Having a security clearance can give you access to jobs that simply aren’t available to the average candidate. So, pursuing these government designations is important from a career perspective. Unfortunately, these clearance documents are not quite as easy to get as you might have perceived them to be. 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 can you do if your application was denied?
What To Do if You Were Denied Security Clearance?
There are many more reasons to deny your security clearance than there are to approve it. From financial debt to drug use, gambling addictions, or technology misuse, there are a host of behaviors the government could deem inappropriate. It can take the various government branches up to six months to figure out what status they want you to have. If you’re denied after having been waiting for months, it can be very frustrating.
Now that you’ve been denied, what can you do?
If you feel like the denial was in error you can appeal for a review or reversal of a decision. You will receive an SOR, or a Statement of Reasons that defines the concerns that led to the denial. If you’re already a federal employee, you can request copies of the documents and data that led to the refusal. You can respond by writing a rebuttal to the SOR, and some candidates even seek out a security clearance lawyer to handle this process. You’ll be assigned a security clearance adjudicator to review the case.
Ironically, many times you’re denied simply because you make a mistake on one of the forms. You may have missed some required documentation when you submitted the form. Some typical reasons for security clearance rejections include:
- Forms that are illegible
- Missing documentation
- Fingerprints not submitted on time
- Incomplete explanations
More serious reasons for denial could include financial issues, personal conduct, behavioral health issues, and more.
If you’ve taken the step toward having a security check adjudicator, this also extends the process. The adjudicator may take as long as half a month to review the information, but they will get back to you. If the adjudicator agrees with your argument, you’ll be granted the security clearance. You may also be given a list of ways to remedy the rejection and then your application can be reconsidered.
If that doesn’t happen, you move into a more formal appeal process. You can receive this review in writing or a federal employee can ask for a review before an appeals board or an administrative judge.
Say none of this comes to fruition. You’ve still been rejected and none of your appeals worked. Don’t worry—you can reapply in one year if you are already a federal contractor, government worker, or military personnel. Keep in mind that just because you were denied at one point that you always will be. It just depends on the issue that kept you from receiving a security clearance in the first place, which is why it’s so important to ask for the SOR.
Blackstone Talent Group has access to many tech-centric jobs that require security clearance. If you’re wondering how this process works or how we can help you land one of these lucrative contracts, why not get in touch?
FAQs
However, if you were denied clearance, you have the right to appeal the denial and have it reversed. When issuing a denial, the authority that issued the denial is required to provide a written explanation of their decision to deny you clearance. This is referred to as a Statement of Reasons (SOR).
What happens if you fail to get security clearance? ›
In many instances, no security clearance = no job. While you may be the most qualified candidate for a position, you will not get the job if you can't get the clearance that goes with it.
How many TS clearances get denied? ›
Security Clearance Denial Appeals
Approximately 1% of applicants are denied a security clearance.
What happens if I don't get my security clearance? ›
In many cases, failing to obtain a security clearance can result in individuals being deemed ineligible for certain government positions or contracts.
How long does security clearance denial last? ›
Most government agencies allow an individual who has been denied a clearance or had their clearance revoked to reapply for a security clearance after 12 months from the date of the final decision. Some agencies require a wait of 24 months and others of 36 months. The most common length of time is 12 months.
Can you appeal a failed security clearance? ›
You can appeal a decision if your security clearance is denied or revoked by DCSA Consolidated Adjudication Services (CAS) or an adjudication facility.
What percent of people fail security clearance? ›
Unfortunately, these clearance documents are not quite as easy to get as you might have perceived them to be. Just under 10% of applicants are denied by the National Security Agency.
What is a red flag for a security clearance? ›
A history of drug addiction, drug involvement, or alcoholism can provide a barrier to receiving security clearance. Past issues with drugs or alcohol may disqualify you from receiving security clearance. Current, ongoing use of an illegal drug will automatically disqualify you.
What disqualifies you from 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.
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 is the highest security clearance you can get? The federal government provides three levels of clearance: confidential, secret, and top secret. Top secret clearance is the highest security clearance level anyone can get.
What is the acceptance rate for TS clearance? ›
For Confidential clearances, which are the least stringent, approximately 1% of applications face denial. Secret clearances see a higher denial rate at around 3%, due to more rigorous examination. Top Secret clearances, involving extensive background checks and polygraph tests, have the highest denial rate at about 5%.
What happens if I fail my security clearance? ›
If you are a current federal employee, losing your security clearance is the easiest way to lose your federal career entirely. And for those who are applying to the federal service, having several public trust clearance disqualifiers on your record can torpedo even the most promising CV.
Do security clearances look at internet history? ›
While the security clearance process is rigorous and comprehensive, your personal browser history is not typically a factor considered during the investigation.
How do I know if I passed my security clearance? ›
Contact your Security Officer at your service duty station with questions about the status of your security clearance or adjudication of your investigation.
How long do you have to wait to reapply for a security clearance? ›
You will need to check the requirements of the federal agency you will be joining to determine how long you must wait before reapplying for the security clearance. Agency wait times vary between 12 and 36 months.
What happens if security clearance is suspended? ›
If your clearance has been suspended, all you can do is wait. In the meantime, you should continue to be paid, but you may or may not be assigned temporary duties.
How hard is it to reactivate a security clearance? ›
You should be able to get your clearance reinstated even if your previous employer terminated you. If it has been more than two years since your clearance was active, you will likely have to go through the entire clearance process all over again.
