When may a federal employee be subject to reinvestigation?

• A. Always after five years away from service
• B. If new information calls into question the individual's suitability
• C. Only when changing positions
• D. Only when moving to a different agency

Answer: (B)

Reinvestigation is used to reassess an individual’s suitability whenever new information emerges that could affect their reliability, judgment, or trustworthiness. That’s why this option is the best: it captures the conditional, information-driven nature of reinvestigation rather than tying it to a set time frame or to simply changing roles. It isn’t automatic after a fixed period away from service, and it isn’t required just because someone changes positions or moves to another agency—those events only prompt a review if there is new information that raises concerns. For example, if new credit issues, misconduct allegations, or other relevant facts surface, investigators may initiate a reinvestigation to determine if the person still meets suitability standards.