How to Get Security Clearance

Obtaining a government security clearance provides a large number of career opportunities--including both government jobs and defense contracting work. There are different levels of security clearances, and top-secret clearances require an extensive background and polygraph testing. Here's how to apply.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Obtain a sponsor for your security clearance. This is usually your prospective employer.

2. Gather phone numbers and resident addresses of friends and family members who are serving as your personal references.

3. List all your travel outside of the U.S. within the last ten years. Your investigator will need this information.

4. Clear up your personal credit and be certain you have no outstanding bills more than 30 days late. Be honest with the government investigator assigned to your case about any credit issues appearing on your credit report in the past seven years.

5. Prepare for your interview with your investigator. Answer all questions you're asked truthfully.

6. Be patient because the security clearance process usually takes anywhere from 3 to 24 months to be completed.

7. Complete a polygraph test if you're applying for a top-secret security clearance.

8. Await results of your security clearance once the investigation is complete. The prospective employer that requested the security clearance will usually notify you of the results.

Tips & Warnings

• Once you receive a security clearance, you will have to update it every five years.
• If you're not a U.S. citizen, you can still qualify for a security clearance, but it will take a longer time to process.
• The more international travel you've had within the last ten years, the more complicated your security clearance process will be.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Earn your degree from industry experts at University of Phoenix. Take the next step in your career.

[sgemini]

on 9/29/2009 Can I obtain a clearance if I filed for bankruptcy? I had a clearance for several jobs prior to filing.

[mdwarren]

on 5/14/2009 If I own my own company, can my company sponser me for obtaining a security clearance?

[rjestrada]

on 5/12/2009 You cannot apply for a security clearance without a sponsor. To obtain a security clearance there has to be a "need to know." An individual does not determine if he or she has a need to know. Just to correct a few things on this article....- a polygraph is not needed for a TS- a five year periodic investigation is only needed if you have a TS or accessed to SAP. A secret clearance requires a periodic investigation every 10 years. - You cannot have a security clearance if you are not a citizen.- Foreign travel does not make the investigation "more complicated."

[mshyne2005]

on 4/13/2009 Hello,What agency do you apply for a security clearance with?

[mshyne2005]

on 4/11/2009 Hello,Im a US citizen and veteran of the US Army. How do I apply for a security clearance? I want to apply on my own without a sponsor/employer, I want a security clearance so that I can apply for security clearance job opportunities.