In order to obtain a security clearance, you must first obtain a job that requires one. Your employer – either the federal government or a government contractor – will walk you through the process of obtaining a clearance, after theyve decided they want you for the job.

How much does it cost to get a secret clearance?

The average cost to process a SECRET clearance can run from several hundred dollars to $3,000, depending upon individual factors. The average cost to process a TOP SECRET clearance is between $3,000 and about $15,000, depending upon individual factors.

Who provides secret clearance?

Security clearances can be issued by many United States Government agencies, including the Department of Defense (DoD), the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Energy (DoE), the Department of Justice, and the Central Intelligence Agency.

What is required for a secret security clearance?

For a secret clearance in a national security position, the investigation requires agents to interview people who have lived or worked with the applicant at some point in the last seven years (or more). These are confidential, secret, top secret and sensitive compartmented information.

WHO issues secret security clearance?

Who issues the Security Clearance? There are dozens of Government agencies that issue security clearances. DoD civilians, contractors and military personnel account for about 88 percent of all security clearances. Almost all DoD clearances are issued by the DoD Consolidated Adjudications Facility (CAF).

Is it hard to get secret clearance?

Obtaining a security clearance is no easy task, and not everyone who applies will be granted access. Stringent suitability requirements, particularly in the intelligence community, weed out many unqualified applicants before they ever reach security clearance processing.