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%.

What happens if you get denied a security clearance?

Even if your security clearance application is denied, you still have options. Presidential Executive Order 12968 requires that denied applicants be provided with a written explanation of their denial and a chance to request a review.

What disqualifies you from getting a 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.

Is getting a security clearance worth it?

The results of that survey show growing compensation for cleared professionals and a workforce interested in making career moves—but not necessarily into the commercial sector. Security clearance total compensation averaged $103,199 in 2020, according to the survey results, a 2% pay bump over 2019.

Will I be fired if my security clearance is denied?

In some cases, the offense the security clearance is revoked for can also prompt conduct investigations or suspension, demotion, reassignment, or termination of the federal employment.

Top Reasons Applicants are Denied a Security Clearance

How hard is it to get a security 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.

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?

Is it easier to get a job with a security clearance?

Both government agencies and private companies with government contracts hire for cleared jobs, roles that require an active security clearance. In many cases, you're a more attractive job candidate if you have an active or current security clearance as part of your résumé.

How much money can you make with a top secret clearance?

The average top secret clearance salary in the USA is $115,000 per year or $58.97 per hour. Entry level positions start at $71,312 per year while most experienced workers make up to $155,000 per year.

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!

Do you get interviewed for a 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.

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.

How often are top secret clearances 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%.

What shows up on a security clearance background check?

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 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 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 jobs can you get with a Top Secret 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.

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.

What is Yankee White clearance?

A yankee white clearance isn't as much a separate background investigation as it is an administrative nickname for security clearances issued for specific offices serving the president and vice president. Think of it as a special suitability designation, rather than a separate security clearance.

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.

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.

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.

What is a Tier 4 background investigation?

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.