Can you get security clearance

From least restrictive to most restrictive the classification levels are:. Having obtained a certain level of security clearance does not mean that the clearance holder automatically has access to or is given access to information cleared for that clearance level. Need to know is generally determined by a disclosure officer assigned to the office of origin for the classified information. There are also two categories of classified information that require additional handling and access restrictions:.

These special categories are for classified information that has been deemed particularly vulnerable, and eligibility standards and investigative requirements for access to SCI and SAPs clearances are higher than for other clearances.

Security clearances are active only for the time when an individual holds the original job for which the clearance was designated. A clearance holder may be re-investigated at any time, but a formal review is required after the prescribed number of years.

A clearance may be reactivated in certain cases without going through the entire investigative process again. The authority for classifying information and granting security clearances to access that information is found in Executive Orders EOs and US federal law. The origins of security clearances can be traced back to the Pendleton Act of which required applicants for federal employment to possess the requisite character, reputation, trustworthiness, and fitness for employment.

In , Executive Order provided for the requirement that all federal employees be fingerprinted and investigated by the FBI and in the DoD unified the military security program and implemented standards and procedures similar to those put into effect for civilians under E. Executive Order superseded E. Many federal agencies and federal contractors working with those agencies necessarily require their employees to hold security clearances in order to do their job.

The need for a security clearance is dictated by a necessity to handle sensitive or classified information rather than a specific job description. Anyone having access to classified data requires clearance at or higher than the level at which the data they must handle is classified. For this reason, security clearances are required for a wide range of jobs, from senior management to janitorial.

These separating military members look for employment in fields such as the commercial defense-related fields where they can utilize their expert military training and technical skills. In addition, these jobs generally require background checks due to the sensitive nature of the materials the individual handles on a daily basis - this is where the former military member's clearance becomes a valuable commodity.

The importance of a security clearance does not stop with defense contractors. The information technology, medical, telecommunications, education and financial fields to name a few have an increasing number of jobs where company information needs to be guarded and HR managers seek out individuals with current security clearances.

When employers do not have to invest time and money into a background check and the paperwork that goes with that, the saved money often goes back into the employee's salary. Former military personnel who have security clearances are very appealing to employers.

In addition to the thorough background check that has already been completed, these employees are disciplined, dependable and have strong leadership skills - priceless attributes in today's market. Certain federal employees and certain employees in the private sector are required to have security clearances because their job requires them to have access to classified documents.

Various other work takes place in secured facilities. The occupant of any such job is said to hold a "sensitive" position, defined as "any position, by virtue of its nature, could bring about a material adverse effect on national security". At any given time, there are about 3 million people with security clearances. In addition, there are about 1. Contractors participate in what is called the industrial security program administered by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency DCSA on behalf of the Department of Defense and 33 other federal agencies.

One out of every thirty Americans has some sort of security clearance. It has been estimated that one out of every thousand of these can be expected to compromise the secrets they are entrusted with.

Some need money, some can be blackmailed, some are disgruntled and want revenge and some are just sloppy. American industry is a prime target for espionage as well as domestic terrorism and white collar crime. A security clearance is technically a license issued by the head of a department, division or agency of the federal government. A DD Form is issued when classified work is contracted to a facility.

It provides the security classification and safeguarding requirements to be applied to information. The federal agency or cleared contractor issues the to the contracted facility and justifies the need for a FCL. The review is conducted to assist the contractor in following the requirements of the NISPOM and ensure that safeguards employed by the contractor are adequate for the protection of classified information.

The IS Rep determines the frequency of such formal reviews, but reviews are normally conducted annually. Ordinarily, those who have control over the company e. The facility is not eligible for a FCL.

The cleared contractor or federal agency must follow the same sponsorship procedures, and personnel clearances for all KMPs must be upgraded as well. A contractor is determined as having FOCI when under such a level of foreign control or influence that it cannot be cleared without a negation method.

