Does a misdemeanor affect your clearance?

Asked by: Olga Koelpin I  |  Last update: July 16, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (31 votes)

Regardless of severity, any criminal charge or conviction could lead to a revocation of your security clearance. Even seemingly minor charges, like a misdemeanor, could have significant implications. With stakes this high, you must take any charges or allegations seriously.

Can a misdemeanor affect security clearance?

Misdemeanor charges can also affect anyone who wants to work in the federal government in the future. In fact, some of the offenses that may not result in revocation will still result in a denial of a clearance for a prospective employee.

Do misdemeanors show up on background checks?

Often, even seemingly minor crimes can raise a red flag. A background check in California will typically show a misdemeanor conviction. For example, a history of driving under the influence (DUI) can be a sign of things to come and show that a candidate may not be a responsible person.

What disqualifies you from a clearance?

More specific conditions that may endanger your security clearance include:
  • A history of deceptive or illegal financial acts like embezzlement, tax evasion, and fraud;
  • Failure to satisfy your debts; and.
  • Financial problems caused by gambling, drug abuse, or alcohol abuse.

Is a misdemeanor bad for immigration?

During your application process, immigration authorities will conduct thorough background checks and any criminal history will be considered, including misdemeanors. Having a misdemeanor on your record will not necessarily immediately disqualify you, but it can complicate the process.

Can You Get A Secret Clearance With A Misdemeanor? - SecurityFirstCorp.com

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What does USCIS consider a significant misdemeanor?

A handful of crimes are automatically considered significant misdemeanors. These are domestic violence, burglary, sexual abuse or exploitation, drug trafficking (or distribution), the unlawful possession or use of a firearm, and DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs).

Is a misdemeanor under immigration laws?

While immigration violations are considered civil offenses, §§ 1325 and 1326 are misdemeanor and felony violations, respectively, in the criminal context.

What shows up on security clearance?

Security clearance information

The background investigation will: Review your previous and current employment history, including contact with your current employer. Verify your education, residential history and financial background. Interview your friends, neighbors, supervisors and coworkers.

Can you get a clearance with a record?

If you have a criminal conviction and are applying for a new security clearance, a misdemeanor conviction may not disqualify you unless the crime involves alcohol, drugs, firearms, explosives, or sexual conduct.

How often are clearances denied?

Stats in Security Clearance Denials

So exactly what is the chance your security clearance will be denied? We got some numbers for you on that. Between 2015 and 2020, about 2-5% of security clearance applications faced denial each year.

How long before a misdemeanor goes away?

In California, a misdemeanor stays on your record for the rest of your life. You have to get the conviction expunged or have the record sealed to get it off your criminal record. Until then, the conviction will appear in background checks. This can cause many problems, such as extra trouble getting a job.

How does a misdemeanor affect your life?

While the penalties for misdemeanors are typically less severe than those for felonies, the long-term consequences can still significantly impact various aspects of your life. A conviction can affect employment opportunities, financial stability, and personal reputation.

Do jobs care about misdemeanors?

State and federal laws prohibit California employers from discriminating against applicants based on race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Being convicted of a misdemeanor does not necessarily preclude you from obtaining work in California.

How far back does a top secret clearance go?

Form must be completed going back 10 years.

If not back 10 years, it will slow down the processing time of your background investigation. The SF-86 form requests information back 7 years for employment and residence; however, to comply with the investigative standards, 10 years is required.

Can you get a security clearance with bad credit?

“It's a significant factor,” the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency spokesperson said. For that reason, the person deciding your case won't necessarily deny your clearance application just because you have a low credit score. There is no specific credit score needed for security clearance.

Can you work on a military base with a misdemeanor?

Generally speaking, if a person has a felony conviction that can be a basis for a commander to "bar" that person from the base (meaning not allow them access). Base commanders can bar individuals for other reasons, like a misdemeanor conviction.

Will a misdemeanor prevent security clearance?

Regardless of severity, any criminal charge or conviction could lead to a revocation of your security clearance. Even seemingly minor charges, like a misdemeanor, could have significant implications. With stakes this high, you must take any charges or allegations seriously.

What disqualifies you from security clearance?

What can disqualify you?
  • You are not a U.S. citizen.
  • You were dishonorably discharged from the military.
  • You are currently involved in illegal drug use.
  • You have been judged as mentally incompetent or mentally incapacitated by a mental health professional.
  • You have had a clearance revoked for security reasons.

What records does security clearance check?

Credit and criminal history checks will be conducted on all applicants. For a Top Secret security clearance, the background investigation includes additional record checks which can verify citizenship for the applicant and family members, verification of birth, education, employment history, and military history.

What disqualifies you from a federal background check?

INTERIM DISQUALIFYING CRIMINAL OFFENSES

Extortion. Dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation, including identity fraud and money laundering, where the money laundering is related to a crime listed in Parts A or B (except welfare fraud and passing bad checks). Bribery. Smuggling.

What is the red flag for security clearance?

The most common security clearance disqualifiers include: Not a U.S. Citizen. Not loyal to the U.S. / foreign influence. Illegal drug use/involvement.

What will affect my security clearance?

Foreign Travel and Connections

Loyalty to the United States is a requirement for obtaining a security clearance. Consequently, investigators work to ensure that an individual is not subject to foreign influences or foreign financial ties that could compromise that loyalty.

How does a misdemeanor affect immigration status?

Although misdemeanors are less serious than felonies, they can affect your immigration process or status. Misdemeanors may impact your green card application or potentially act as grounds for removal. However, the specific result varies based on the circumstances of the crime that was committed.

Are misdemeanors not considered to be crimes?

As a general rule, a misdemeanor is classified as a crime. As with all criminal offenses, the source of the law establishing misdemeanors is statutory, enacted by state, local or federal government.

What misdemeanors are deportable?

Apart from crimes of moral turpitude and aggravated felonies, other unlawful acts can result in deportation for immigrants. These include smuggling, drug abuse, marriage fraud, firearm offenses, espionage, unlawful voting in federal, state, or local elections, human trafficking, and more.