Obtaining a top secret clearance is a lengthy process that involves detailed background checks. Clearance denials can occur for a variety of reasons, including financial problems, mental disorders, and criminal violations.
Is it easier to get a Top Secret clearance with a secret clearance?
Contrary to popular belief, the criteria for obtaining a top secret security clearance are exactly the same as obtaining a secret clearance. The difference is the depth and extensibility of the investigation. There are three basic levels of security clearance: confidential/public trust.
What can stop you from getting a Top Secret clearance?
These conditions may disqualify you from access to classified information.
- Drug Abuse.
- Possession of illegal drugs.
- Diagnosis of substance abuse or dependence by a health care professional.
- Evaluation of drug abuse or dependence by a licensed social worker.
- Failure to successfully complete a prescribed drug treatment program.
How often is Top Secret clearance denied?
But don’t lose heart – 20-30% of all provisional security clearances are denied, which is very different from the final clearance denial figure, which accounts for about 1%.
How long does a Top Secret clearance take to get?
In general, expect secret or confidential clearances to take one to three months. Top secret will probably take four to eight months. However, some individuals wait over a year for the results of the highest secret investigation.
Is top secret clearance worth it?
The highest level of clearance can lead to even higher salaries. The Human Resources Association of the National Capital Region also reported that employees with top secret security clearances can earn up to 60% more than employees without the highest secret clearance in a given employment.
How much does a top secret clearance cost?
The average cost to process a top secret clearance ranges from $3,000 to about $15,000, depending on individual factors. The government pays for clearances for military and civilian government employees.
Does the CIA check your Internet history?
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is committed to protecting your privacy and will not collect personal information about you unless you choose to provide that information to us.
Does adultery affect security clearance?
If there is no possibility of coercion, adultery, or isolated incidents involving the use of prostitutes, there is generally no denial of a security clearance under Guideline D. However, where two or more criminal convictions exist, a conviction for seeking prostitution may be a guideline J: Criminal Conduct Issue.
Who has the highest level of security clearance?
The United States has three levels of security clearance: confidential, secret, and top secret. Top Secret clearance is the highest security clearance level in the U.S. Only individuals with this classification know the most sensitive information within the U.S. government.
What does a top secret clearance entail?
Credit and criminal background checks are conducted on all applicants. For confidential security clearances, background checks include additional record checks that can verify the citizenship of the applicant and family members, as well as verification of birth, education, employment history, and military history.
What is the highest clearance level?
How many types or levels of security clearances are available? There are three levels of security clearance, with the highest level being Secret. Secret is the next level of clearance and Confidential is final. 6.
Do they check your phone for security clearance?
A security clearance background investigator does not check your browsing history, read your email, investigate your every move, make phone calls, or film you doing your job.
Does the FBI watch my search history?
As part of the reauthorization of the Patriot Act, law enforcement agencies such as the FBI and CIA can continue to check the browsing histories of American citizens without requiring a warrant.
What do background investigators ask former employers?
Background investigators can ask about a candidate’s relationships or performance in previous positions. They can also ask for information about other qualities such as honesty, integrity, attention to detail, and punctuality.
What happens to my security clearance when I leave my job?
Simply put, a security clearance “ends” when one leaves federal employment permanently. It is important to understand, however, that once your security clearance is terminated, it does not disappear completely.
Can bipolar get security clearance?
Seeking mental health services does not affect your ability to obtain or retain clearance eligibility. Adjudicators view required mental health treatment as a positive step in the security clearance process.
What are the 13 adjudicative guidelines?
13 Adjudication Guidelines for Determining Eligibility to Fulfill Delicate Obligations:.
- Allegiance to the United States.
- Foreign influence.
- Foreign preference.
- Sexual behavior.
- Personal behavior.
- Economic considerations.
- Alcohol consumption.
- Involvement in drugs.
Who do they interview for Top Secret clearance?
In particular, agents will conduct numerous interviews, especially with previous employers, neighbors, and landlords. In some cases, they will also interview parent relatives, especially those who are not U.S. citizens.
Are references contacted for secret clearance?
Although they are less likely to contact references for confidential security clearances, if there is a problem, they may contact references to verify the issue. Similarly, less likely to require an interview of HR subjects for a confidential clearance decision – unless there is a problem that the investigator needs to clarify.
