How long does your clearance stay active?
Asked by: Jakayla Kuvalis | Last update: April 9, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (33 votes)
Your clearance is active as long as you're in a job requiring access to classified information. In the midst of investigation delays, the Department of Defense clarified eligibility doesn't expire – even if your investigation technically does.
How do I know if my security clearance is still active?
To find out if your clearance is still active, you would need to contact your security point of contact for whatever job or agency you worked for that gave you a clearance.
How long does a clearance stay inactive?
A security clearance can remain inactive for up to 24 months, during which it can often be reinstated without a full reinvestigation if no significant changes have occurred in your circumstances.
How do I keep my security clearance active?
A security clearance remains “active” as long as the individual is sponsored by an employer and in a position that requires access to classified information and the background investigation is current.
How long before you lose your security clearance?
Security clearances do not “expire”; they remain active as long as the individual remains eligible and requires access per E.O. 12968.
How Long Does My Clearance Stay Active?
Does US security clearance expire?
Your clearance is active as long as you're in a job requiring access to classified information. In the midst of investigation delays, the Department of Defense clarified eligibility doesn't expire – even if your investigation technically does.
How long are clearances good for?
14. How often is a security clearance renewed? An individual is normally subject to periodic reinvestigation at a minimum of every 5 years for a Top Secret level clearance and every 10 years for a Secret level clearance.
How long is a security clearance valid?
Security Clearance (SC)
It is valid for 5 years for Government contractors and 10 years for permanent employees who require substantial access to secret and occasionally top secret assets and information. An example of a CTC/SC Questionnaire can be found here.
Can I lose my clearance for having two jobs?
Working multiple cleared jobs doesn't necessarily violate any security clearance policies. The issue would be if you didn't disclose a second job on your SF-86, one employer found out about it, and then reported you for a personal conduct violation.
How often do security clearances need to be renewed?
How often is a security clearance renewed? An individual is normally subject to reinvestigation approximately every five years for a Secret or Top Secret clearance. For what reasons would I be denied a security clearance? Various reasons exist for denial of a security clearance.
How do I get my security clearance reactivated?
If a person previously had a clearance and the investigation has not gone out-of-date, the clearance can be reinstated by the agency that originally granted the clearance or it can be accepted and reciprocally granted by a different agency, provided there hasn't been a break-in-service of two years or more.
How long is the validity of the clearance?
An application or request for issuance of CSC Clearance may be filed online at any time for employment, promotion or separation from the service purposes. Said clearance shall be valid for six (6) months.
What disqualifies you from a security clearance?
- 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.
How to check the status of my security clearance investigation?
For assistance with completing the security clearance package for a Department of State investigation or to inquire about the status of your security clearance with the Department of State, email the DSS Office of Personnel Security and Suitability Customer Service Center at SecurityClearance@state.gov or call between ...
Who gets Top Secret clearance?
A Top Secret clearance may be granted to those persons who have a "need-to-know" national security information, classified up to the Top Secret level, and who need unescorted access to FBI facilities, when necessary.
How long does clearance last after leaving job?
A security clearance remains “current” for two years after it is terminated as long as the underlying PSI is not out-of-date. Previously PSIs went out-of-date after 5, 10, or 15 years depending on the level of clearance.
Will my security clearance transfer to my next job?
Technically, security clearances are issued for a position and not a person. As a result, you cannot exactly take it with you to your next job. However, if you are transferring from one government agency to another at the same clearance level, you may be able to get your clearance reinstated.
Can you make more money with a security clearance?
Based on survey data, on average, a security clearance generates 10-20% salary premium with higher clearances commanding the largest increases.
How long does a security clearance stay inactive?
A security clearance becomes “inactive” once a person leaves the military or if their job responsibilities change and their need for clearance ends. Even after it has expired, a security clearance can be re-activated up to 24 months after its lapse date without having to go through the application process again.
Do you lose your security clearance?
While security clearances might be difficult to obtain and/or maintain, there are numerous disqualifying factors that, if left unchecked, can result in a revocation or denial of security clearance. The Adjudication Guidelines list 13 grounds for revocation, ranging from foreign influence to security violations.
How to maintain your security clearance?
Maintaining a security clearance requires understanding and fulfilling reporting obligations. Clearance holders are required to self-report certain events or changes in circumstances that may affect eligibility to access classified information. This self-reporting demonstrates ongoing reliability and trustworthiness.
How do I check if my clearance is active?
Contact your Security Officer at your service duty station with questions about the status of your security clearance or adjudication of your investigation. DCSA Adjudication and Vetting Services (AVS) handles adjudicating your completed background investigation and granting your security clearance.
What will disqualify you from federal employment?
- Felony criminal convictions.
- Arrests for serious misdemeanors.
- Financial issues indicating irresponsibility.
- Dishonesty on resumes or applications.
- Serious mental health conditions.
- Substance abuse.
What is the validity of clearances?
Validity Period
For instance, an NBI clearance is often valid for six months to a year, while a police clearance may only be valid for a shorter period depending on local guidelines. A new or renewed clearance is typically required once the old one expires, especially for job applications or official transactions.