How hard is it to get secret clearance?

The National Security Agency denied the most applicants–9.2 percent. The National Reconnaissance Office and the Central Intelligence Agency had the next greatest number of denials, at 7.4 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively. These numbers might seem relatively low, but there's a reason for that.

What disqualifies you from a secret clearance?

These conditions may disqualify you from access to classified information: Drug abuse. Illegal drug possession. Diagnosis of drug abuse or dependence by a medical professional.

How long does it take to get a full secret clearance?

In general, expect a CONFIDENTIAL or SECRET clearance to take between 1 and 3 months. A TOP SECRET will probably take between 4 and 8 months. However, some individuals have been waiting for the results of their TOP SECRET investigation for more than one year.

What do they look for in a secret clearance?

Credit and criminal history checks will be conducted on all applicants. For a Top Secret security clearance, the background investigation includes additional record checks which can verify citizenship for the applicant and family members, verification of birth, education, employment history, and military history.

How hard is it to go from secret to Top Secret?

To review, right now under the current system, a secret clearance is reviewed and renewed and a new SF 86 form must be completed through e-QIP every 10 years. For a top-secret clearance, a new SF 86 form must be completed through e-QIP every 5 years.

What it takes to get top secret clearance

How many people fail top secret clearance?

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%.

Do security clearances check Internet history?

Although security clearance background checks can be intensely thorough, the government can't view your emails, Internet browsing history, hard drive data, and other virtual assets without a subpoena or warrant.

What are the 5 levels of security clearance?

What questions are asked for a top secret clearance?

Questions about experience and background

Can you tell me about your law enforcement experience? Have you ever held a security clearance before? Have you ever had access to classified or top-secret information before? What do you consider your most important technical skills?

Does security clearance check bank accounts?

They run a credit check and run your name and SSN through NICS. If there are problems you'll be asked to provide more information. You don't have to provide the information (such as bank statements) but the clearance process will stop if you don't provide it.

What is the highest level of security clearance?

There are three levels of security clearance, with the highest level being Top Secret. Secret is the next level of clearance and Confidential is the final. 6.

Who has the highest security clearance in the US?

The federal government provides three levels of clearance: confidential, secret, and top secret. Top secret clearance is the highest security clearance level anyone can get.

Does DOD require polygraph?

Outside of the intelligence community or certain intelligence positions within the Department of Defense, some law enforcement agencies also require polygraphs as a part of their investigation and hiring process.

What can ruin a security clearance?

In fact, one common area that can be troublesome on a background check is financial behavior that indicates the applicant is frequently over-extended on credit, personal debt, etc. Having too much debt and not enough income creates a potential circumstance where a security clearance application can be disqualified.

Do they polygraph for secret clearance?

A polygraph test may be required as an add-on requirement to a Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance depending upon the job or hiring organization. The CIA is an example of an organization that requires all of its employees to pass a full-scope polygraph test – even its cleaning staff!

Is Top Secret clearance worth it?

The highest levels of clearance can lead to even higher salaries. The Human Resource Association of the National Capital Area also reported that employees with top secret security clearance could earn up to 60% more than those without top secret clearance in certain jobs.

Can your spouse affect your security clearance?

Your Spouse Can Also Put Your Clearance At Serious Risk

Substantiated allegations of abuse can seriously jeopardize your clearance. Unfortunately, a vindictive ex can also pose a risk as your ex may be contacted in the course of your investigation.

How long does a secret clearance last?

Secret clearance lasts 10 years. Top Secret clearance must be reinvestigated (reauthorized) every 5 years. This assumes no incidents or allegations arise that would cause the government to scrutinize your clearance.

What is the lowest security clearance?

The Department of State official site lists three federal clearances from lowest to highest. They are, respectively, Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret.

What is a Tier 3 secret clearance?

Tiers Three and Four – Secret Security Clearance & High Risk Public Trust. This clearance tier means that you are allowed access to information or material that could cause grave danger to the security of the United States if it were disclosed. Tiers 3 and 4 are included under this category.

What is a Tier 1 security clearance?

Tier 1 is the investigation for positions designated as low-risk, non-sensitive. It is also the minimum level of investigation for a final credentialing determination for physical and logical access.

Do security clearances look at texts?

INTERNET HISTORY, EMAILS, TEXT MESSAGES AND iCLOUD

Security clearance background investigators do not check your browsing history, read your emails, surveil your every move, bug your telephones, or photograph you commuting to work. That's just not feasible, or allowable.

Do security clearance look at social media?

"All personnel who have a security clearance or complete a Personnel Security Background Investigation for a security clearance are giving authorization to be subject to scrutiny of their social media to look for character, trustworthiness, reliability issues and foreign contacts," said Bullard.

Who do they interview for Top Secret clearance?

Once you have submitted your completed SF 86, you can expect to wait anywhere from 3 to 12 months while investigators look into all the information on the questionnaire. In particular, investigators will perform numerous interviews with your former employers, neighbors and landlords, among others.

Will being fired affect security clearance?

In today's volatile job market, it's important to remember that being let go from a contract or fired for company reasons (not punitive ones) clearly has no bearing on your security clearance eligibility.