A security clearance is an official determination that an individual is eligible to access classified national security information up to a certain level. Maintaining an active status is important for career progression within government or defense contracting sectors, as it directly impacts employability and job functions. Understanding the precise status of this determination is necessary for a successful transition to a new position requiring access to sensitive data. The process for checking this status depends on whether the individual is currently employed in a cleared position or has separated from their sponsoring organization.
Understanding Clearance Eligibility and Status
Security clearance status involves two distinct concepts: eligibility and access. Eligibility is the favorable determination confirming the individual meets the standards for accessing classified information. Access is the concept of “need-to-know,” meaning the individual requires the information to perform specific duties. An individual can maintain active eligibility even if their current job does not require access.
A security clearance can “lapse” or become inactive if an individual separates from a cleared position and does not re-enter a cleared role within a specific timeframe, typically 24 months. Exceeding this period usually requires a new full investigation to regain status. Continuous Evaluation (CE) maintains status by monitoring cleared personnel between periodic reinvestigations. CE involves automated checks of various databases to identify potential issues, ensuring ongoing confidence in a person’s eligibility.
The Official Systems of Record for Clearance Status
The official status of an individual’s security clearance is tracked through specialized, secure government databases accessible only to authorized security personnel. For the Department of Defense (DoD) and many federal agencies, the primary system of record is the Defense Information System for Security (DISS). This system serves as the central repository for all clearance data, including investigation dates and eligibility determinations.
DISS replaced the legacy Joint Personnel Adjudication System (JPAS). The government is currently transitioning to the National Background Investigation Services (NBIS), a new platform designed to modernize the entire security clearance process. NBIS will eventually become the sole system for submitting background investigation forms and tracking status. Individuals cannot directly log into DISS or NBIS; only authorized security officers have the necessary credentials to view these records.
How Current Employees Check Their Clearance Status
For individuals currently working in a position requiring a security clearance, the most direct method for checking status is through their organization’s security personnel. This contact is generally the Facility Security Officer (FSO) for a defense contractor, or the equivalent internal security team within a government agency. The FSO is authorized to access DISS and provide an accurate status report.
When contacted, the FSO can confirm several specific details about the clearance recorded in the system of record:
- The current eligibility status.
- The date the clearance was officially granted.
- The specific level of the clearance.
- The type of investigation that supported the determination.
The FSO also manages the process of periodic reinvestigations required to maintain eligibility. If an individual is due for reinvestigation, the FSO instructs them to update their personal information through the Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (e-QIP) system. The e-QIP is the secure, web-based platform used to submit the personal data required for a new background investigation. The FSO acts as the guide and final reviewer for the e-QIP submission.
Verifying Clearance History After Separation
Verifying security clearance status is more complex when an individual has separated from the organization that sponsored their last clearance. A new employer’s FSO will initiate a check within DISS or NBIS to confirm existing eligibility. If the clearance is still within the 24-month window, the new FSO can assume sponsorship based on the existing record.
If the clearance has lapsed or the status check is ambiguous, the individual must obtain documentation to verify past eligibility. The recommended first step is to contact the security office of the last sponsoring organization and formally request a verification letter. This letter should state the date eligibility was granted, the level, and the date of the last investigation.
If the former sponsoring agency is unresponsive, a formal recourse is available through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Department of Defense. The request should be directed to the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), which conducts background investigations. A successful FOIA request to DCSA yields official documentation of the investigation and eligibility determination, providing an irrefutable record of the clearance history. Presenting this official documentation to a new employer’s FSO can significantly expedite the process of regaining access.
Essential Information Needed for Clearance Verification
Specific personal data is required to locate the correct records within government databases, whether the status check is initiated by an FSO or submitted via a FOIA request. Accuracy in providing this information is important to avoid delays during the verification process. The security officer or DCSA uses these data points to cross-reference records in DISS or NBIS. The necessary identifying details include the individual’s full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security Number (SSN). Providing the approximate date of the last background investigation and the name of the sponsoring government agency or company is also helpful.
Common Types of Clearances and Investigations
Security clearances are categorized into three main levels based on the sensitivity of the information they permit access to. Confidential allows access to information that could cause damage to national security if improperly disclosed. Secret clearance permits access to information that could cause serious damage to national security. The highest level is Top Secret (TS), reserved for information that could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security if compromised.
Each clearance level corresponds to a specific type of background investigation. A Secret clearance typically requires a Tier 3 investigation, focusing on the individual’s history over the past five to seven years. A Top Secret clearance requires a more comprehensive Tier 5 investigation, involving a full scope review of the individual’s life for the past ten years, including in-person interviews with associates. Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) is not a clearance level but an additional access granted to Top Secret personnel, allowing them to view classified intelligence information held within specific secure facilities.