Passing a background check and receiving clearance is among the biggest barriers to federal employment. This can make holding an active clearance (or being eligible for one) one of the most valuable assets for advancing your federal career. If you can get a job that confers a clearance, you’ll often be able to move into subsequent cleared roles without repeating the full investigation process, which makes you much more competitive for future government roles.

This guide explains how the clearance system works, which roles require clearances, and how to navigate the process successfully. This is especially relevant for emerging technology policy, where national security considerations make clearances particularly common and valuable.

Levels of background checks and security clearances

All federal jobs and most contractor positions require background checks. There are three progressively more intense levels of vetting¹, depending on the position: 

1. Credentialing: Basic identity, background, and criminal history checks confirming you’re who you say you are and are legally eligible for government work. Required for all federal employees.
2. Suitability: Deeper check demonstrating honesty, reliability, and financial responsibility for “Public Trust” positions, which involve sensitive but unclassified information (low, moderate, or high risk).²
3. Security Clearance: Required for positions that involve accessing Confidential, Secret, or Top Secret classified information. Involves extensive background checks that can include interviews with you and your contacts and, in rare cases, a polygraph exam.

For security clearances, there are three levels of classified national security information and corresponding security clearance levels:

Clearance level	Description	Distribution of Clearances by Level	Processing Time
Confidential	Unauthorized disclosure could cause damage to national security	Less than 10% of all clearance are granted at this level	Average Case: 4-5 months; Complex cases: 6-12 months
Secret	Unauthorized disclosure could cause serious damage to national security	About 65% of all clearances are granted at this level	Processing times are the same as Confidential clearance
Top Secret (TS)	Unauthorized disclosure could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security	About 25% of all clearances are granted at this level	Average: 8 months; Complex cases: 12+ months

Confidential clearances are rarely issued because they require the same investigation as Secret clearances. (It’s more practical to issue Secret clearances to personnel who primarily need Confidential access but may occasionally require Secret access.)

Beyond Secret or TS clearances, some positions require access to: 

• Special Access Programs (SAPs) – particularly sensitive 1) Intelligence, 2) Acquisition, and 3) Operations/Support projects.
• Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) – an Intelligence SAP, access to which generally occurs within a secure office space, known as a “Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility” (SCIF) or a “vault.”

These aren’t separate clearance “levels” but rather additional formal access authorizations that impose stricter safeguarding and access requirements. In practice, this means you may need both a clearance and a specific authorization for SCI or other SAPs to work on certain projects. Some SCI and other SAPs require a polygraph examination.³ 

Depending on the position and agency, you may receive an interim clearance (also known as temporary eligibility) based on a preliminary investigation. This allows you to perform most classified work temporarily until the full background investigation and final clearance determination are completed. Interim clearances can often be granted within weeks of submitting your SF-86, provided no unmitigated disqualifying issues surface during the preliminary investigation. Agencies may withdraw interim clearances at any time if new concerns emerge during the full investigation. Failure to receive or withdrawal of an interim clearance is not considered a clearance denial or revocation.

What’s the process for getting a security clearance?

The security clearance process begins when you are sponsored by an employer (typically a federal agency or government contractor) for a position that requires access to classified information. You cannot apply for a clearance on your own. Once sponsored, you’ll complete the Standard Form 86 (SF-86), an extensive questionnaire that covers your personal history, finances, foreign contacts, and more.⁴

After submission, your application goes through several stages:

