What can make you fail a security clearance?

What would disqualify you from a security clearance?

According to the Adjudicating Guidelines, potential financial problems that risk your security clearance include: Poor credit choices over a period of time. Theft, embezzlement, tax evasion and other financial violations. Patterns of unpaid debt.

Can you fail a security clearance?

You may be denied security clearance for any number of reasons, including drug involvement, financial debt or affluence (being overly acquisitive), gambling addiction, undue foreign influence, reckless sexual behavior, technology misuse, or other behavior the government deems as a risk to national security.

How often do secret clearances get 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%.

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.

Top Reasons Applicants are Denied a Security Clearance

Should you lie about drug use for security clearance?

Don't Do It! Many security clearance applicants become tempted to hide former drug use, such as the fact that they smoked marijuana or abused prescription pills, perhaps back in college.

Will I lose my security clearance if I fail a drug test?

The results of a positive drug test are devastating. A drug test as a result of a safety violation or random employee selection will provide enough information to revoke a security clearance.

Can you take CBD with a security clearance?

Second, the use of CBD products risks tripping up a holder of or an applicant for a security clearance. Although Congress legalized hemp and its derivatives such as CBD in 2018, use of products containing these substances could result in a positive drug test.

Do people go to jail for lying on SF-86?

The U.S. Criminal Code (title 18, section 1001) provides that knowingly falsifying or concealing a material fact is a felony which may result in fines and/or up to five (5)years imprisonment.

Does SF-86 ask about drug use?

Although Section 23 of the SF86 asks about drug use within the past 7 years; Section 22 asks “Have you EVER been charged with an offense involving alcohol or drugs?” If you were not charged and you had no subsequent involvement with drugs, you would not have to list simple possession of use of drugs that occurred more ...

Can you redo an SF-86?

Other times, applicants will approach their security manager with the intent of making a correction to a recently submitted SF-86, only to be told that the security manager has already released the form to the investigating agency and nothing can be done.

How do I get a copy of my SF-86?

You may request a copy of your investigation file under the provisions of the Privacy Act. For an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) investigation request, write to OPM-CIS, FOIP, Post Office Box 618, Boyers, PA 16018-0618.

Can you get a top secret clearance if you've done drugs?

Persons who have used drugs in the past may be approved for access to classified information. In accepting a security clearance, however, government employees and contractors also accept an obligation to remain drug free in the future.

What are the levels of security clearance?

There are three levels of security clearance: confidential, secret, and top secret.

Can government employees eat hemp seeds?

However, the bottom line is--military guidance says the consumption of hemp products is off limits, and as such military personnel and DOD civilians are prohibited from eating such foods.

What can a hair follicle test for?

Does a secret clearance 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 secret clearance?

For a secret clearance in a national security position, the investigation requires agents to interview people who have lived or worked with the applicant at some point in the past seven years, or sometimes farther back.

Do security clearances look at text messages?

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.

How far back do security clearances go?

Security Clearance Adjudicative Process

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 do clearance Investigators ask references?

“The best references are individuals who have knowledge of you over a long period of time, if possible, and who know your work ethic through direct observation.” Strong references can also describe the best of your personality traits—such as reliability, honesty, and dedication.

Does adultery affect security clearance?

Absent the potential for coercion, adultery or an isolated incident involving use of a prostitute usually does not result in the denial of a security clearance under Guideline D. However, when two or more criminal convictions exist, a conviction for soliciting prostitution can be a Guideline J: Criminal Conduct issue.

What questions are on a security 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?