Created in 2003 as part of the e-Clearance initiative, the Electronic Questionnaires for 
Investigations Processing (e-QIP) has replaced the hard copy SF-86 (Questionnaire for 
National Security Positions) and the SF-85P (Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions) for 
personnel security investigations and clearances. The use of e-QIP is mandated by the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Since 
March, 2007 FEMA has been 100% compliant with e-QIP submissions to OPM.  E-QIP is a 
secure website designed/created by OPM which will eventually contain all PSI forms in order 
for FEMA applicants, employees or contractors to complete their personnel security 
questionnaires online. 

The e-QIP Initiator
The e-QIP initiator is an individual who has been selected by their program office and vetted 
through FEMA Security and OPM to set up and administer the e-QIP profile sheet, send the 
appropriate notification, and enter    the necessary information into e-QIP.

The e-QIP Profile Sheet
The entire e-QIP process (excluding the Periodic Reinvestigation Process) begins with the 
completion of the e-QIP profile sheet which is provided by a designated program office (i.e. 
Human Resources, Regions, JFO, Security, etc.) within FEMA who has determined that a 
background investigation is required for employment suitability and/or national security 
determination. It is required that either the applicant, contractor or FEMA Employee complete 
the entire profile sheet in order to ensure that all preliminary entries entered into the e-QIP 
system are factual and correct information. It is the responsibility of the FEMA e-QIP 
initiator to enter the correct information into the e-QIP system. It is also the responsibility of 
the e-QIP initiator to ensure the Personal Identification Information (PII) contained within the 
profile sheet is safeguarded and protected. 

The following information is required on the e-QIP Profile Sheet:

?	Name
?	Full Social Security Number
?	Date of Birth
?	Place of Birth
?	e-Mail Address
?	Job Title
?	Assigned Office (Example: Response, IT, Region, OCC etc.)
?	Position Type (Example: Core, DAE, Permanent, Contractor etc)
?	If a Contractor (Provide Name and Number of Supervisor or FEMA COTR)
?	Position Sensitivity/Access Level


?	Statement regarding a prior background investigation or security clearance  (Agency 
Name and date)
?	Current Mailing Address and Telephone Number

Once the completed profile sheet is received, the information provided will then be used to 
set up the individual account in e-QIP. It is the responsibility of the e-QIP initiator to set up the 
account. 

Letter or email Notification (e-QIP is ready for completion)
When the e-QIP profile sheet information is entered into the e-QIP system, it is the 
responsibility of the e-QIP Initiator to forward the appropriate e-mail or letter to the Subject 
advising them they have been setup in e-QIP. Included within that notification is the following 
information:
?	Detailed instructions on how to set their web browser.
?	Link to E-QIP web site
?	Reminder – Read all instructions carefully
?	Reminder –  Residence, Employment and Personal Reference Sections require 
complete street addresses
?	Reminder – Section 10. Education - Must provide type of degree and in what field.
?	Type of Fingerprint card to complete (Employee – SF-87 and Contractor – FD 258)
?	Content of Returned E-QIP Packet (Federal or Contractor) 
?	Warning Notification – Per OPM requirements e-QIP packets will be returned if 
instructions are not followed or returned packets are incomplete
?	FEMA Mailing Address
?	Letter or e-mail Attachments (Federal Employee or Contractor)

Federal Employee (attachments)
?	e-QIP User Guide
?	SF 87 Finger Print Cards (2 cards)
?	Fair Credit Act Reporting Release
?	OF 306, Declaration for Federal Employment
?	Additional Household Members Sheet
?	OF 612, Optional Application for Federal Employment

Federal Contractor (attachments)

?	e-QIP User’s Guide
?	FD 258 Applicant Finger Print Cards (2 cards)
?	Fair Credit Act Reporting Release
?	DHS Form 11000-6 (08-04) Non-Disclosure Agreement.

The FEMA e-QIP User’s Guide contains detailed information on how to complete the 
on-line process via the OPM secure portals. This User guide is provided as an 
attachment to this fact sheet. The following information is addressed:

?	System Overview
?	Web Browser Requirements
?	Golden Questions and Answers
?	Entering, Displaying, and Certifying Data into the e-QIP system
?	Security Packets

Problems and Pitfalls
?	Please read all instructions carefully before you begin to complete the e-QIP process. 
Please refer to the e-QIP User’s Guide.
?	Ensure that your computer web browser is set up correctly. Please refer to the e-QIP 
User’s Guide. 
?	When answering e-QIP item #5 (Both SF-85P and SF-86) please include “all other 
names used” to include NEE and maiden names.
?	Please ensure that you complete e-QIP in the time that is allotted. Failure to do so will 
result in your e-QIP timing out in the system and you will be unable to complete it 
which will cause a delay in conducting your background investigation.
?	In Item #11 (Both SF-85P and SF-86) – In accordance with the investigative 
requirements of each type of background investigation (SSBI, BI, MBI and NACI with 
Credit) and timeline indicated, all period of employment should be entered separately 
to include unemployment dates. 
?	Please check the appropriate employment code for each entry (examples Active 
Military duty station, National Guard/Reserve, Other Federal Employment, Self 
Employment, Unemployment, and Federal Contractor, Other etc).
?	Complete Mailing Address to include street, city and state are required for each 
employment entry. Special note: P.O. Box Numbers are also acceptable.
?	Personal References: Item # 13 (SF-85P) and Item #12 (Sf-86) - Complete Names and 
Mailing Addresses (to include Street, City and State) are required.
?	Privacy Act Questions: Items# 16 to 22 (SF-85P) and Items# 16 to 30 (SF-86) - Are 
questions regarding personal behavior and conduct. An explanation is required for all 
“YES” answers to include complete and pertinent information.
?	Resumes are submitted as part of the e-QIP Packet. When submitting the resume as 
part of the e-QIP packet, please ensure the following information is listed for all 
employments: Beginning and Ending Dates (Month and Year) and Complete Mailing 
Addresses to include all Street, City, State and Zip Code. (Federal Employee and 
Applicant Packets Only. Resumes are not required for contractor packets). Special 
Note – It is recommended that the OPM Form (OF-612) is used versus the 
resume. The form is easier to complete (Only requires two recent employment 
activities) and is preferred by OPM. The OF-612 is provided as an attachment 
with the introductory e-QIP notification letter or e-mail. 
?	Fingerprint cards are submitted as part of the e-QIP Packet. When being fingerprinted, 
please ensure your prints are taken on the correct fingerprint card. Federal 
Employees/Applicants prints are taken on the SF-87. Contractor’s fingerprints are 
taken on the FD-258. If wrong fingerprints cards are submitted this will cause a delay 
and possible rejection of the e-QIP packet. Special Note: Per OPM requirements, 
two fingerprint cards are needed as part of the background investigative 
process. 

The submissions of these cards are totally separate from the two fingerprints 
cards that are submitted by FEMA Security to the FBI for initial suitability 
determination.   
?	All attachments that are listed as part of the e-QIP packet must be completed, signed 
and forwarded back to the Case Management Unit. This is the main indicator that e-QIP 
has been completed and is now ready for processing. Failure to forward the packet 
will result in e-QIP timing out and the reality of completing the process again.
?	If you have previously completed e-QIP (whether an SF 85P or SF-86) the information 
you submitted automatic saves itself. Only updated information as applicable along 
with the Privacy Act Questions needs to be answered.


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“FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, 
sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.”

           
           May 2011


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