1. Review and Initial Determination: If you’re applying for a contractor position, your company’s Facility Security Officer (FSO) will review your SF-86 for completeness and forward it to a government security office. Federal applicants submit directly to a government security office, where preliminary record checks and SF-86 review are conducted for completeness and potentially disqualifying information. Based on this review, an agency may:
   • Approve and initiate a background investigation, or 
   • Approve, initiate a background investigation, and issue an interim clearance, or 
   • Reject the application due to errors or omissions and return it to the applicant for corrections. 
2. Background Investigation: 
   • For Secret clearances, this stage typically involves mailed inquiries and computerized record checks, including credit reports. If issues arise, investigators may conduct in-person subject interviews, reference interviews, and additional record checks.
   • For TS and SCI, this stage is much more intensive: in addition to the Secret clearance checks, investigators conduct a subject interview with you (often 1-3+ hours) and interviews with employers, coworkers, school associates, neighbors, and personal references from the past 7 years to corroborate your SF-86.
     • This stage can also include a polygraph examination (a “poly”), which is often required for positions in the intelligence community (IC) and law enforcement agencies, but only rarely in other parts of government. 
3. Adjudication: Following the investigation, an adjudicator reviews the findings against Security Executive Agent Directive 4 (SEAD-4) guidelines and makes a decision. If unmitigated security concerns exist, the agency may issue you a Statement of Reasons (SOR)—a formal notice explaining why they have denied your clearance or why they intend to. An SOR is not the final decision; it gives you an opportunity to submit additional evidence or mitigating information before adjudicators make a determination.⁵
4. Appeals (“Adjudication with a capital A”): If your clearance is formally denied or revoked, you can appeal. This begins a more complex process, with over 70 different adjudicative systems depending on the agency (executive branch agencies and regulatory commissions all run their own). However, all agencies must follow the basic appeal requirements in Executive Order 12968. In an appeal, you may submit written responses, supporting documents, and usually have the chance to make a personal appearance before an administrative judge or appeals panel. Your chance of success depends heavily on the strength of your evidence and whether you can demonstrate changes, rehabilitation, or mitigating circumstances.

What roles do you need a security clearance for?

Security clearance requirements vary significantly across US policy roles: for example, congressional staff rarely need clearances, while intelligence agency staff almost always do. The table below outlines where clearances are most common, the typical clearance level required, and common entry pathways to obtain one.

Institution	How common are clearances?	Common entry pathways
Executive Office of the President (“White House”, e.g. NSC, OSTP)	Very common, especially for national security roles. Interim TS/SCI may be granted for incoming staff for up to 6 months.	Political appointments; agency detailees; fellowships (e.g. White House Fellows must be TS-clearable); internships (public trust only)
Federal departments & agencies (e.g. Departments of Defense, State, Commerce)	Sometimes: common for those with a national security mission, such as the Department of Defense (DOD).6 All federal employees must pass a basic background check, regardless of whether their role requires clearance.	Pathways internships; fellowships; scholarships for public service (e.g. SMART), civil-service hiring; military service; contractor-to-agency transitions. USAJobs lets you filter your searches based on security clearance level.
Intelligence Community (e.g. CIA, FBI)	Virtually always TS/SCI, often includes a polygraph examination.7	Direct agency hiring; IC internships; scholarships for public service (e.g. SMART); contractor-to-agency transitions
Congress	Rare: Only select staff require clearances (e.g. those on Intelligence, Armed Services, or Homeland Security committees, or who staff a member sitting on one of these committees). Congress has strict limits on cleared staff slots and doesn’t offer interim clearances.8	Member/committee staff hiring; congressional fellowships; detailees from agencies (who bring their clearance)
National Labs & FFRDCs (DOE labs, RAND, MITRE, etc.)	Very common (e.g. for work on nuclear materials and weapons programs, sensitive energy infrastructure, cybersecurity and defense research).	Internships, postdocs, and fellowships (e.g. NNSA Graduate Fellowship → Q clearance); direct lab hiring; contractor-to-lab transitions
University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs)9	Very common, given work on DOD projects	University-affiliated hiring; graduate research positions; transitions from academia
Think tanks / nonprofits	Rare: Most standard DC think tanks (including those working on national security topics) have ~no cleared positions. Clearances can be required in unique cases, such as if a think tank or nonprofit operates FFRDCs or national labs under federal contract (e.g. RAND) or hosts sensitive advisory panels for government.	Internships; fellowships; direct hire
Contractors	Very common for defense/national security-related work (e.g. Booz Allen)10	College recruiting; internships; veterans; lateral hiring between firms. See contractor postings on ClearedJobs.Net or ClearanceJobs.com

What can disqualify you (and how to mitigate it)

Failing a clearance application or other background check can create a permanent record that makes future federal employment more difficult, so it’s important to avoid such situations if possible. If you are denied, you can generally be sponsored again after a year and a day. 