What is a Yankee White clearance?
Yankee White Clearance is not so much a separate background investigation as it is an administrative nickname for a security clearance issued to a specific office serving the President and Vice President. Think of it as a special conformance designation, not a separate security clearance.
Can two companies hold my clearance?
There is no law against doing the two jobs. However, from a clearance standpoint, we do not want this to cause problems. No one owns eligibility.
Who is level 9 Shield?
Level 9 is the access level owned by the Deputy Director. As such, they have access to all S.H.I.E.L.D. files, including high-level projects, secrets, and missions. The only known person who had a level 9 clearance was Maria Duck.
What is a Tier 1 security clearance?
Tier 1 is an investigation of a location designated as low risk and non-sensitive. It is also the lowest level of investigation level for final credentials determination of physical and logical access.
Does the Secret Service test for steroids?
§812 (Controlled Substances Act of 1970, as amended) and includes, but is not limited to, amphetamines, cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, LSD, MDMA, methamphetamine, phencyclidine (PCP), marijuana, steroids, prescription drugs, and over-the-counter drugs.
Can the FBI see through my webcam?
The short answer is yes.” The [FBI] has [surveillance via laptop camera],” Meinrath says.
How do I know if I am being investigated?
You Are Visited or Contacted by the Police – The most common way to determine if the police are investigating you is if they confront you personally. You may find police showing up at your home, place of business, or reaching out to you on the phone to ask you questions about a criminal case.
Does top secret clearance look at bank statements?
They will run a credit check and run your name and SSN through NICS. If there is a problem they will ask you to provide more information. You do not have to provide any information (e.g., bank statements), but failure to do so will stop the clearance process.
Can the government see through my phone camera?
In the U.S., the government pays phone companies directly to record and collect cell phone communications from certain individuals. U.S. law enforcement can also legally track people’s movements from cell phone signals when obtaining court orders.
Can the Feds tap your internet?
No. Wiretapping is one of the FBI’s most sensitive technologies and is strictly controlled by federal law. It is used infrequently and only to combat terrorism and the most serious crimes.
What percentage of people get denied security clearance?
DOD’s denial rate (issuing 90 percent or more of security clearances) has traditionally been reported at 1 percent to 3 percent,” she said.
Is Top Secret clearance worth it?
The highest level of clearance can lead to even higher salaries. The Human Resources Association of the National Capital Region also reported that employees with top secret security clearances can earn up to 60% more than employees without the highest secret clearance in a given employment.
Will being fired affect security clearance?
In today’s volatile employment market, it is important to remember that being let go from a contract or fired for company reasons has no apparent bearing on security clearance eligibility.
What will disqualify you from federal employment?
In most cases, individuals who are tried in federal criminal court are disqualified from government work. Crimes such as fraud, embezzlement, tax evasion, and similar white collar offenses are highly frowned upon.
How much does a Top Secret clearance cost?
The average cost to process a top secret clearance ranges from $3,000 to about $15,000, depending on individual factors. The government pays for clearances for military and civilian government employees.
How can I check my security clearance?
Three methods of clearance can be identified The Joint Personnel Adjudication System (JPAS) Security Investigations Index (SII) calls DOD at 1-888-282-7682.
Do they pull medical records for a security clearance?
This means that investigators have access to any information about you, including sealed records, juvenile records, expunged records, and medical records.
Can my spouse credit affect my security clearance?
Having your spouse fall behind on debt payments need not kill your chances of getting a security clearance. If none of the accounts in your own name indicate bad credit history or delinquency, your spouse’s poor credit will not affect your security clearance application.
Does having anxiety disqualify you from the military?
For anxiety disorders (e.g., panic disorder), a person cannot be admitted to armed services if they require inpatient care or require outpatient care cumulatively for more than 12 months. They must not have needed treatment for an anxiety disorder in the past 36 months.
Does PTSD disqualify you from the military?
Current or past anxiety problems or panic, square phobia, social phobia, simple phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, other acute reactions to stress, and post-traumatic stress disqualify an applicant from participation in services.
What is a favorable security clearance?
A favorable clearance determination establishes the applicant’s eligibility to be granted a security clearance for access at a level governed by the documented need for access and the type of investigation specified for that level in 32 CFR Part 154.