If no issues are present after the preinvestigation, what happens next?

• A. Investigation is initiated
• B. The applicant is granted clearance
• C. The file is archived
• D. A national security adjudication is performed

Answer: (A)

When the preinvestigation shows no issues, the process moves forward by initiating the formal investigation. This step gathers deeper information, verifies details, and completes background checks that the eventual decision will rely on. A clearance isn’t granted automatically at this point; it comes after the investigation is finished and a determination is made. Archiving the file would occur if the case is closed without proceeding, not as the next step after a clean preinvestigation. A national security adjudication happens after the investigation has been completed and the findings are reviewed to make a final decision.