4 Types of US Govt Security Clearances (2024)

FAQs

What do I answer for security clearance? ›

Should I reveal unfavorable information about myself on my security clearance application? You must answer all questions on the clearance application form truthfully and completely, but you do not have to volunteer unfavorable information that is not related to any of the questions on the form.

National Security clearances range from confidential, which is the easiest to attain, to Secret, Top Secret, and SCI, which is the most challenging.

A security clearance is like a background check. It is required for individuals who are hired for US government jobs or any organization that handles information pertaining to national security. The security clearance process ensures your ability to securely access, manage, and protect classified information.

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.

Tier 4 (Formally BI or Level 6) – public trust position. Tier 5 (Former SSBI or Level 3) – critical sensitive national security position. This investigation makes the staff member eligible for a top-secret clearance. Tier 5+ (Formerly level 4) – a select designation for staff needing TS/SCI security clearances.

To determine the current status of your security clearance, please contact the agency's personnel security office that granted your clearance. If you are a contract employee, your company's facility security officer may also be able to assist you.

More specific conditions that may endanger your security clearance include: A history of deceptive or illegal financial acts like embezzlement, tax evasion, and fraud; Failure to satisfy your debts; and. Financial problems caused by gambling, drug abuse, or alcohol abuse.

Yankee White – An investigation required for personnel working with the President and Vice President of the United States. Obtaining such clearance requires, in part, an SSBI.

Who holds the highest security clearance in the US? ›

While many federal and military personnel hold high security clearances, the President uniquely stands out due to the unrestricted access granted by the presidential office.

Is Having Bad Credit a Disqualifier from a Security Clearance? The list of SEAD 4 guidelines used in the background checks that determine whether you can be granted a security clearance includes finances, so bad credit can derail your application. It also can be a reason your existing clearance might be revoked.

The security clearance levels include: Confidential: This security clearance level is the easiest of the three to obtain. This offers access to the lowest level of classified information. Secret: This is the second tier of security clearance, which provides holders with access to sensitive classified information.

If you are a current civilian employee of the federal government: failure to answer any questions completely and truthfully could result in an adverse personnel action against you, including loss of employment; with respect to Sections 23, 27, and 29, however, neither your truthful responses nor information derived ...

There's no formal clearance level higher than TS/SCI, although there are different distinctions within the government or military for people who handle highly sensitive information or work on classified projects and actively hold a clearance.

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.

Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI): TS/SCI is a subset of Top Secret clearance and is required for access to highly sensitive information known as Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI). SCI is classified information concerning intelligence sources, methods, and other sensitive matters.

Confidential level is the easiest to obtain. disclosure of secret information could be expected to cause serious damage to national security. The secret level is reinvestigated every ten years and may have some amount of military involve- ment in the clearance process.