Many people are interested in getting a security clearance. In this presentation we cover some of the things you must consider before seeking to be cleared.

1. Getting “Cleared” for
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Kathleen Smith

2. What is a Security
Clearance ?

3. A Security Clearance is..
A security clearance is a
status granted by Federal
agencies that determines a
person’s ability to access and
view documents of national
security.
The security clearance is
granted to a specific “level”
and the individual has to
“need to know” the
information to do their work
Each level of a security
clearance requires a different
level of background checks
and testing.

4. Background Checks
An investigation into an
individual’s loyalty, character,
trustworthiness and reliability to
ensure that they are eligible for
access to national security
information.
The focus is on an individual’s
character and conduct,
emphasizing such factors as
honesty, trustworthiness,
reliability, financial responsibility,
criminal activity, emotional
stability.
All investigations consist of checks
of national records and credit
checks as well as interviews with
the individual, family and friends –
past and present.

5. Your commitment and
limitations
Not only will you have a
background check while getting
your clearance…..
All your activities while you
have the clearance will be
monitored……
•Your friends
•Your vacations
•Adopting children
internationally
•Your finances
You will be reviewed and your
clearance adjudicated every 3-7
years.

6. Different Levels of Clearances
Different agencies – DoD, DoE,
DoJ Homeland Security as well as
the Intelligence Agencies.
Levels include:
Public Trust
•Confidential
•Secret
•Top Secret
After Top Secret, there is further
differentiation depending on the
Scope of Work and the types of
background investigation.
Some clearances will last past
your termination date others
expire as you walk out the door.

7. Do only Secret Agents get
Security Clearances?

8. What kinds of jobs require
a Security Clearance?
Not just “intelligence”
professionals, but gardeners,
construction workers,
finance, administration,
computer programming…
Pretty much any job to be
done in a “little city” will
require a security clearance.
Not just the jobs in
Washington DC – all over the
United States, but a high
portion of them are in this
area.
Executive Chef

9. What is the additional
value of a clearance?
It does require considerable
investment of resources on the
part of the company or agency
to have someone cleared.
The work is part of a
government contract which has
“caps” - these will limit how
much someone is paid for the
work.
Some types of work because
they are in high demand will
pay more such as computer
programming, cyber security or
linguists.

10. How does someone
get cleared?
To be cleared, you have
to be sponsored by an
agency or company
doing cleared work.
Active Military or
Reserve in a role that
requires a clearance.
You cannot get a
clearance on your own.

11. How Do I Become
Cleared?

12. So what do I have to do?
First realize the commitment
on your part and that of your
family.
Make sure there is nothing in
your background that you do
not want to have exposed
Review all of your financial and
criminal records.
Find a company that does
cleared work and work with
them for awhile.
Share with your supervisors
that you want to do cleared
work.
Realize you will have to be
patient.

13. All applicants must successfully complete a thorough medical and
psychological exam, a polygraph interview and an extensive background
investigation. US citizenship is required.
To be considered suitable for Agency employment, applicants must generally
not have used illegal drugs within the last twelve months. The issue of illegal
drug use prior to twelve months ago is carefully evaluated during the medical
and security processing.
Important Notice: Friends, family, individuals, or organizations may be
interested to learn that you are an applicant for or an employee of the CIA.
Their interest, however, may not be benign or in your best interest. You cannot
control whom they would tell. We therefore ask you to exercise discretion and
good judgment in disclosing your interest in a position with the Agency. You
will receive further guidance on this topic as you proceed through your CIA
employment processing.

15. Questions?