The CBSA integrity interview is part of the security clearance process for Border Services Officer applicants.
It is separate from the main CBSA interview, which assesses competencies such as dealing with difficult situations, decisiveness, communication, judgment, personal integrity, and values and ethics. The integrity interview is connected to security screening and focuses on whether an applicant is suitable to receive the required security clearance. CBSA states that candidates must consent to a telephone integrity interview, credit check, and law-enforcement and security database checks as part of the clearance process. Canada Border Services Agency
This guide explains where the CBSA integrity interview fits into the hiring process, what applicants should expect, how to prepare accurately and professionally, and how it differs from the regular CBSA interview.
Where the CBSA Integrity Interview Fits in the Hiring Process
The CBSA Border Services Officer selection process includes several stages.
These include:
- Officer Trainee Entrance Exam (OTEE)
- CBSA interview
- Psychological assessment
- Firearms safety requirements
- Medical assessment
- Physical fitness evaluation
- Security clearance
The integrity interview falls under the security clearance stage, rather than the regular competency-based CBSA interview. CBSA currently requires officer candidates to obtain the applicable security clearance before training and employment. Canada Border Services Agency
Applicants who are earlier in the hiring process can review our:
or try the:
What Is the CBSA Integrity Interview?
The CBSA integrity interview is a security-screening interview.
CBSA states that candidates must consent to a telephone integrity interview as part of obtaining the required security clearance. The security process also includes a credit check, fingerprints, and law-enforcement and security database verifications. Canada Border Services Agency
The purpose of the integrity interview is different from the regular CBSA selection interview.
The regular interview evaluates job-related competencies.
The integrity interview focuses on information relevant to an applicant’s reliability, integrity and suitability for a sensitive law-enforcement position.
CBSA Integrity Interview vs Regular CBSA Interview
This distinction is important.
The Regular CBSA Interview
The regular Border Services Officer interview takes place earlier in the selection process.
CBSA currently assesses applicants on competencies including:
- Dealing with difficult situations
- Decisiveness
- Effective interactive communication
- Judgment
- Personal integrity
- Values and ethics
The interview may use situational questions and role-play scenarios. Canada Border Services Agency
Applicants preparing for that stage can review:
CBSA Interview Questions and Answers
The CBSA Integrity Interview
The integrity interview is connected to security clearance.
It is not another competency interview and should not be approached as though there are “correct” interview answers to memorize.
Preparation should instead focus on understanding your own history, answering accurately, maintaining consistency and being prepared to discuss information clearly.
What Does the CBSA Integrity Interview Assess?
Because the integrity interview is part of security screening, applicants should expect the discussion to relate to reliability, honesty and information relevant to clearance.
CBSA’s security screening process also involves checks of areas such as:
- Employment history
- References
- Travel outside Canada
- Credit information
- Fingerprints
- Law-enforcement databases
- Security databases
The exact interview will depend on the applicant and the information identified during the screening process. Canada Border Services Agency
Applicants should therefore avoid trying to find a fixed list of “CBSA integrity interview answers.”
There may not be one standard conversation that applies to every applicant.
What Types of Questions May Come Up?
Applicants should prepare for questions connected to their own background and information provided during the application and security-clearance process.
Depending on individual circumstances, topics may relate to areas such as:
- Employment history
- Financial history
- Past conduct
- Travel
- Associations
- Contact with law enforcement
- Accuracy of information provided on application forms
- Inconsistencies or gaps requiring clarification
The objective is not to create a polished story.
It is to provide complete, accurate and consistent information.
How to Prepare for the CBSA Integrity Interview
Preparation should focus on accuracy, organization and honest communication.
Applicants may benefit from reviewing:
- Dates and timelines
- Previous employment
- Addresses
- Travel history
- Financial issues that may require explanation
- Past incidents or behaviour that could reasonably come up
- Information already provided elsewhere in the application
- Any areas where dates or details could be unclear
The goal is to reduce avoidable confusion and help you communicate your own history clearly.
Applicants should not invent explanations or rehearse answers designed to make past events sound better than they were.
We Prepare Applicants — We Do Not Script Integrity Answers
anEDGE helps applicants prepare for the CBSA integrity interview, not manufacture answers for it.
Preparation may include helping applicants:
- Understand where the integrity interview fits in the CBSA hiring process
- Review their own timeline and background carefully
- Organize information so it can be communicated clearly
- Identify inconsistencies they should resolve before the interview
- Practise answering questions calmly and directly
- Avoid vague, evasive or overly rehearsed responses
- Communicate honestly and professionally
We do not advise applicants what they should disclose, hide or change.
