Q&A for How to Obtain a Security Clearance

Most police officers do not have a need for national security clearance to perform their normal duties, so, generally no. Police officers have to pass a background check for their municipality, but it's not the same check as a federal government background check.

Only U.S. citizens can get a security clearance, but there are limited exceptions in specific circumstances.

CO8 means you applied for asylum, but have not received it yet, which means you're not a US citizen. US citizenship is a requirement to work for the TSA, so you would not be able to get a TSA clearance with a C08 work permit.

It depends on a number of factors. Things that generally prevent someone from obtaining a security clearance are past criminal convictions that lead to jail time of 1 year or more, current use of illegal or controlled substances, mental incompetence by an approved mental health professional, dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces, unwillingness to surrender a foreign passport, severe, repeated financial problems, intentional false statements made in the application process, repeated alcohol abuse, and a pattern of criminal or conduct or rule violation.

Here are reasons that generally prevent a person from obtaining a security clearance: Past criminal convictions that lead to jail time of 1 year or more. Current use of illegal or controlled substances. A determination of mental incompetence by a DoD-approved mental health professional. A dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces. Unwillingness to surrender a foreign passport. Severe, repeated financial problems. Intentional false statements made in the application process. Repeated alcohol abuse. A pattern of criminal conduct or rule violation.

Dual citizenship does not automatically exclude an applicant; however, questions of loyalty to the United States become a concern.

You'll have to renew your clearance or apply for jobs that don't require a security clearance. Otherwise, some employers may make you a conditional employment offer that's subject to your ability to get a renewed security clearance.

Yes, any type of federal check has the capacity to look into sealed information, You can still plead your case that it was an isolated incident, but rest assured it will be on their radar.

Even if the felony charge does somehow block access to a clearance, there are jobs in the military that do not require clearances.

Former presidents automatically lose their security clearance access the day they are no longer in a job required to have a security clearance, i.e., the day their presidency terminates.

It will depend upon why it is bad. Having a history of not meeting financial obligations is a serious security risk due to the risk of being tempted to engage in unlawful acts for profit. The risk may be mitigated with proof of good faith undertakings to repay creditors or resolve overdue debts.

A security clearance may cost anywhere up to thousands of dollars, but the cost is covered by the sponsoring government agency.

As a general rule, the clearance remains valid (if not also effective) for as long as you remain qualified in the job that requires it, and up to 24 months after you quit, depending upon circumstances. Clearance qualifications are also periodically updated and reviewed, which may include additional investigations.

The initial investigation may take a month or more and issuance of an S clearance may take over 4 months -- longer for TS -- depending upon the agency and your history. It could even take over a year if you have had extensive overseas travel or involvement, or other "complications" in your backgrond.

The agencies involved in the investigation for a clearance will have ways to identify most of the people they need to interview for your file (neighbors, family, friends, roommates, landlords, employers and co-workers, etc).

Probably not. Simply owing taxes is not a crime, or even unusual. If your concern is about many years of violations, especially if recent, it will certainly be a factor that will require detailed explanation to the investigators.

No, a US residence is not a firm requirement for a US security clearance. However, it may complicate and delay the required investigation.

Typically only employees of the US government or contractors who are specifically assigned to work for one or more US government entities can be granted a US security clearance.

Yes, financial problems may be an issue, and foreign entanglement is an even bigger issue.

The investigation may vary from a few hundred dollars to possibly thousands for a secret clearance and top secret background investigations may cost more than $10,000.

It depends upon what other country it is. Dual citizenship could result in split loyalties, resulting in questions about loyalty to the USA, not just for yourself, but for family, friends and other close ties you may have to any foreign country.

Not necessarily. The actual job and the reason for termination will be examined as part of the investigation to determine whether it has any negative impact on your trustworthiness.

Having an OTH discharge is no longer a certain clearance killer; they will evaluate "the whole person" under current circumstances, as well as the details for the "bad conduct" situation.

When you apply for a government job, or to work for a government contractor, where a clearance is required, they will sponsor the necessary investigation at that point.

No lawyers are necessary unless you need to explain complicated involvement in civil or criminal cases in your background.

Juvenile criminal records are generally available to investigations for US federal security clearance.

You cannot obtain (or retain) a security clearance unless sponsored by a specific government activity as an employee or as a contractor.

No, unless you are currently employed by an agency or contractor in a position requiring a clearance, you cannot be granted a government clearance. You may be given a job offer that is conditioned upon later passing the background investigation for a clearance, when it becomes required.

Financial difficulties is one of the major reasons for denial of a security clearance, as it may tend to make you susceptible to outside enticement.

Your sponsoring government agency would typically make the request for your application and pay for the clearance investigation.