Do you know what really defines a cleared role? It’s not just access; it is trust. And trust starts with your background. In the world of government contracting, trust is not just considered valuable. Instead, it is treated as a prerequisite. This means, to begin with, trust can be earned through thorough background screening, which validates your reliability and responsibility.
However, most of the companies and professionals are not yet completely aware of the clearance roles’ requirements. What are the necessary background checks required and the stages involved in each verification? In this blog, we will uncover all those details for you. Let’s get started!
What is a Cleared Position?
A cleared position refers to the professionals who require a security clearance test. This test is typically conducted before giving access to sensitive and restricted information of a business or company. Therefore, a background verification will be conducted for such cleared professionals.
The roles that come under this category include governmental and defense-related, involving GovCon jobs, small business contracts, federal projects, and more.
What is a Security Clearance?
A security clearance is a kind of authorization and a formal status given to individuals who have successfully completed their background check and investigations. It defines your trustworthiness in accessing the restricted and sensitive details. Further, it also helps to show that there are no risks associated with you while federal staffing.
The details that are covered in this security clearance include your past activities, education, financial history, previous employment status, and trace of any criminal records.
Levels of Clearances Required by GovCon
Understanding the processes involved in a background check and the levels of security clearance will help both the cleared professionals and officials managing compliance in federal projects to stay ahead of the verification procedure. So, here’s how it is done:
Public Trust
A public trust is not a security clearance but a basic background verification procedure for individuals. Mostly used investigation types include SF-85 or SF-85P, involving suitability determination. With this, you can perform background checks, fingerprinting, financial history, drug screening, and employment history.
Confidential Clearance
The confidential clearance is the lowest level of clearance test. It provides access to information that can cause damage to national security if it is disclosed without proper authorization. It requires a background check from National Agency Check (NAC) or National Agency Check with Local Agency Checks and Credit Check (NACLC) with SF-86 (Standard Form 86).
Secret Clearance
This is the next stage of confidential clearance because it grants permission to access details that can cause serious damage to national security. It requires NACLC and a credit investigation, along with the SF-86 form.
Top Secret Clearance
The top secret clearance holds the highest place. Therefore, it requires a strong background investigation. This will give access to highly classified details that can have an exceptionally grave damage if it is disclosed without proper authorization.
For this, professionals need to undergo a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) with an SF-86 form. The form needs to be submitted through e-QIP (Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing).
Top Secret with Sensitive Compartmented Information
The top secret level integrated with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) will give access to the most highly sensitive information specifically related to intelligence sources and methods. The investigation requirements for this are the same as top secret clearance.
Top Secret with Polygraph
Polygraph in security clearance refers to the process of using a lie detector to check the truthfulness and reliability of people for federal staffing. The term polygraph refers to a lie detector, and with that, this procedure will be handled. Here, you need to have SSBI and polygraph testing while applying for small business contracts.
How to Get a Security Clearance?
You can’t apply for a security clearance directly by yourself. Instead, you need to apply through a government agency or an approved company. Here are the steps involved in the process:
Application
The first step is applying for the clearance test. Since you can’t apply for it by yourself, you need to be employed in a role that needs a security clearance test. So that your employer can apply for your clearance test. The next step is to visit the e-QIP website and follow the application steps.
Submit the relevant application form as per your level of clearance, such as Standard Form 86 (SF-86) and SF-86P. These forms will collect your details.
Investigation
The investigation may include checking your education details, employment history, financial, medical, and criminal records. It also includes a group of people called the Diplomatic Security Service. They will contact your family, friends, and neighbors. The intensity of the investigation will directly be based on the level of your clearance. In the present day, AI tools are used to make the process smoother and more effective.
Adjudication
Once your investigation is completed, the result will be sent to an adjudicator to evaluate it. This could be done based on the 13 adjudicative guidelines. Those guidelines focus on allegiance to the USA, financial status, alcohol or drug usage, crimes, sexual behavior, security violations, mental status, and so on.
Depending on these factors, your clearance test can be approved or denied. You need to renew your clearance as per the requirements of its level when it is approved.
Wrapping Up
Understanding the levels of background checks is critical for GovCon companies and professionals to build a compliant and clearance-ready profile. It is a strategic requirement that directly affects your eligibility and employment credibility. So, become a cleared professional with GovCon and start leading your role!
FAQs:
1. Can an individual request a security clearance by themselves?
A) No, you won’t be able to apply for a security clearance on your own. It needs to be applied through federal agencies or small business contracts.
2. Do security clearances expire?
A) Yes, the security clearance certificate will expire. However, you can renew it when it expires.
3. How long does a security clearance take?
A) The duration for the clearance approval can vary based on the clearance level. It can be done within a few months to over a year.
4. Is a polygraph always required?
A) No, the polygraph clearance is required in some specific levels of clearance test only. It is not always required.