In such cases the Government customer who approved the facility and owns the information inspects the facility. Security Clearance Jobs. Candidates with active clearances can search for jobs that make use of that clearance at ClearanceJobs. Candidates without clearances can search for jobs that do not require security clearances at other internet-based job boards like Dice.

History of the U. Personnel Security Program. The history is fairly long and complicated. However, certain specific events give an understanding of how the security clearance process has evolved since , and the difficulties the U.

Government has faced. Federal security clearance processing does not exist within a single monolithic structure with one agency conducting investigations and one agency making clearance decisions. There are dozens of agencies that process clearances, and all agencies use the same basic procedures and standards for granting or denying clearances.

Consequently, there are differences in the time it takes to complete a security clearance. However, security clearance adjudications continued to be performed in several thousand locations across DoD, and there were significant inconsistencies in adjudicative decisions.

In December DoD Regulation In the first formal Adjudicative Guidelines were established and incorporated into DoD Throughout most of its history DIS was severely understaffed. Eventually DIS grew from about field investigators to 2, investigators. When periodic reinvestigations became an unfunded requirement for Secret clearance in , it immediately created a backlog of , overdue cases.

DSS transferred its investigative staff to OPM, and after the transfer OPM had a combined investigative staff of 4, government and contractor personnel.

OPM estimated that about 8, were needed. The average turnaround time for an SSBI hit a high of about days. In OPM investigative staff reached a high of 9, personnel, but declined somewhat since then.

Unlike DSS, which was an appropriated fund activity, OPM conducts investigations on a fee-for-service basis and has the authority to set the prices it charges other Government agencies for the investigations they request. The combination of being paid for the investigations it conducted and using contract investigators to do the majority of the work afforded OPM the flexibility to rapidly adapt to changes in the number and type of investigations it conducted.

Gradually the backlog of cases and the average turnaround time for investigations began to decline. The JSSRT issued its initial report in April outlining a general framework for near and long term goals to modernize and streamline security clearance, employment suitability, and access to federally-controlled facilities and information systems government-wide.

Some of these changes were implemented on schedule, some were delayed, modified, or partially implemented, and new changes were added. Security clearance reform became a continuous process often driven by unexpected events. This document was compiled by William H. Henderson, retired federal investigator and ClearanceJobs.

We're sorry but ClearanceJobs. General What is a security clearance? What are the security clearance levels? What is a collateral clearance? What is the Dept. What type of information is requested on a security clearance application?

How long does a security clearance remain in effect? When is a security clearance terminated? Can a security clearance be reinstated after it has been terminated?

What is an interim security clearance? Getting a Security Clearance Can I obtain a security clearance on my own? Can a Naturalized Citizen get a Personnel Clearance? Can non-US citizens obtain security clearances? How are security clearance investigations carried out? How long does it take to process a security clearance? Will my clearance be granted faster because I previously held a security clearance? Will my security clearance be granted faster if I have immediate family members who have clearances?

Why does it take so long to get a security clearance? What can I do to speed up the process of getting a security clearance?

Who should I list as references on my security clearance application? Will I be interviewed by an investigator? What will I be asked during a security clearance interview? Should I reveal unfavorable information about myself on my security clearance application? What are the most common errors requiring correction before the security clearance investigation is opened?

How can I find out the status of my security clearance application? How will I be informed when I am granted a security clearance? What types of things can prevent someone from receiving a security clearance? What happens when a security clearance is denied? Can I appeal a security clearance denial or revocation? How can I get a copy of my security clearance investigation? Polygraphs What are polygraphs? A background investigation begins after an applicant has received a conditional offer from an agency and has completed the forms required to begin the process.

To help accelerate the process, begin to gather relevant information now so you can submit the relevant forms and information once you are offered a position. Once you have submitted the documentation, the designated agency will proceed with the investigation, depending on backlog and priority.

Each of these positions requires some form of background investigation, which may vary depending on the necessary level of clearance for a position. For a secret clearance in a national security position, the investigation requires agents to interview people who have lived or worked with the applicant at some point in the last seven years or more.

There are four main types of security clearances for national security positions.