A security clearance opens doors to some of the most interesting, impactful, and well-compensated positions in the federal government — and in the private sector defense and intelligence community. Understanding the clearance process is essential for anyone pursuing these opportunities.
Security Clearance Levels
There are three primary levels of security clearance. Confidential is the lowest level, granting access to information that could cause damage to national security if disclosed. Secret is the most common clearance level, providing access to information that could cause serious damage. Top Secret is the highest standard clearance, for information that could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security.
Beyond Top Secret, there are additional access designations like Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) and Special Access Programs (SAP) that further restrict and compartmentalize information.
The Investigation Process
The clearance process begins when a federal agency or contractor sponsors your investigation — you cannot apply for a clearance on your own. For a Secret clearance, the investigation typically includes a National Agency Check with Law and Credit (NACLC), covering criminal records, credit history, and employment verification. For Top Secret, the investigation is a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) that includes all of the above plus extensive interviews with you, your references, neighbors, coworkers, and others who know you.
The SF-86: Standard Form 86
Every clearance investigation begins with the SF-86, a comprehensive questionnaire covering your personal information and citizenship, residences for the past 10 years, education history, employment for the past 10 years, foreign contacts, travel, and activities, financial records and credit history, criminal history, drug and alcohol use, mental health history, and personal references.
The SF-86 is detailed and time-consuming. Gather your records before starting and be completely honest — investigators will verify everything, and dishonesty is the fastest way to be denied.
Timeline
Processing times vary significantly. Confidential clearances typically take 1-3 months. Secret clearances usually take 3-6 months. Top Secret clearances can take 6-12 months or longer. Many agencies offer interim or temporary clearances to allow you to start working while your full investigation is completed.
Common Concerns and Disqualifiers
The clearance process evaluates the "whole person" — no single factor automatically disqualifies you. However, certain issues receive heightened scrutiny: significant financial problems (especially unpaid debts, bankruptcies, or tax issues), criminal history (severity and recency matter), drug use (recent illegal drug use is a serious concern), foreign influence (close ties to foreign nationals or governments), and dishonesty during the investigation process (this is often the biggest disqualifier of all).
Maintaining Your Clearance
Once granted, clearances require periodic reinvestigation. Secret clearances are reinvestigated every 10 years. Top Secret clearances are reinvestigated every 5 years. You must report significant life changes (foreign travel, financial problems, legal issues) to your security officer.
The Value of a Clearance
A security clearance significantly increases your earning potential. Cleared professionals often earn 10-20% more than their non-cleared counterparts. The clearance itself has value in the job market, as it represents a significant investment of time and resources that employers value highly.