---
title: "NIST 800-171 3.9.1 (PS.L2-3.9.1): Personnel Screening"
description: "NIST SP 800-171 3.9.1 Personnel Screening: 3 SPRS points, not allowed on a CMMC POA&M. The text, what assessors check and the evidence."
url: https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/personnel-security/3.9.1
sealed: 2026-11-11
amended: 2026-11-11
register: nist-800-171/personnel-security/3.9.1
records: 7
digest: sha3:551567017b5b04a5c0948244b3556f79914830727f185130e93c46c7d304d4c2
---

# NIST 800-171 3.9.1 (PS.L2-3.9.1): Personnel Screening

NIST 800-171 / Personnel Security / 3.9.1

"Screen individuals prior to authorizing access to organizational systems containing CUI." ([NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2, requirement 3.9.1](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171r2))

CMMC Level 2 practice PS.L2-3.9.1.

## What 3.9.1 means in practice

Before anyone gets access to systems with CUI, they are screened, for example with a background check suited to the role. Keep the screening criteria and a record for each person showing the screening came before the access.

## SPRS points and the CMMC POA&M

- **CMMC Level 2 practice**: PS.L2-3.9.1
- **SPRS points**: 3 points. When it is not met, the DoD Assessment Methodology subtracts 3 from the score of 110.
- **CMMC POA&M**: Not allowed. It is worth 3 points, and 32 CFR 170.21(a)(2)(ii) admits only requirements worth 1 point, with one exception: 3.13.11 when encryption is used but not FIPS validated.

Sources: [NIST SP 800-171 DoD Assessment Methodology, version 1.2.1 (June 24, 2020), Annex A](https://www.acq.osd.mil/asda/dpc/cp/cyber/docs/safeguarding/NIST-SP-800-171-Assessment-Methodology-Version-1.2.1-6.24.2020.pdf); [32 CFR 170.21, Plan of Action and Milestones requirements](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-32/section-170.21).

## What an assessor checks for 3.9.1

NIST SP 800-171A gives one determination statement for 3.9.1.

- Determine if individuals are screened prior to authorizing access to organizational systems containing CUI.

[NIST SP 800-171A (June 2018), assessment objectives for 3.9.1](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171A)

## Evidence that shows 3.9.1 is met

- The screening criteria for roles with access to CUI.
- Screening records for a sample of users.
- Account creation dates showing access came after screening.

## How PolicyCortex gathers the evidence

No PolicyCortex collector reads the evidence for 3.9.1. Your team provides the evidence listed above.

## Related pages

- **Calculator**: [SPRS score calculator: mark 3.9.1 and the other 109 requirements and see the score.](https://policycortex.com/sprs-score-calculator#family-PS)
- **Sample package**: [Sample package: an SSP, a POA&M and an evidence chain the product generated from demonstration data.](https://policycortex.com/sample-package)
- **Family**: [All 2 Personnel Security requirements (3.9).](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/personnel-security)
- **Previous**: [3.8.9: Backup Confidentiality](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/media-protection/3.8.9)
- **Next**: [3.9.2: Personnel Actions](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/personnel-security/3.9.2)
- **All requirements**: [All 110 NIST SP 800-171 requirements, by family.](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171)

Meet the requirement once. Keep the evidence current. [Request Access](https://app.policycortex.com/auth?mode=request-access) · [Book a call](https://policycortex.com/book)

## Register colophon

| Seq | Label | SHA3-256 | Prev |
|---|---|---|---|
| REC 0000 | REQUIREMENT | 62f1ff92fdc9 | a38d228f635a |
| REC 0001 | MEANING | 5b32336e3bb3 | 62f1ff92fdc9 |
| REC 0002 | POINTS AND POA&M | 5ba92af303e8 | 5b32336e3bb3 |
| REC 0003 | ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES | 7b8bc8970409 | 5ba92af303e8 |
| REC 0004 | EVIDENCE | eb77a90bc899 | 7b8bc8970409 |
| REC 0005 | COLLECTORS | adbf26072414 | eb77a90bc899 |
| REC 0006 | RELATED | 551567017b5b | adbf26072414 |

Head sha3:551567017b5b04a5c0948244b3556f79914830727f185130e93c46c7d304d4c2. Each digest is SHA3-256 over the previous digest, the register key, the record label, and the record copy; a second party can recompute it from this document.