Federal jobs that give you access to sensitive information require security clearances. Although all federal jobs require background checks, not all federal jobs require security clearances. There are also different security levels and different types of security clearances.
National Security Positions, Public Trust Positions, and Non-Sensitive Positions
If you work for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), for example, you will hold a national security position and require the highest level of security clearance. Politicians and public figures hold public trust positions, and other federal employees hold non-sensitive positions.
Public trust positions and national security positions usually require some level of security clearance, but a public trust determination is not the same as a security clearance.
What Kinds of Security Clearances Are Available?
The 4 main types of security clearances include:
- Confidential
- Secret
- Top secret
- Top secret with sensitive compartmented information (SCI)
Politicians may have access to confidential information or information that could cause damage to national security if disclosed without authorization and would thus need a confidential security clearance. Members of the CIA or FBI would need higher security clearances (secret or top secret) and federal employees working on special programs may also need top secret security clearance with SCI.
Security Clearances Are Not Limited to High-Profile Jobs
Security clearances are required for a wide range of jobs. An FBI field agent may require the same security clearance as a janitor who works in the FBI office.
Any federal employee who is exposed to controlled or confidential information may need a security clearance. Even authorized federal contractors or employees working for companies that do business with the federal government may need security clearances.
How to Get a Security Clearance
You cannot apply for a security clearance. Rather, you may be offered a job that initiates a security clearance investigation.
If you apply for a job that requires a security clearance, you will be considered and accepted first, then given a conditional offer of employment. Once you have a conditional offer, the federal government will investigate you for a security clearance. If your security clearance is denied, your job offer will be revoked. You may be able to protect your job by appealing your denied security clearance.
The evaluation process can be lengthy, and according to the U.S. Department of State:
“Honesty, candor, and thoroughness are very important factors in the process of obtaining a security clearance.”
Most delays and denials are the result of incomplete forms and information. Applicants with dual citizenship and extensive overseas activities may be more vulnerable to delays and denials, as well.
You cannot get a security clearance unless you are:
- Honest, trustworthy, and morally upstanding
- Loyal to the U.S. government
- Physically, mentally, and psychologically healthy
- Free from foreign influence
- NOT involved in criminal activity
Sometimes, something as simple as a failed drug test can invalidate a security clearance. If your security clearance is denied, you will receive the reason(s) for the denial and have an opportunity to appeal.
Get Help Obtaining a Security Clearance
During your security clearance investigation, you will use the Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (e-QIP) system. Review your e-QIP submissions for accuracy and verify the names and contact information of references you provide.
Sometimes, having a trusted advisor take a second look at your e-QIP submissions can be helpful. If you have an federal employment attorney look over your documents, you will also have representation if your security clearance is denied, and you need to appeal.
For 30 years, The Law Firm of John P. Mahoney, Esq., Attorneys at Law, PLLC has been helping federal employees with their security clearances. We can help you, too.
Call us at (202) 350-3881 or contact us online to get started today.
FAQs
Although most jobs that require security clearance are government or military positions, many civilian contractors in industries related to government work, such as aerospace engineers or weapons manufacturers, must also have clearance to access data or conduct testing.
What type of job requires a security clearance? ›
In addition to federal agencies, those working for private organizations that have contracts with the government require a security clearance. Employees of companies, non-profit organizations, think tanks, and research organizations with federal contracts or grants may need to undergo this background investigation.
Do all federal employees need security clearance? ›
Many federal agencies require that you have a security clearance, particularly those whose mission is national security. Think CIA, FBI, the State Department and the Defense Intelligence Agency, to name a few.
Do you need security clearance for FBI? ›
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.
What are disqualifiers for security clearance? ›
What can disqualify you?
- You are not a U.S. citizen.
- You were dishonorably discharged from the military.
- You are currently involved in illegal drug use.
- You have been judged as mentally incompetent or mentally incapacitated by a mental health professional.
- You have had a clearance revoked for security reasons.
SCI classifications are only cleared for a few people and the background investigation process as well as the continual monitoring is extremely intensive. The amount of time it takes to receive a security clearance is usually between six months to one year, if all goes well.
Do TSA agents need security clearance? ›
Prepare for the TSA Background Check With a Complete Candidate Guide [2024] The TSA Background Check is as comprehensive as it comes, and for good reason. Considering security clearance is crucial to the job, the Transportation Security Administration wants to ensure that you are beyond reproach.
Do janitors need security clearance? ›
Anyone having access to classified data requires clearance at or higher than the level at which the data they must handle is classified. For this reason, security clearances are required for a wide range of jobs, from senior management to janitorial.
Does USPS require a security clearance? ›
Postal Service policy states that certain positions always require national security clearances, such as executive positions and certain manager positions. In addition, the Postal Inspection Service is responsible for conducting risk assessments to determine if other positions require national security clearances.
How far back does a secret clearance 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.
If you receive a conditional job offer, you must go through our suitability and security clearance process. All potential employees must complete this process to obtain a final job offer from an agency in the Intelligence Community.
What will disqualify you from a federal job? ›
For example, convictions for crimes such as treason, terrorism, espionage, or murder would prohibit candidates from federal employment. Omissions or deception during the hiring process are also grounds for disqualification.
Do you need a security clearance to be a DEA agent? ›
Possess a valid U.S. driver's license. Be willing to relocate anywhere in the U.S. Able to obtain and retain a Top Secret security clearance. Be in excellent physical condition.
What is a red flag for a security clearance? ›
Criminal Activity and Drug Use
While neither criminal activity nor drug use is inherently disqualifying in all cases, they're always red flags. Whether it leads to a security clearance denial depends on the nature of the activity, how recently it occurred, whether there's a pattern of such behavior, and other factors.
How many people fail to get a security clearance? ›
Just under 10% of applicants are denied by the National Security Agency. Just under 7% are denied by the CIA and just over 7% are rejected by the National Reconnaissance Office. Every candidate is evaluated carefully during the security clearance application process.
What fails a security clearance? ›
Poor Credit Rating and Other Financial Issues
Financial issues, like a bankruptcy or poor credit rating, also hurt the chances of a clearance approval. Serious debts are a definite security risk, as agencies feel that person is ripe for being bribed or blackmailed.
What makes someone eligible for security clearance? ›
Your character, conduct and discretion must be above reproach and you must have unquestioned loyalty to the United States. You must be a U.S. citizen (Dual citizens may be eligible for TS/SCI clearance).
What does security clearance allow? ›
This level of security clearance provides substantial unsupervised access to top secret assets or for people working in the intelligence or security agencies. This stringent security check is much more specialised and tends to be job related.
Do all officers have security clearance? ›
“Any officer is going to require a clearance, an enlisted service member. Folks who are enlisted, it's not always they necessarily require a clearance; they have to go through a basic background check as a part of enlistment,” said Bigley.
Who determines your need for a security clearance? ›
The sponsoring agency decides the level of clearance needed and requests the appropriate level of investigation. The scope of the background investigation varies depending on the level of clearance required.
