The performance of the short screening scale for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM‐IV) post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), has not been assessed in an independent general population sample, although it has been used in epidemiological as well as clinical research. In this report we evaluate the short screening scale in the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), a population‐based survey of US household and group quarter residents. DSM‐IV PTSD was assessed via symptom questions in the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule‐DSM‐IV (AUDADIS‐IV) version. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and percent correctly classified were calculated, using the interview‐based diagnosis as the standard. Replicating findings from the initial report, a score of four or more on the short screening scale identifies cases of PTSD with sensitivity of 78%, specificity of 97%, positive predictive value of 75%, and negative predictive value of 98%. The percentage of correctly classified respondents was 96%. The findings support the utility of the seven‐item scale for screening PTSD in clinical and general population samples.