If it’s required, then a candidate will need to fill out and submit the SF-86 form, which ushers in the second stage Investigation. This entails a federal agency determining whether or not a candidate’s job description requires granting them access to sensitive information. There are 3-5 major stages of the security clearance application process: The background investigations for Q clearances are strict enough that they are generally reciprocally honored by all US Government agencies that require a Top Secret clearance. If you obtain a Q clearance, you’re regarded as having a National Security Critical-Sensitive job position. A Q Clearance is needed to access National Security Information, Top Secret Restricted Data, and Secret Restricted Data. The Department of Energy also has a Top Secret level clearance that is referred to as a Q clearance.

However, you can work your way up to it if you prove your competence and trustworthiness in a Secret-cleared job. The chances of starting at this level are slim to none. You won’t be granted this advanced level unless your record is squeaky clean, which is determined by a background check (SSBI).Ī Top Secret clearance background investigation must be completed every 5 years to keep an active clearance. They’ll also go the extra mile of getting in touch with your neighbors, family, friends, listed references, and former colleagues. Investigators will dig thoroughly into your financial records in a bid to fish out any fraudulent activity. The background investigations for L clearances are strict enough that they are generally reciprocal with DoD Secret clearances.Īt this clearance level, you’ll have access to highly sensitive information that can gravely impact national security if it’s leaked. This also includes Confidential Restricted Data (CRD). If you’re granted an L clearance, then you have unsupervised access to ‘protected’ or ‘limited’ areas. An L Clearance is used by the U.S Department of Energy (DoE) along with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for civilian access.

The Department of Energy also has a Secret level clearance that is referred to as an L clearance. Upon obtaining a Secret security clearance, the clearance background investigation is considered current for a period of 10 years or up to 2 years after leaving the last job that required the clearance, whichever comes first.Īll US Government Agency sponsors of clearances have a Secret level classification however, due to the different standards of background investigations, they are not all equal in terms of access to classified information across agencies. You’ll also be under a microscope when it comes to suspicious travels, outstanding debts, or criminal convictions. Upon filling out an SF-86 form, you can expect investigators to give your listed references and former employers a call. Therefore, it should then come as no surprise that the process for obtaining secret clearance is more rigorous than its confidential counterpart. This clearance level that grants you access to sensitive information that could potentially harm national security. Here’s a primer that lays out what you need to know about obtaining a US Government security clearance. If you’ve applied for a job that requires you to obtain a security clearance and you don’t already possess one, there are a few things you should know about the process. The more skilled the job, the more an employer will be willing to sponsor a candidate in obtaining a security clearance. The clearance investigation process from start to finish can take anywhere from 6 to 18 months – which is why they always prefer candidates who already possess one. The reason for this is that obtaining a security clearance costs both money and valuable time for an employer. If you’ve been sifting through various jobs on Silent Professionals, you’ll notice that most jobs will require that you already possess an active security clearance before applying. So, a security clearance is your ticket to do so. As part of your job description, you’ll need to review sensitive information. If you’re seeking a private military job or a job with a defense contractor, chances are extremely high that you will need a clearance.

Security clearance application wizard