What does it take to get security clearance for government jobs?

[vi edit]

I'm assuming that this is something that takes several months to be qualified for, correct? Aside from a speeding ticket almost 10 years ago I'm squeeky clean.

I'd assume it was a pretty intrusive process as well.

Anyone here ever apply for these types of positions? If so how long did it take for you to get shuffled through everything?

 

[AFB]

$5K and about a week. I'll need name , mother's madien name, and SS. PM is fine.

Edit: Anyway, it seems not having it first will get you passed over for someone that does already and I guess you need to get sponsered?

 

[Goosemaster]

.

 

[Jumpem]

You have to fill out the EPSQ from and get firngerprinted.

They said mine was good, and I start work on th 23rd. However, they haven't contacted any of my family or references, so I guess it's just a preliminary pass. I heard it can take up to a year for it to be completed. I've heard bnoth that they call people and physically interview them. I have no experience with mine yet.

 

[Baked]

Can't tell you, it's classified.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: AFB
$5K and about a week. I'll need name , mother's madien name, and SS. PM is fine.

Edit: Anyway, it seems not having it first will get you passed over for someone that does already and I guess you need to get sponsered?

Yeh, it says people already cleared will be preferred. But doesn't hurt to try.

*shrugs*

 

[xirtam]

If the speeding ticket wasn't over $150, you don't even have to put it on the EPSQ. It's not that intrusive of a process. Normally an interim clearance will come within a week, and if there aren't any overhead snags/complications/administrative BS/your paperwork gets to the right people and doesn't sit around for a long time/you didn't lie... you can get a secret in as little as a few weeks, a top secret in a month or two. Otherwise, it could take up to a year or more, but the process doesn't become too complicated for most people who need clearances, from what I've seen. Applicants for new clearances get priority over people applying for renewals because the renewals can get waivers until the renewal is complete.

Edit: My TS did take me 10 months, but that was a rarity. Most people got theirs much faster, and I had a hacking record they wanted to investigate.

 

[Landroval]

I know for Secret level they do contact friends, relatives, employers, landlords, neighbors, etc.