Does a TS SCI require a polygraph?

Polygraph tests accompany some Top Secret or TS/SCI clearances; however, they are not required to obtain either type of clearance and are not part of the clearance background investigation.

What is required for a TS SCI clearance?

Security Clearance Process information

Obtain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance. Successfully complete a drug test to screen for illegal drug use. Complete a required counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination. Complete any required medical examination(s).

Is there a polygraph for top secret clearance?

In the United States, there is no requirement of a polygraph for a TS. However, a poly can be a requirement for a code-word special access program. Special access programs (SAPs) are those compartmented, tightly control programs for specific areas of intelligence or activity.

How do I get a TS SCI with a polygraph?

What is a TS SCI with CI polygraph?

In general, most employers look for candidates who hold an active Department of Defense (DoD) collateral clearance or a blanket TS/SCI-cleared (Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information) and who have a counterintelligence (CI), full-scope polygraph (FSP), also known as expanded scope screening (ESS).

SCI Clearances and Polygraphs - Not Necessarily Together

How valuable is a TS SCI clearance?

How much does a TS SCI Clearance make? As of Feb 8, 2023, the average annual pay for a TS SCI Clearance in the United States is $120,115 a year.

How far back does a TS SCI clearance go?

The clearance process for Secret level access uses an investigation called the National Agency Check with Law and Credit that goes back five years, while the clearance process for Top Secret uses a Single Scope Background Investigation that goes back ten years.

Is it hard to get a TS SCI?

Obtaining a top secret clearance is a lengthy process that involves an in-depth background check. Denial of a clearance can occur for a variety of reasons, including financial problems, mental disorders and criminal violations.

Can you fail a polygraph by being nervous?

According to a report from the National Academy of Sciences, “[a] variety of mental and physical factors, such as anxiety about being tested, can affect polygraph results – making the technique susceptible to error.” Unfortunately, once you have failed a government polygraph test, there may be little you can do to ...

What happens if you fail SCI polygraph?

The Consequence of Inconclusive Results

So, by “failing” a polygraph or producing “inconclusive results” you might not get the job or the clearance you're applying for – but you also won't lose any clearance you already have or jeopardize your future prospects of obtaining clearances that don't require a polygraph.

What's the difference between TS and TS SCI?

The TS stands for the Top Secret security clearance. SCI stands for “Sensitive Compartmented Information” but it's not a level of clearance. SCI grants access to certain information, such as intelligence sources, methods, or analytical processes.

Why did I fail a polygraph when I told the truth?

The problem with polygraph tests

It's used to measure levels of fear and physical responses, not actual lies. These tests can fail because a person who is telling the truth could be anxious and a person who is lying might not be anxious at all.

What is the difference between Top Secret and Top Secret SCI?

The top secret/sensitive compartmented information is not a separate classification level. The SCI abbreviation is an added specifier that can refer to a singular asset, program or project or the way in which the information contained in the document was collected, Zaid said.

What percentage of TS clearances are denied?

But don't lose heart – 20-30% of all interim security clearances are denied, but that is vastly different than the figure of final clearance denials, which hovers around 1%. Your interim Top Secret security clearance may be denied for a number of reasons.

Can I tell people I have a TS clearance?

The fact that you have a security clearance is not classified, so there's no reason you can't tell someone you have a security clearance. In fact, the State Department and other government agencies advise applicants who have a clearance to include this information on their resumes.

Can you fail a polygraph and still be innocent?

The police cannot force you to take a lie detector test whether you are a suspect or have been arrested. Unreliable results. The results of a lie detector test are unreliable, and many innocent people have failed them. Even if you pass the test, this does not mean that you will not be charged with committing a crime.

Can you get away with a lie on a polygraph?

Yes, it is possible to lie and pass a polygraph. First, the machine itself has flaws which can be exploited and many consider these devices to be, at best, "pseudoscience"; it's best to do some reading on this aspect, as the discussion is lengthy.

Does caffeine affect a polygraph?

Stick to Your Everyday Routine

We have learned in our years of administering Polygraph exams that there are a lot of myths surrounding the process. For example, many people are afraid that something like caffeine or medication will impact their test accuracy. That is certainly not the case.

What disqualifies you from getting a Top Secret clearance?

What tier is TS SCI?

Tier 5 – Top Secret Security Clearance

As the highest level of security clearance, applicants can expect a more rigorous examination. If approved, this clearance gives cleared personnel access to information or material that could cause disastrous damage to national security.

How many Americans have TS SCI?

The 1.3 million individuals with Top Secret clearances are supporting a wide variety of missions, from the CIA to the Department of Commerce. Just because you have a Top Secret clearance doesn't mean you have access to any information out there that's classified Top Secret.

What is the average salary for a Top Secret SCI clearance?

As of Feb 5, 2023, the average annual pay for a Top Secret SCI Clearance in the United States is $109,654 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $52.72 an hour. This is the equivalent of $2,108/week or $9,137/month.

What are the 5 levels of security clearance?

How long is a Top Secret SCI good for?

A government security clearance requires a periodic reinvestigation every 15 years for a “confidential” clearance, every 10 years for “secret,” and every 5 years for “top secret.” When a clearance is inactivated (because of switching jobs or leaving the military), it can be fairly easy to reinstate within the first 24 ...

How long does a Top Secret SCI last?