Clearance decisions are based on the 13 adjudicative guidelines in the SEAD-4, which cover areas such as foreign influence, finances, personal conduct, and drug use. Adjudicators apply a “whole person” concept, weighing factors like the seriousness and recency of the conduct, whether it happened when you were younger, and whether you’ve shown rehabilitation or lasting changes in behavior. Young applicants, for example, may receive some leniency for past behavior.¹¹ 

Most factors that can make getting a security clearance more difficult (e.g. bad debt, illegal drug use) can often be mitigated and won’t automatically disqualify you, but a pattern of poor judgment or misconduct can add up to a denial. In some cases, one major issue (like deliberate dishonesty or serious criminal activity) can disqualify you.

The following list highlights several areas of concern that most commonly cause clearance delays or denials. 

Foreign influence 

Foreign ties—such as family, friends, property, or business interests overseas—can raise security concerns if they create the possibility of divided loyalty or make you vulnerable to pressure from a foreign government or group. Concern level depends partly on the country involved (e.g. whether that country actively targets US citizens for intelligence purposes or has a history of supporting terrorism).

Typical risk factors

• “Close and/or continuing contact” with foreign nationals, especially in countries of concern (China, Russia, Iran, Cuba)
• Financial or property interests abroad (foreign bank accounts, investments, or real estate)
• Receiving benefits, payments, or employment from a foreign government
• Immediate family members who are foreign citizens or residents
• Living with or being married to someone (regardless of citizenship status) who could create risk of foreign inducement, manipulation, or coercion

What can mitigate risk

• Relationships with foreign persons are low-risk, casual, and infrequent (i.e. “arms-length” business relationships), and unlikely to create divided loyalties
• Any sense of loyalty to foreign persons is minimal compared to strong US ties
• The individual promptly reports required foreign contacts or requests to their agency
• Foreign business, financial, or property interests are routine, low-value, and unlikely to be used for leverage

The clearance process asks for your “close and/or continuing foreign contacts”; seek advice on who counts and does not count as a foreign contact. As one of the linked articles notes, “many well-meaning security clearance applicants over-report their foreign contacts,” which can lead to substantial delays and can sometimes “rise to the level of an initial security clearance denial that takes time and expense to challenge.” If you’re uncertain who among your foreign contacts passes the threshold, consider talking to a security clearance lawyer, which could save you significant time (and even money, if you can thereby avoid an initial clearance denial). Anecdotally, people can interpret the foreign contact reporting requirements very differently, leading many to over-report.

A related but less common issue is foreign preference, which arises when someone takes actions suggesting they place another country’s interests above those of the US. Examples include applying for foreign citizenship, voting in a foreign election, or holding office in a foreign government. Simply having dual citizenship is not disqualifying on its own, but attempts to conceal it or to actively exercise foreign citizenship rights can raise concerns.  Some agencies, particularly in the intelligence community, may require applicants to renounce foreign citizenship or surrender a foreign passport as a condition of employment.¹²

Personal conduct

Dishonesty, unwillingness to follow rules, or questionable judgment can “raise questions about an individual’s reliability, trustworthiness, and ability to protect classified or sensitive information.” Refusal or failure to comply with security processing (e.g. subject interview, medical or psychological evaluation, poly) or refusal to provide “full, frank, and truthful answers to lawful questions of investigators” will normally result in clearance denial. 

Typical risk factors

• Lying or omitting relevant facts on the SF-86 
• Refusal or failure to comply with security processing, such as completing a subject interview, medical or psychological evaluation, and/or a polygraph exam
• Providing false or misleading information to investigators, employers, or medical professionals involved in the process
• Patterns of dishonesty, disruptive or violent behavior, or repeated rule violations
• Misuse of government or employer time and resources
• Behavior that creates vulnerability to coercion or blackmail (e.g. concealing activities that could harm one’s reputation)
• Violating written agreements made with an employer as a condition of employment
• Association with people involved in criminal activity

What can mitigate risk

• Promptly correcting mistakes or omissions in good faith, before being confronted
• Refusal or omission was due to legal advice or misunderstanding, followed by full cooperation once clarified
• Behavior was minor, rare, or happened long ago and is unlikely to recur
• Acknowledging past behavior and showing evidence of counseling or corrective steps
• Taking steps to reduce vulnerability to coercion or blackmail
• Evidence is unsubstantiated or comes from unreliable sources
• Associations with people involved in crime were unknowing, have ended, or occur in circumstances that do not undermine trustworthiness

Financial considerations

Financial problems can raise doubts about a person’s judgment, reliability, and trustworthiness: being financially overextended can increase the risk of obtaining money illegally, and serious financial distress may heighten risk for other issues, such as gambling, substance misuse, or alcohol abuse.

