Is SCI higher than Top Secret?
Asked by: Ms. Rosina Murazik II | Last update: October 24, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (2 votes)
Information "above Top Secret," a phrase used by the media, means either
Is Top Secret the same as SCI?
Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI): TS/SCI is a subset of Top Secret clearance and is required for access to highly sensitive information known as Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI). SCI is classified information concerning intelligence sources, methods, and other sensitive matters.
Is there clearance higher than Top Secret?
There's no formal clearance level higher than TS/SCI, although there are different distinctions within the government or military for people who handle highly sensitive information or work on classified projects and actively hold a clearance.
Can you have SCI without Top Secret?
Access to SCI will only be granted to individuals who have a need-to-know, have been granted a Top Secret clearance by Personnel Security (PerSec), and are approved by the Department of Commerce's Intelligence Community granting agency, and only upon completion of a separate Nondisclosure Agreement, the IC Form 4414.
What level is SCI clearance?
SCI clearance has been called "above Top Secret”, but information at any classification level may exist within an SCI control system. When "de-compartmented," this information is treated no differently than collateral (Confidential/Secret/Top Secret) information at the same classification level.
CIA Spy - What Security Levels Are Above Top Secret?
What type of clearance is SCI?
Information "above Top Secret," a phrase used by the media, means either Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) or Special Access Program (SAP). It is not truly "above" Top Secret, since there is no clearance higher than Top Secret.
How long does SCI clearance last?
Confidential clearance: 15 years. Secret clearance: 10 years. Top Secret clearance: 5 years.
Is Top Secret SCI hard to get?
The process of obtaining a Top Secret clearance involves an extensive background investigation. Confidential and Secret investigations are thorough, but the Top Secret version is the most intensive.
Is Q clearance the highest level?
The DOE issues “L” and “Q” access authorizations. L authorization corresponds to confidential and secret clearance levels. Q authorization compares to top secret clearance.
What is the difference between SCI and SAP clearance?
SCI clearance is required for information that must be contained within a certain group of people, while SAP clearance is needed to work on a particular top secret project, often one that's so secret that its existence cannot be acknowledged.
What disqualifies you from TS SCI?
- 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 much is a TS SCI clearance worth?
As of Jan 20, 2025, the average annual pay for a Ts Sci Clearance in the United States is $131,907 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $63.42 an hour.
Is there a higher clearance than Top Secret?
How many types or levels of security clearance are there? There are three levels of security clearance, with the highest level being Top Secret. Secret is the next level of clearance and Confidential is the final.
Who is eligible for SCI Dcid 1 14?
DCID 1/14 requires that, to be eligible for SCI access, individuals must be stable, of excellent character and discretion, and not subject to undue influence or duress through exploitable personal conduct.
Do all ts SCI require polygraph?
The vast majority of both Secret and Top Secret security cleared positions do not require a polygraph. A variety of Sensitive Compartment Information (SCI) and Special Access Program (SAP) positions require a successful polygraph, in addition to the completion of a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI).
Who has level 10 clearance?
Level 10 is the access level held by the Director. As Director, they have access not only to all S.H.I.E.L.D. files, but to the world's most important files and secrets. The only known person that had Level 10 Clearance was Nick Fury.
What are the 5 levels of security clearance?
- Security Clearance Level 1: Top Secret. ...
- Security Clearance Level 2: Secret. ...
- Security Clearance Level 3: Confidential. ...
- Security Clearance Level 4: Q Clearance. ...
- Security Clearance Level 5: L Clearance.
What is Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility?
Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) is information and materials that, because of their sensitivity, require special controls for restricted handling within intelligence collection programs. Individuals requiring access to SCI materials or systems must be favorably adjudicated for Top Secret/SCI eligibility.
What is the hardest clearance to get?
Top secret clearance: This type of security clearance is the most restrictive and provides access to information that can cause grave damage to national security if disclosed without authorization. Must be reinvestigated for continued eligibility every five years.
What does SCI stand for?
Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) is information about certain intelligence sources and methods and can include information pertaining to sensitive collection systems, analytical processing, and targeting, or which is derived from it.
What is the highest level of secret?
Top Secret (TS)
Top Secret is the highest level of classified information. Information is further compartmented so that specific access using a code word after top secret is a legal way to hide collective and important information.
How much does sci clearance cost?
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.
How long does sci upgrade take?
1-2 months for a new Secret (interim) clearance. 6-8 months for a new Top Secret (TS) clearance. 8-15 months for a new Top Secret clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI)
What is the final SECRET clearance?
It's an adjudication term OPM uses which just means the subject has been finally granted a SECRET clearance after successful completion of all investigative processes. A subject in the meantime can be granted an “Interim SECRET” by an O-6 or above (in the military) or GS-15 (for civilians).