What is the final secret clearance?
Asked by: Mr. Sammy Runolfsson IV | Last update: October 7, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (43 votes)
There is no such clearance level as “Final Secret.” This is security industry slang for “You finally have a fully approved Secret clearance.” When you apply for a clearance, the process takes a long time. In many cases, a quick preliminary check will be done.
What is the highest Secret clearance?
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. 6.
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.
How long is an SF 86 good for?
Submitting an SF-86 Every Five Years
For cleared candidates, submitting the new form is an opportunity to update address, employment, and other details.
What is the difference between interim and final security clearance?
Final FCLs can take anywhere from a month to more than a year to be granted, but an interim clearance can be granted as quickly as a month after the submission of the FCL package. Access to SCI or SAP will be determined by the authority granting the access.
The Truth About Secret Clearances 🤫
What does final secret clearance mean?
Final Secret Clearance (Access to all departments at the secret level) Top Secret (Documents requiring special transportation and handling) Final Top Secret Clearance (Access to all departments at the Top Secret Level) Each military branch and each organization has its own terms.
What is the hardest security clearance to get?
Security Clearances fall into three categories: National Security, Public Trust, and Non-sensitive. National Security clearances range from confidential, which is the easiest to attain, to Secret, Top Secret, and SCI, which is the most challenging.
How do I know if my secret clearance is still active?
To determine if your security clearance is still active, you should contact your FSO or consult the DISS.
What disqualifies you on the SF-86?
- Not a U.S. Citizen.
- Not loyal to the U.S. / foreign influence.
- Illegal drug use/involvement.
- Mental incompetency or psychological conditions.
- Dishonorable discharge from the military or revoked security clearance.
- A history of financial problems.
- Criminal activity.
How far back does a secret clearance check go?
Security Clearance Adjudicative Process
The clearance process for Secret level access uses an investigation called the National Agency Check with Law and Credit that goes back five years, while the clearance process for Top Secret uses a Single Scope Background Investigation that goes back ten years.
What disqualifies you from secret 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.
How can I tell what level of security clearance I have?
To determine the current status of your security clearance, please contact the agency's personnel security office that granted your clearance. If you are a contract employee, your company's facility security officer may also be able to assist you.
What is the easiest security clearance to get?
Confidential: This security clearance level is the easiest of the three to obtain. This offers access to the lowest level of classified information.
What is a yankee white clearance?
Yankee White is an administrative nickname for a background check undertaken in the United States of America for Department of Defense personnel and contractor employees working with the president and vice president.
Do FBI agents have Top Secret clearance?
All FBI employees require a Top Secret security clearance; and, like other Intelligence Community components, the FBI marches to its own drummer on the issue of reciprocity.
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.
What disqualifies you from the CIA?
Recent involvement in criminal or unethical behavior can disqualify you from getting a clearance. This includes pending criminal charges, felony convictions, and a dishonorable discharge. In addition, crimes like illegal downloading of copyrighted material can also be an issue.
Does security clearance check bank accounts?
Absent serious counter-intelligence or criminal indicators that result in the case being referred for a different type of investigation, the government doesn't peek into your bank accounts or review your credit card transactions in the normal course of a background investigation.
How many years is a secret clearance good for?
How Long is a Security Clearance Active? A Periodic Reinvestigation (PR) is required every 5 years for a Top Secret Clearance; 10 years for a Secret Clearance; and 15 years for a Confidential Clearance. Clearance holders are subject to a random investigation at any time.
How fast can you get a secret clearance?
Below are approximate timelines for the clearance process: 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)
How much does a security 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 do I know my clearance level?
- Joint Personnel Adjudication System (JPAS)
- Security Investigations Index (SII)
- Call DoD at 1-888-282-7682.
Can family members affect security clearance?
Yes. Family members can impact one's ability to receive security clearance. Investigators are looking for activities or behaviors that would allow potential compromise.
What job requires the highest security clearance?
Examples of organizations that require higher tiers of clearance include national security agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).