The security clearance process typically includes a FBI reference check of former employers, coworkers, friends, neighbors, landlords, and schools along with a review of credit, tax, and police records.
What can make you lose your security clearance?
Reasons for revocation
Criminal sexual behavior, pornography and repeated, high-risk sexual behavior are all examples that suggest lack of self-control and trustworthiness to retain security clearance.
What are the 5 levels of security clearance?
Contents
- 3.2.1 Controlled Unclassified.
- 3.2.2 Public Trust Position.
- 3.2.3 Confidential.
- 3.2.4 Secret.
- 3.2.5 Top Secret.
- 3.2.6 Compartmented.
What questions are asked for security clearance?
Questions about experience and background
Can you tell me about your law enforcement experience? Have you ever held a security clearance before? Have you ever had access to classified or top-secret information before? What do you consider your most important technical skills?
Does a security clearance 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.
Is it hard to pass security clearance?
Those who have gone through the security clearance process understand the significant headaches involved in both the initial background investigation as well as periodic reinvestigations. Obtaining a security clearance is no easy task, and not everyone who applies will be granted access.
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.
Can family members affect security clearance?
Under national security adjudicative guidelines family members or cohabitants living with you who are engaging in criminal activity can pose a risk to your ability to obtain or retain a security clearance.
What do background investigators ask references?
They mostly asked if she drank, did drugs, or had “business” with any other countries. Or if anyone would be blackmailing her. He also listed her other personal references and asked if I could think of anyone else (which I thought was completely inappropriate).
What disqualifies you from a top secret clearance?
Top secret clearance holders must have no significant financial concerns. If the background check reveals a considerable amount of debt, missed payments, tax evasion, collection judgments, check fraud, foreclosures, embezzlement or bankruptcies, your application might be rejected.
Does porn come up on background checks?
Even posts that are entirely innocuous in context — for example, someone posting about ‘food porn’ — will likely be flagged, and if there are enough flags, or if employers have certain no-go categories, like ‘porn’, it could exclude a candidate from ever being looked at by someone in HR.”
What does a security clearance look at?
The candidate must meet specific requirements concerning character, mental health condition, the potential for foreign influence, criminal conduct, personal conduct and a credit check to obtain clearance. The investigation may also include a polygraph test depending on the security level.
Do you have to have good credit to get a security clearance?
Credit scores are not specifically mentioned in the Code of Regulations as being examined by the Diplomatic Security Service. So when it comes to obtaining your security clearance, there isn’t a clear “cut off” point or range for acceptable credit scores.
Does a secret clearance require a polygraph?
Polygraph tests accompany some Top Secret or TS/SCI clearances; however, they are not required to obtain either type of clearance and are not part of the clearance background investigation.
What happens after security clearance interview?
Once you complete the the questionnaire, the document is sent to the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) DCSA is responsible for verifying the information and performing the actual background investigation. The level of investigation depends upon the level of access to be granted.
What can disqualify you from a government job?
Federal Employment Background Check Disqualifiers
- Citizenship. One of the important questions you will be asked during the federal employment application process is whether you have U.S. citizenship.
- Substance Use.
- Criminal History.
- Debt/Bankruptcy.
- Inconsistencies.
- Conflicts of Interest.
- Final Notes.
What happens to my security clearance when I leave my job?
Put simply, your security clearance “terminates” when you leave your federal job permanently. However, it’s important to understand that when your secret clearance terminates, it doesn’t disappear completely.
What is security clearance level 1?
Security Clearance Level 1: Top Secret
Top Secret clearance holders have access to information or material that could be expected to cause significant damage to national security if released with proper authorization.
Will a divorce affect my security clearance?
In most cases, the divorce process itself will not affect an employee’s security clearance. However, the employee or their former spouse may do something that could ultimately cost the employee his or her clearance and potentially a job.
Are references contacted for secret clearance?
References are less likely to be contacted for a Secret security clearance, but if there are issues, references may be contacted to verify issues. Likewise, if you’re less likely to need a personnel subject interview for a Secret clearance determination – unless there are issues an investigator needs to clarify.
