for employment under 5 CFR 731.
Understand the importance of due process and when to initiate it.

Course Syllabus

Download Syllabus PDF

Module 1: Introduction to Suitability and Fitness Adjudication

Understanding the fundamentals of suitability and fitness adjudication.
Key concepts and guidelines as per 5 CFR 731.
Differences between adjudication for suitability and fitness, and security clearance determinations.

Module 2: Position Risk Designations, Reciprocity, and Subject Engagement

Designating positions based on risk levels (Public Trust vs. National Security).
Understanding the investigative products provided by OPM/DCSA.
Analyzing reciprocity and subject engagement procedures.

Module 3: Suitability and Fitness Factors

Review of the nine key suitability and fitness factors for federal employment.
Exploring disqualifying and mitigating conditions for each factor.
Understanding how to apply these factors in real-life adjudication cases.

Module 4: Suitability and Fitness Preemployment Screening/Vetting Process

Performing preemployment screenings for potential suitability and fitness issues.
Understanding the role of the OF-306 form in screening applicants.
Applying the suitability and fitness referral guidelines.

Module 5: Traditional Suitability and Fitness Adjudication Determination Guidelines

Step-by-step process for making suitability and fitness determinations.
Characterizing suitability issues and applying upgrades or downgrades.
Determining the impact of patterns and additional considerations.

Module 6: OPM’s Suitability and Fitness Adjudication Determination Process

Differences between traditional adjudication and OPM’s new process.
Understanding OPM’s role and responsibilities in adjudicating suitability cases.
Using the new OPM determination worksheets to make decisions.

Module 7: Evidence: Supporting Your Determination

Understanding the burden of proof in suitability and fitness cases.
Assessing the probative weight of evidence and supporting documentation.
Exploring options for resolving issues and safeguarding investigation materials.

Module 8: Identifying Merit Fraud

Recognizing different types of merit fraud cases and their impact on suitability determinations.
Identifying bogus degrees and false qualifications.
Adjudicator’s responsibilities in handling merit fraud cases.

Module 9: Taking Action in Suitability and Fitness Cases: Unfavorable Determinations

Steps for taking unfavorable suitability or fitness actions under 5 CFR 731.
Understanding the appeals process and the role of the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB).
Agency and OPM actions on unfavorable determinations.

Module 10: Significant Precedent-Setting Cases

Discussion of significant cases that set precedents in suitability and fitness adjudication.
Reviewing key legal cases and their impact on future adjudications.

Module 11: Decision Standards for National Security Positions: Executive Order 12968

Understanding the coverage and requirements of Executive Order 12968.
How the order affects the adjudication of national security positions.
Key decision standards for eligibility for access to classified information.

Module 12: National Security Adjudicative Guidelines for Determining Eligibility for Access to Classified Information or Eligibility to Hold a Sensitive Position

Reviewing the National Security Adjudicative Guidelines for personnel security determinations.
Exploring the disqualifying and mitigating conditions for national security positions.
Discussing eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Group Training

Since 1921, Graduate School USA has partnered with over 125 federal agencies and trained more than one million federal employees. Led by instructors with deep, real-world knowledge of federal regulations, policies, and practices, our private group programs are practical, mission-driven, and tailored to your agency’s objectives. We offer expertise across key federal domains—including human resources, financial management, acquisition and contracting, leadership, and more—to deliver training where and how your team needs it.

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Installments
	10% non-refundable deposit
$1,649.00	Total You Pay