Is it hard to get a secret security clearance?

The short answer is, you don't have to do anything. If you're hired, the company's security officer will give you some paperwork and the CIA will take care of the rest. A secret clearance really is pretty easy to get... I don't think I've ever had a coworker that was denied a clearance.

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 difficult is it to obtain a 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 getting a secret security 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 a secret clearance take?

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 it takes to get top secret clearance

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 percentage of people get denied security 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%.

Does secret clearance require 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.

How much debt is too much for a security clearance?

No branch of the military has a set amount of debt that is the breaking point for security clearance. You could owe $5,000 or $50,000 and be granted or denied clearance. It's all a matter of how you deal with the debt. Responsible behavior in tackling your debt problems is considered a positive.

Does credit score affect security 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.

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?

What are the 5 levels of security clearance?

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.

Can your spouse affect your security clearance?

When you fill out an SF-86 security clearance application, a number of references are requested, along with information about any spouses or cohabitants. The activities of a spouse – whether it's drug use or gambling – can impact a security clearance, and may come up in the course of a background investigation.

Can you get a government job with debt?

Federal employees and contractors, and candidates for sensitive government jobs who owe money face far more serious consequences than average Americans with financial liabilities. Debt can ruin careers of federal workers and block job applicants from getting good government gigs.

What happens if you fail a CI 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.

How do you pass a polygraph if you are nervous?

Tice says it's also easy to beat a polygraph while telling a real lie by daydreaming to calm the nerves. "Think of a warm summer night... or drinking a beer, whatever calms you. You're throwing them off," he says.

What questions are asked on a CI polygraph?

A Counterintelligence Polygraph asks the candidate questions limited to those necessary to determine whether the examinee ever had any involvement with or knowledge of espionage/sabotage against the United States, unauthorized contact with representatives of a foreign government, or unauthorized disclosure of ...

What happens if you are denied a top secret clearance?

The federal government can take up to six months to approve your application for security clearance. If you're denied clearance, you will be issued a notice (called a “Statement of Reasons” or SOR) that outlines the specific reasons, disqualifiers, or areas of concern that determined the decision.

Is it easier to get a top secret clearance with a secret clearance?

Contrary to popular belief, the criteria for getting a Top Secret security clearance are exactly the same as obtaining a Secret clearance. The difference is the depth and extensiveness of the investigation. There are three basic levels of security clearance: Confidential/Public Trust.

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.

Do they call references for secret clearance?

References are less likely to be contacted for a Secret security clearance, but if there are issues, references may be contacted to verify issues. Likewise, if you're less likely to need a personnel subject interview for a Secret clearance determination – unless there are issues an investigator needs to clarify.

Do security clearance Investigators look at tax returns?

They cause investigators to question the applicant's reliability, trustworthiness, and ability to protect classified information. If the individual requests a hearing, they should produce evidence that they have tackled the problem and filed all of their state and federal tax returns that are late.

Does security clearance check tax returns?

After they submit this form, the applicants are put through a rigorous background check that uncovers whether or not people owe money to the government. If they have back taxes that are owed or have neglected to file tax returns for several years, they could be denied the security clearance they are seeking.