How many Americans have a top secret clearance?

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.

How hard is it to get top secret clearance?

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.

How many people have access to top secret documents?

"Top Secret shall be applied to information, the unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause 'exceptionally grave damage' to the National Security that the original classification authority is able to identify or describe." As of 2019, around 1.25 million individuals have Top Secret clearance ...

What percentage of people get denied 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%. Your interim Top Secret security clearance may be denied for a number of reasons.

How valuable is a top secret clearance?

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.

What it takes to get top secret clearance

How much does top secret clearance add to salary?

Based on survey data, on average, a security clearance generates 10-20% salary premium with higher clearances commanding the largest increases.

How many years is a top secret clearance good for?

How often is a security clearance renewed? An individual is normally subject to reinvestigation approximately every five years for a Secret or Top Secret clearance.

How often are top secret clearance denied?

“Probably 5 to 10 percent of the people who go through the process experience some degree of issues,” Bigley estimated.

How many civilians have top secret clearance?

Need-to-Know

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.

Does having a top secret clearance help get a job?

Having a security clearance is similar to having a special certification or degree on your résumé. It makes you more marketable, helping you stand out from other candidates and increasing your job prospects. An active or current clearance may also increase your earning potential.

Can you tell people you have a Top Secret?

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 get Top Secret without 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 do investigators look at for top 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.

What disqualifies me from a Top Secret clearance?

Do you have to have good credit to get a Top Secret clearance?

Credit scores are not specifically mentioned in the Code of Regulations as being examined by the Diplomatic Security Service. So when it comes to obtaining your security clearance, there isn't a clear “cut off” point or range for acceptable credit scores.

Do FBI agents have Top Secret clearance?

The mission of the FBI is vital to the safety and security of our nation and its citizens. Often, our work is very sensitive in nature. Therefore, all FBI positions require at least a Top Secret Clearance; special agents must be able to obtain a Top Secret SCI Clearance.

Do US Marshals get Top Secret clearance?

Must pass an initial Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) and successfully pass periodic reinvestigations. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance. Must qualify in the use of multiple firearms and carry a handgun.

Is NSA Top Secret clearance?

Yes, the NSA, wears many hats as the premier Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) arm of the U.S. intelligence community. Working with the NSA is a noble undertaking and one which will require a national security clearance, most likely at the Top Secret level. What does this mean for you ,the applicant?

Who gets interviewed for Top Secret clearance?

In particular, investigators will perform numerous interviews with your former employers, neighbors and landlords, among others. In some cases, they also will interview relatives, particularly those who are not U.S. citizens.

Does Top Secret clearance look at search 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?

Can family members affect security clearance?

Hardly. Previous questions have included if a spouse being listed on the sex offender registry for a decade-old arrest or if a jail stint would affect the applicant's security clearance. Those issues would likely only be an issue of the applicant was involved in some way.

What is top secret Tier 5 clearance?

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. Tier 5 is the only tier in this category.

How far back does a Top Secret background check 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.

What happens if top secret clearance is denied?

You may also be given a list of ways to remedy the rejection and then your application can be reconsidered. If that doesn't happen, you move into a more formal appeal process. You can receive this review in writing or a federal employee can ask for a review before an appeals board or an administrative judge.