Clearance Levels Explained
Understanding the different security clearance levels and what they allow access to.
Public Trust Positions
Public Trust is not technically a security clearance but a background investigation for positions that require access to sensitive but unclassified information. Common in healthcare, IT, and financial positions within government. Investigation focuses on character, conduct, and loyalty. Typically takes 1-3 months to process.
Key Points
- Required for many civilian government positions
- No access to classified information
- Reinvestigation every 5 years
Confidential Clearance
The lowest level of security clearance. Grants access to information that could cause damage to national security if disclosed. Relatively rare - most positions requiring clearance start at Secret level. Uses the same SF-86 form as higher clearances.
Secret Clearance
The most common clearance level in the defense industry. Grants access to information that could cause serious damage to national security if disclosed. Required for most defense contractor positions in Huntsville. Investigation covers 10 years of history. Typically takes 2-6 months.
Key Points
- Covers employment, education, residences, references
- Credit check and criminal records review
- Reinvestigation every 10 years
- Can often work while clearance is processing (interim clearance)
Top Secret Clearance
Grants access to information that could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security. Required for more sensitive positions and programs. Much more thorough investigation including interviews with references, neighbors, and coworkers. Covers 10 years of history. Typically takes 4-12 months.
Key Points
- Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI)
- In-person interviews with references
- More extensive financial review
- Reinvestigation every 5 years
TS/SCI
Top Secret with Sensitive Compartmented Information access. Not a separate clearance level but an additional access designation. SCI refers to intelligence information that requires special handling. Requires Top Secret clearance plus additional vetting. Often requires polygraph examination. Most stringent requirements.
Key Points
- Required for intelligence-related positions
- May require lifestyle or counterintelligence polygraph
- Need-to-know basis within compartments
- Can take 6-18 months or longer