Applicants are responsible for providing truthful and complete information to CBSA.
Common CBSA Integrity Interview Mistakes
Applicants can make the process more difficult by approaching the integrity interview like a conventional job interview.
Common mistakes include:
- Trying to memorize ideal answers
- Guessing what the interviewer wants to hear
- Giving inconsistent dates
- Minimizing information that may later be verified
- Providing vague explanations
- Becoming defensive about past behaviour
- Giving unnecessarily complicated answers
- Failing to distinguish between what they know and what they are unsure about
- Providing information that conflicts with earlier application forms
Clear, direct and accurate communication is generally a better approach than trying to sound perfect.
Does the Integrity Interview Happen by Telephone?
Yes.
CBSA currently describes the integrity interview as a telephone integrity interview within the security-clearance process. Canada Border Services Agency
Applicants should still treat the conversation professionally.
Before the interview, make sure you have:
- A quiet location
- Reliable phone service
- Enough uninterrupted time
- Access to any personal timeline or information you have prepared for your own reference
Is the Integrity Interview the Same as the CBSA Personal Integrity Competency?
No.
This is an important distinction.
Personal integrity is one of the competencies assessed during the regular CBSA interview.
The integrity interview is part of security clearance.
The names are similar, but they relate to different stages of the process. CBSA’s current selection information lists personal integrity among the regular interview competencies, while the telephone integrity interview appears under security clearance. Canada Border Services Agency
Applicants preparing for the regular competency interview should review:
CBSA Interview Questions and Answers
Preparing for Your CBSA Integrity Interview
If you have reached the security-clearance stage and want help preparing for the integrity interview process, anEDGE can help you organize your preparation.
Our approach focuses on understanding the process, reviewing your own history carefully, improving clarity and consistency, and practising how to communicate honestly and professionally.
How the Integrity Interview Connects to the Full CBSA Hiring Process
The integrity interview is only one stage of a much larger selection process.
Applicants may move through:
OTEE → CBSA Interview → Psychological Assessment → Additional Requirements → Security Clearance → Training
CBSA notes that some assessments may occur simultaneously and that the overall process can take many months. Canada Border Services Agency
That is why it is useful to think of preparation as a progression rather than as one isolated interview.
If you are still at the exam stage, start with:
You can also practise with:
or review the full:
If you have already passed the OTEE and are preparing for the main interview, review:
CBSA Interview Questions and Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CBSA integrity interview?
The CBSA integrity interview is part of the security-clearance process for Border Services Officer applicants. CBSA currently requires candidates to consent to a telephone integrity interview as part of security screening. Canada Border Services Agency
Is the CBSA integrity interview part of the regular interview?
No.
The regular CBSA interview assesses competencies such as judgment, communication, personal integrity and values and ethics. The integrity interview takes place as part of security clearance. Canada Border Services Agency
Is the CBSA integrity interview done by telephone?
CBSA currently describes it as a telephone integrity interview. Canada Border Services Agency
What questions are asked in the CBSA integrity interview?
Questions can depend on the applicant’s background and security-screening information.
Applicants should focus on understanding their own history, dates, timelines and information previously submitted rather than trying to memorize a generic list of answers.
How should I prepare for a CBSA integrity interview?
Review your own background carefully, organize important dates and timelines, ensure information is consistent with your application, and prepare to answer questions clearly and honestly.
Can anEDGE coach me on what to say in the integrity interview?
anEDGE provides preparation, not scripted integrity answers.
We help applicants understand the process, organize their own information and practise communicating accurately and professionally.
What security clearance does a CBSA officer need?
CBSA currently requires officer candidates to obtain the applicable enhanced reliability and secret-level security clearance before entering the role and training process. Current CBSA recruiting material describes the telephone integrity interview as part of that screening. Canada Border Services Agency
Should I prepare differently for the regular CBSA interview?
Yes.
The regular interview focuses on competencies and situational or role-play performance. The integrity interview is connected to security screening and personal-history clarification.
For regular interview preparation, see:
CBSA Interview Questions and Answers
Prepare for Your Next CBSA Stage
Whether you are preparing for the OTEE, the regular CBSA interview or the later integrity-interview stage, preparation should match the purpose of that specific assessment.
anEDGE provides structured preparation for Canadian law-enforcement applicants while keeping each stage of the process distinct.
For interview preparation:
CBSA Interview Coaching & Preparation
For CBSA interview questions:
CBSA Interview Questions and Answers
For OTEE preparation:
CBSA OTEE Exam Guide
For free exam practice:
Free CBSA OTEE Practice Test
For full practice exams:
CBSA OTEE Practice Exams