How to Get a Waiver to Change an Inactive Security Clearance

Getting your security clearance is extremely important for certain jobs.

Security clearance is what level of secret or government-only information you are allowed to see and know. This clearance is based on the needs of your position and job, as some positions require access to necessary facts. If you have had a security clearance and it has lapsed then you can fill out a waiver through your sponsor to get it reinstated, but you need to be sure that you do so before it has been expired for more than two years.

Things You'll Need

• Security waiver forms
• Security clearance sponsor

Instructions

1. Discuss the need for a security clearance with your security clearance sponsor. You cannot get a security clearance on your own initiative; rather you have to be sponsored by someone, and that is usually your employer. Explain your need and show that you have to have the security clearance you previously had, but which has now lapsed or gone inactive, in order to get your job done.

2. Fill out the necessary waiver forms. You will need to provide all of your personal and professional information, and if it has been more than two years since your clearance became inactive, then you will need to be subjected to a whole new background investigation. If it is before the two-year mark, then the clearance will simply be reinstated to its previous status.

3. Wait. The forms will need to be processed by the Department of Defense, and the clearance will be issued through your employer to you. Once the forms are submitted all that's left is to wait for the red tape to clear.

References

• Get Security Clearance: Get Security Clearance
• HHS: Personnel Security/Suitability
• Clearance Jobs: Security Clearance Frequently Asked Questions