Quick Answer: How Can You Be Denied A Security Clearance?

What will disqualify you from getting a top secret clearance?

Financial issues.

Financial considerations are among the highest causes of having a security clearance application denied.

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Theft, embezzlement, tax evasion, and other financial violations; Recognizable patterns of unpaid debt..

How much does a security clearance cost?

The average cost to process a SECRET clearance can run from several hundred dollars to $3,000, depending upon individual factors. The average cost to process a TOP SECRET clearance is between $3,000 and about $15,000, depending upon individual factors.

How far back does a security clearance check?

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 percentage of security clearances are denied?

myth #1: Many security clearances are denied. Peregrine noted the rate of security clearance denials is incredibly low. Less than 1% of security clearances investigations result in denial. Individuals may not be eligible for an interim clearance, and they may have significant issues that need to be mitigated.

How hard is it to get a secret clearance?

Obtaining a security clearance is no easy task, and not everyone who applies will be granted access. … If this is the case, an applicant hasn’t been denied a clearance, but rather denied employment after already submitting a security clearance application.

Do security clearances check Internet history?

Your Browser History is Not a Factor for Your Security Clearance. … Policy has been updated to include the option of searching public-facing social media sites as a part of the security clearance investigation process, but it’s worth noting that the government is not currently doing that.

What are the requirements for security clearance?

The three national security clearance eligibility levels are: Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret. A prerequisite for accessing classified national security information and/or assignment to a national security sensitive position is completion and favorable adjudication of a national security background investigation.

Can you get a security clearance after being denied?

Federal contractors, civilian government employees and military personnel can reapply for a security clearance after a period of one year. Don’t be discouraged by a previous denial. It’s no big deal to reapply; it happens successfully all of the time.

How often are security clearances denied?

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) denied 8.5% of applicants and revoked clearances from 0.5% of holders.

How long does it take to process a security clearance?

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.

How much debt is too much for a security clearance?

Now, is your DTI considered good? Many objective sources use “no more than 35%” as their “good” debt to income ratio.

Can you get a security clearance with bad credit?

Imperfect financial circumstances, such as bad credit scores, can have a negative influence on your application and potentially cause your security clearance to be denied. However, the dollar amount associated with your financial troubles is usually less important than the reasons behind your financial situation.

Why would I be denied 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.

What is required for a security clearance?

Only the federal government can grant someone a security clearance, and to get one the applicant must work for a government agency or contractor and conduct business that justifies granting him or her access to highly sensitive information.