### Question
How is the "authorized investigative agency" defined?


### Answer
The term **authorized investigative agency** is defined in *50 U.S.C. § 3164* as follows -

> an agency authorized by law or regulation to conduct a counterintelligence investigation or investigations of persons who are proposed for access to classified information to ascertain whether such persons satisfy the criteria for obtaining and retaining access to such information

#### Citation:
  - *50 U.S.C. § 3164*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 44-NATIONAL SECURITY > SUBCHAPTER VI-ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED INFORMATION**