How long does a security interview take?
The interview stage itself tends to last usually 1-2 hours, although different cases can result in varying times for the interview process. Most times, there is just one investigator assigned for the personal interview, but there can be two investigators in some cases.
What do government background checks look at?
These automated checks look at everything from criminal history to financial information (liens, bankruptcies, and the like) and credit checks. CE screenings also include checks of employees’ social media profiles if those profiles are publicly accessible.
How much does a secret security clearance add to salary?
Based on survey data, on average, a security clearance generates 10-20% salary premium with higher clearances commanding the largest increases.
What is a Tier 3 investigation?
T3 is the investigation required for positions designated as non-critical sensitive and/or requiring eligibility for “L” access or access to Confidential or Secret information. T3R is the reinvestigation product required for the same positions. The Standard Form (SF) 86 is used to conduct these investigations.
Does drug use disqualify you from security clearance?
Play it smart at parties: If you’re at a party where people are using drugs, use discretion, as illegal drug use is one reason that may result in a denial of a security clearance. Also, just because marijuana use may be legal in places like the nation’s capital, it is still illegal under federal law.
What are the 13 adjudicative guidelines?
The 13 Adjudicative Guidelines for determining eligibility to perform sensitive duties:
- Allegiance to the U.S.
- Foreign influence.
- Foreign preference.
- Sexual behavior.
- Personal conduct.
- Financial considerations.
- Alcohol consumption.
- Drug involvement.
Can you get a security clearance with credit card debt?
The main concern is that a clearance holder desperate to pay off their debts may try and raise money by selling classified information. At the same time, the mere fact that an applicant has an unpaid credit card balance or medical debt does not automatically disqualify them from holding a security clearance.
Can my spouse credit affect my security clearance?
Your spouse being behind on debt payments does not have to kill your chances of obtaining a security clearance. If none of the accounts in your own name show a poor credit history or delinquency, then your spouse’s poor credit will not likely affect your security clearance application.
What should you not do before a lie detector test?
In addition to being truthful, here are four rules to keep in mind if you need to take a polygraph for a government position.
- Follow your usual routine.
- Don’t overthink.
- Don’t over-volunteer information.
- Don’t “study” to try to beat the polygraph.
What questions are asked during a CI polygraph?
A Counterintelligence Polygraph asks the candidate questions limited to those necessary to determine whether the examinee ever had any involvement with or knowledge of espionage/sabotage against the United States, unauthorized contact with representatives of a foreign government, or unauthorized disclosure of …
Can family members affect security clearance?
Under national security adjudicative guidelines family members or cohabitants living with you who are engaging in criminal activity can pose a risk to your ability to obtain or retain a security clearance.
What is a Level 5 investigation?
A Tier 5 investigation is required for a Top Secret clearance, for DOE “Q” access authorization, or to hold a critical sensitive position. It is also required for all levels of access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) and some other Special Access Program (SAP) information.
What should I wear to a security clearance interview?
For most federal government security clearance interviews, a dark suit with a white or blue shirt or blouse is often recommended. Women should wear minimal makeup and conservative jewelry.
How do I prepare for a security clearance interview?
Security clearance interview advice
Bring a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or military ID card. Bring a personal address book or anything that contains contact information on your associates and family members. Bring a copy of your SF86.
How hard is it to get 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.
What would disqualify you from security clearance?
These financial issues can put your security clearance at risk, according to the Adjudicative Guidelines: Poor credit choices over a period of time. Theft, embezzlement, tax evasion and other financial violations. Patterns of unpaid debt.
How long does a security clearance last?
When does security clearance lapse? Confidential level clearance, the lowest security threat, is good for 15 years. Secret clearance lasts 10 years. Top Secret clearance must be reinvestigated (reauthorized) every 5 years.
What is a level 5 security clearance?
Tier 5 – Top Secret Security Clearance
As the highest level of security clearance, applicants can expect a more rigorous examination. If approved, this clearance gives cleared personnel access to information or material that could cause disastrous damage to national security. Tier 5 is the only tier in this category.