What Can Disqualify You
Understanding factors that may impact your security clearance eligibility.
Important Context
First, understand that very few things are automatic disqualifiers. The clearance process uses the "whole person" concept - investigators look at your entire life, patterns of behavior, and evidence of rehabilitation. A single negative factor rarely results in denial if mitigated by other factors. Honesty and the passage of time are powerful mitigating factors.
Criminal History
Serious crimes, especially felonies, can affect eligibility. However, many people with criminal histories receive clearances. Key factors include: how long ago, nature of the offense, evidence of rehabilitation, pattern vs. isolated incident, and whether you disclosed it. Recent crimes, especially dishonesty-related offenses, are most problematic.
Key Points
- Disclose ALL criminal history - even expunged records
- Provide context and evidence of rehabilitation
- Time since offense is an important factor
- Multiple offenses are worse than a single incident
Drug Use
Drug use is evaluated based on recency, frequency, and type. Marijuana use years ago is often not disqualifying. Recent use (within 1-2 years) is more problematic. Hard drugs and any drug use while holding a clearance are serious concerns. Complete honesty about past use is essential - lying about it is worse than the use itself.
Key Points
- Marijuana: 1-2 years clean typically sufficient for Secret
- Hard drugs require longer time and stronger mitigation
- Any use while cleared is very serious
- Never lie about past use
Financial Issues
Financial problems demonstrate potential vulnerability to coercion. However, most financial issues can be mitigated. Key factors: Are you addressing the debts? Was there a reasonable cause (job loss, medical, divorce)? Is there a pattern of irresponsibility? Bankruptcy is not disqualifying if handled properly. Current significant debt with no repayment plan is more concerning.
Key Points
- Create repayment plans before applying
- Document circumstances that led to issues
- Bankruptcy shows you addressed the problem
- Unexplained affluence is a red flag
Foreign Influence
Foreign connections are scrutinized carefully. Having foreign relatives or friends is not disqualifying but must be disclosed. Concerns include: close ties to foreign nationals (especially from adversary nations), foreign business interests, foreign property ownership, and susceptibility to foreign influence. Dual citizenship may require renouncing the other citizenship for some clearances.
Mental Health
Seeking mental health treatment is generally not disqualifying and is often viewed positively as it shows self-awareness and responsibility. Conditions that impair judgment or reliability may raise concerns, but successful treatment mitigates this. Do not avoid treatment out of fear it will affect your clearance - untreated issues are more concerning.
Dishonesty
This is the biggest factor in denials. Lying, omitting information, or falsifying records on your SF-86 demonstrates untrustworthiness - the core quality needed for a clearance. Even small lies about embarrassing information can result in denial when the underlying issue would not have. Always be completely honest.