The ICD 705 SCIF accreditation timeline, step by step
Last reviewed October 2026. Sources linked below; your Accrediting Official (AO) has the final word.
ICD 705 does not set a fixed calendar timeline. Accreditation is a gated sequence: each approval must be in place before the next phase. The IC Technical Specifications for construction and management of SCIFs (the "Tech Spec") describe the steps.[1] ICD/ICS 705 replaced DCID 6/9 in 2012.[3]
1. Engage the AO before design
Security plans should be coordinated with the AO before construction plans are designed, materials ordered, or contracts let.[1] The SCIF Pre-Construction Checklist may be sent to the Cognizant Security Authority (CSA) and/or AO as part of concept approval.[1]
2. Design concept and final design approval
The AO reviews and approves the design concept, the Construction Security Plan (CSP), and the final design before SCIF construction starts.[1]
3. Construction Security Plan before contract award
Before a construction contract is awarded, the Site Security Manager (SSM) develops a CSP and the AO approves it.[1]
4. Construction and inspections
The SSM conducts periodic security inspections for the duration of the project. Violations or deviations from the CSP must be documented and reported to the AO within 3 business days.[1]
5. Accreditation package and review
The SSM prepares the Pre-Construction Checklist, TEMPEST Checklist, Fixed Facility Checklist (FFC), floor plans, and related documents and submits them to the AO. The AO often sends TEMPEST materials to a Certified TEMPEST Technical Authority (CTTA) for review, then processes the FFC.[3] The FFC records items such as whether construction followed the CSP and whether a TSCM inspection was performed.[2]
6. Interim or final accreditation
After a successful inspection, the AO may issue an interim accreditation while documentation or a final inspection is pending.[1][3] Network and sub-compartment accreditations typically follow the ICD 705 facility accreditation.[3]
What this means for schedule
Each approval gates the next step, so starting design or signing contracts before AO approval of the concept and CSP is the main avoidable schedule risk.