Can a convicted felon get a security clearance?

Asked by: Isidro Batz Jr.  |  Last update: February 14, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (45 votes)

Yes, a convicted felon can get a security clearance, but it's much harder and depends heavily on the crime, time passed, and demonstrated rehabilitation, as a felony is a significant disqualifying factor that requires a thorough background check and potential waiver, focusing on trustworthiness, honesty, and the nature of the offense. Full disclosure and showing that the behavior won't be repeated are crucial.

Can you get a security clearance with a felony?

Any person convicted of a felony cannot obtain or renew a security clearance unless you are granted a waiver due to mitigating conditions of your conviction. These conditions include: Your criminal behavior and conviction are not recent. Your crime was an isolated incident.

What disqualifies you from getting a security clearance?

Security clearance disqualifiers center on vulnerability to coercion, with major red flags including drug involvement, significant financial problems, a history of dishonesty, certain criminal conduct (especially violent or fraud-related), and questionable foreign influence, but the biggest automatic disqualifier is lying or omitting information on the application itself. While past issues can often be mitigated with honesty and improvement, current illegal drug use or deliberate deception is almost always disqualifying. 

Can a felon be a federal employee?

Yes, you can work for the Federal Government if you have a criminal record and were formerly incarcerated. People with criminal records are eligible to apply to most federal jobs, however there are some exceptions.

Can a felon work for the CIA?

Having a single felony is considered a significant disqualifier by the CIA and you're unlikely to get a security clearance. Multiple felonies is a no times whatever number of felonies you have. These types of things cause the Department of State to question your ability to follow regulations and rules.

Can A Convicted Felon Get A Security Clearance? - SecurityFirstCorp.com

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What jobs are off limits to felons?

While there's no universal "forbidden" list, felons often face significant barriers in jobs requiring licenses (teaching, law, healthcare), government roles (police, security clearance), finance (banking, trading), transportation (pilots, conductors), and any position involving vulnerable populations (children, elderly), with restrictions varying by state and the nature of the conviction, especially for crimes related to honesty, violence, or substance abuse. 

Can you be a security officer if you have a felony?

California: The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) may deny a guard card to applicants with felony convictions, but allows for appeals and rehabilitation evidence.

Why is it so hard for a felon to get a job?

Employers may be reluctant to hire individuals with felony convictions due to concerns about their moral character, trustworthiness, reliability, etc. Laws have been passed aiming to prevent discrimination based on criminal records, but many employers still have biases against them.

What is the hardest background check to pass?

The hardest background checks are typically US government security clearances (especially Top Secret/SCI) and those for high-level law enforcement, involving deep dives into criminal, financial (credit), employment, and personal history (interviews with associates) via extensive forms like the SF-86, far exceeding standard employment screening. These checks scrutinize all life aspects for integrity, reliability, and potential security risks, often requiring disclosure of past drug use, financial issues, and undisclosed criminal records, making them incredibly difficult to pass if issues exist. 

Does the FBI hire felons?

FBI Eligibility

To be eligible for employment, you must adhere to the following guidelines prior to application consideration: Be a U.S. citizen. Public record must be in good standing with no felony convictions.

What can jeopardize a security clearance?

Common Criminal Charges That Threaten Security Clearances

  • Domestic Violence. ...
  • Child Pornography or Sexual Offenses. ...
  • Drug Offenses. ...
  • Alcohol-Related Offenses. ...
  • Fraud and Financial Crimes.

How far back do they check for security clearance?

The SF-86 form requests information back 7 years for employment and residence; however, to comply with the investigative standards, 10 years is required.

What stops you from getting a security clearance?

Personal conduct is one of the most significant areas that AGSVA evaluates when deciding whether to grant a clearance. This category includes: Dishonesty: Providing false, misleading, or incomplete information in the security clearance application can immediately disqualify an applicant.

How long does a felony stay on your record in the US?

A felony conviction typically stays on your U.S. criminal record indefinitely, creating a permanent history, but specific states offer remedies like expungement or sealing after waiting periods (often 7+ years) and meeting strict criteria, though serious or violent felonies are often ineligible. Options depend heavily on your state, the crime's severity, and your behavior since, with some "Clean Slate" laws automatically sealing records. 

Can a convicted felon get clear?

No, felony convictions do not automatically disappear after any time period. They remain permanently on your criminal record unless you successfully petition for expungement, sealing, or receive a pardon.

What automatically disqualifies you from a security clearance?

What's an Automatic Disqualifier for a Security Clearance? Outside of requiring American citizenship, there is only one thing that is an automatic disqualifier for obtaining a federal security clearance – current, ongoing use of an illegal drug.

What looks bad on a background check?

Things that look bad on a background check include criminal records (especially job-related offenses), significant inconsistencies on resumes (like falsified degrees or job titles), frequent job hopping, unexplained employment gaps, poor credit (for financial roles), negative social media activity (hate speech, unprofessionalism), and failed drug/driving tests, all suggesting dishonesty, instability, or risk to the employer. 

What states are felony friendly?

These Are the States Most Likely to Hire Former Felons

  • California.
  • Colorado.
  • Kansas.
  • Maryland.
  • Massachusetts.
  • Montana.
  • Nevada.
  • New Hampshire.

What are the 4 levels of security clearance?

The four main levels of U.S. security clearance, from lowest to highest potential impact, are Confidential, Secret, Top Secret, and often added to these, Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), which controls access to particularly sensitive intelligence, with each level requiring progressively deeper background investigations and reflecting the potential damage from unauthorized disclosure (damage, serious damage, exceptionally grave damage). 

What jobs do not accept felons?

While there's no universal "forbidden" list, felons often face significant barriers in jobs requiring licenses (teaching, law, healthcare), government roles (police, security clearance), finance (banking, trading), transportation (pilots, conductors), and any position involving vulnerable populations (children, elderly), with restrictions varying by state and the nature of the conviction, especially for crimes related to honesty, violence, or substance abuse. 

Why does no one hire felons?

Some occupations, such as those involving contact with children, are legally closed to people with felony convictions. And employers may be legally liable for the crimes committed by employees and so be wary of hiring those who already have a record.

What big companies hire felons?

You will have to check out their hiring website, do the research and follow the application process like normal.

  • • Aamco. • Ace Hardware. • Allied Van Lines. ...
  • • Chipotle. • Cintas. • Community Education Centers. ...
  • • Hilton Hotels. • Home Depot. • IBM. ...
  • • U-Haul. • US Steal Corporation. ...
  • • Golden Corral. • Great Clips.

What is the best career path for a felon?

Good jobs for felons are often in high-demand, hands-on industries like skilled trades (construction, welding, HVAC), transportation (trucking, delivery), food service (cooking, kitchen staff), manufacturing & warehousing (forklift operator, assembly), and the gig/freelance economy (writing, web development), focusing on performance-based roles and companies with second-chance hiring, as many large corporations and startups value work ethic over past mistakes.
 

What are you not allowed to do as a felon?

Felons often lose rights to vote, own firearms, and serve on juries, face significant employment and housing barriers, and may be ineligible for certain public benefits, professional licenses, student aid, or military service, with specific restrictions varying greatly by state and conviction, though many rights can potentially be restored through pardons or expungements.
 

Does the National Guard hire felons?

Security and Background Checks

All interested individuals must clear a criminal background check and have no felony convictions.