Who does the government background check for a security clearance?

The government background check for a security clearance is typically conducted by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) or the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA). The process involves investigating the applicant's personal history, including criminal records, financial history, employment history, and references. It may also include interviews with family, friends, and acquaintances to assess the individual's reliability and trustworthiness. The goal is to ensure that the applicant is eligible to access classified information.