Credentialing & Security Clearance: What Healthcare Professionals Need to Know About Working with the DoD
Working for the DoD is a huge honor. As a Department of Defense (DoD) civilian, you’ll play an essential role in national security. The Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and other DoD agencies offer civilian positions in almost 650 different occupations, making it one of the most vital federal government departments in the U.S.¹
Because the DoD's primary mission is to ensure national security, it requires additional layers of vetting, like credentialing and security clearance. These extra steps ensure that the systems keeping the country and its inhabitants safe stay strong and secure.
If you need help understanding the DoD's credentialing and security processes, this article will explain everything in a simple way and guide you through the steps to ensure a smooth application process.
Understanding Credentialing in the DoD
Credentialing in the DoD is the process of checking that a candidate passes DoD's "predetermined and standardized criteria."² It typically involves evaluating qualifications, certifications, or licenses for a specific job.
This process is usually more important in agencies like the DoD compared to other workplaces. That's because the DoD must protect national security, maintain high standards, and keep people safe. Credentialing ensures that people with roles that involve classified information or saving lives—like medical workers, cybersecurity staff, or engineers—are properly trained and legally allowed to do their work.
Credentialing usually happens after you’re considered or hired for a position, but before you start working. You’ll be asked to provide documents that prove your skills, education, and training are current and valid.
Here are some examples:
A nurse will need to provide a valid nursing license.
A medical doctor will submit their board certification and medical school diploma.
A mental health professional will show a state license to practice counseling or therapy.
A Quick Overview on the DoD Credentialing Process
Here are the basic credentialing steps people must go through:
Sponsorship. A DoD agency or contractor hires or selects you for a role that needs credentials.
Document Preparation. You collect your relevant licenses, degrees, certifications, and training records.
Submission for Verification. You send your documents to a credentialing office or program manager. They’ll review everything and make sure it's valid.
Background Checks (If Required). Some jobs may include background or identity checks, especially if they involve access to secure systems.
Credential Approval. Once verified, your credentials may be recorded in DoD systems.
Understanding Security Clearance in the DoD
Like government credentialing, getting security clearance is another employment-related process unique to certain government roles. A personnel security clearance is a special permission from the U.S. government that lets someone access secret or sensitive information.
To get this access, you have to go through a process with a lot of paperwork and background investigations, typically done by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA). Their goal is to make sure the person is "reliable, trustworthy, of good conduct and character, and of complete and unswerving loyalty to the United States."³
The DoD handles a lot of classified information. If that information were shared with the wrong people, it could harm the country. That’s why jobs involving sensitive work—like in healthcare and defense—require security clearance.
For example, medical workers on military bases don’t just help patients. They may also deal with health data linked to military missions and high-profile individuals.
A Quick Overview on the DoD Security Clearance Processes
If you're selected for a job that requires security clearances, you can expect a process like this:
Sponsorship. The company or agency hiring you will start the process.
Pre-Screening. Before you apply, a basic background check involving frequently asked questions will be done. This includes looking at your criminal record, work history, and finances.
Application. You’ll fill out a detailed form (like SF86 or SF85P) that asks about your personal history, travels, foreign contacts, and more.
Investigation. Investigators will check your answers, talk to people who know you, and look at your records to see if you’re trustworthy.
Adjudication. A reviewer will decide if you should get the security clearance.
Continuous Checks. Even after you get the clearance, they will keep checking throughout your employment to make sure you still meet the requirements.
If you’re involved in healthcare-related work in the DoD, here are other requirements you can expect:
Medical Clearances. You may need to pass a health exam to check your physical fitness for the job.
Special Training. Some roles require specific medical skills or certifications.
Patient Privacy. You must protect patient information, just like any healthcare job, but with extra rules because of the military setting.
How to Prepare for a Smooth Credentialing and Security Clearance Application Process
Here are some helpful tips to help you avoid delays, stay organized, and feel more prepared from start to finish.
1. Research What’s Required for Your Role
Before applying for a job, know exactly what licenses, certifications, or documents you need. The DoD COOL (Credentialing Opportunities On-Line) website is a helpful place to see the licenses and certifications related to the position. Knowing these early can help you save time, as you can already start compiling your requirements before the DoD officially asks for them.
2. Be Organized with Paperwork
Once your recruiter asks for specific documents, keep them in one manageable place. This will include your ID, birth certificate, school transcripts, licenses, certifications, and job references.
It helps to keep everything in one place, whether it’s a physical folder or a digital one. This way, when filling out forms like the SF-86, you can find what you need quickly and easily.
3. Respond Quickly to Requests
During the process, there’s a good chance someone might reach out for more information. This could be from HR, your recruiter, or an investigator. If they ask for additional details about your past jobs, relationships, or travel, respond quickly and clearly.
Slow responses can delay your application process or even cause it to stop altogether. Being quick to reply shows you’re reliable and ready, which is exactly what they’re looking for.
4. Be Patient and Follow Up As Needed
Getting cleared and credentialed takes time, sometimes a few months. While it’s important to be patient, it’s also wise to check in if things seem too quiet.
For example, if your background investigation hasn’t started or you haven’t been contacted in weeks, a polite follow-up email to your HR contact or recruiter can help ensure nothing gets lost in the process. This will also show that you are proactive and engaged, which can improve your reputation as a potential hire or candidate for higher roles.
Get through the DoD vetting process with the help of Matrix Providers.
Getting credentialed and cleared for a DoD job doesn’t have to be tough, especially when you have experts on your side. Matrix Providers will guide you through every step of the way, from collecting the correct documents to preparing for necessary tests.
As one of the leading healthcare staffing firms, we specialize in helping people like you get matched with government jobs and go through the required processes smoothly. So, we know how to best help you get through DoD.
If you want a smooth and efficient application experience, contact Matrix Providers today!
References:
U.S. Department of Defense. "Why Work for the Department of Defense." www.dodciviliancareers.com/whyworkfordod. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. DOD Credentialing Programs. 13 Oct. 2021,ww.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/132233p.PDF.
Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency. "Investigations and Clearance Process." www.dcsa.mil/Personnel-Security/Background-Investigations-for-Applicants/Investigations-Clearance-Process/. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.