Typical risk factors

• Inability or unwillingness to pay debts (e.g. a history of late or missed payments, accounts in collections, or defaulted loans).
• Deceptive or illegal financial practices 
• Consistent spending beyond one’s means, excessive indebtedness, or chronic late payments
• Failure to file or pay taxes as required¹³, or filing fraudulent returns
• Unexplained wealth inconsistent with known income
• Gambling debts, borrowing to fund gambling, or concealing gambling-related losses

What can mitigate risk

• Financial problems happened a long time ago, were isolated, or are unlikely to recur
• Problems were caused by circumstances beyond your control (job loss, medical emergency, divorce, predatory lending, identity theft), and you acted responsibly in response
• Seeking help through legitimate financial counseling and showing clear progress in resolving issues
• Making a good-faith effort to repay debts or resolve them
• Providing documentation to dispute debts that aren’t legitimate
• Demonstrating that apparent “affluence” comes from legal income sources
• Resolving unpaid taxes

In a nutshell, file and pay your taxes on time, even if the federal or state governments owe you, and keep your short-term, revolving debt low. Strive for a clean credit report, as it’s one of the first items a Security Office will review.

Drug involvement and substance misuse

Illegal drug use, the misuse of prescription or non-prescription drugs, or use of any substance in a way that impairs judgment or violates the law raises doubts about an individual’s reliability and trustworthiness. Ongoing misuse may signal deeper issues (e.g. addiction, disregard for regulations) and creates risk when combined with access to sensitive information.

Typical risk factors

• Any federally illegal drug use, including marijuana¹⁴ 
• Misuse of prescription or non-prescription drugs
• Positive drug test for an illegal substance
• Illegal possession, cultivation, sale, or distribution of controlled substances
• Diagnosis of a substance use disorder by a qualified medical or mental health professional
• Failing to complete a prescribed drug treatment program
• Using drugs while holding a clearance or sensitive position
• Stating an intent to continue drug use or failing to commit to stopping

What can mitigate risk

• Drug use was isolated, happened a long time ago, or under circumstances unlikely to recur
• The individual acknowledges past misuse, shows evidence of recovery, and establishes a clear pattern of abstinence
• Steps have been taken to avoid relapse, such as disassociating from drug-using peers or avoiding prior environments
• Written commitment to abstain from future use
• Prescription drug misuse occurred during legitimate medical treatment and has since ended
• Successful completion of a recognized treatment or rehabilitation program, with evidence of ongoing recovery or aftercare

In short, avoid using illegal drugs, including drugs that are legal locally but illegal federally, such as marijuana in many US states. Whether drug use affects clearance eligibility depends on factors like the types of drugs, the frequency, recency, and circumstances of use. While experimentation during college with marijuana generally does not prevent you from getting a security clearance in the future, we recommend avoiding any illegal drugs if you are interested in working for the government later. The SF-86 reporting window for illegal drug use is seven years. But some questions ask whether you have ever engaged in certain activities, including voluntarily seeking counseling or treatment for drug use, or being advised or ordered to do so. These “ever” questions don’t automatically disqualify you but give investigators a fuller picture of your history and how you’ve addressed past issues.

Psychological conditions

Emotional, mental, or personality conditions can raise concerns if they impair judgment, reliability, or trustworthiness. A formal diagnosis is not required for adjudicators to consider this area, but they typically rely on evaluations from qualified mental health professionals. Importantly, counseling or treatment is not itself disqualifying; in fact, “seeking or receiving mental health care for personal wellness and recovery may contribute favorably to decisions about your eligibility.”

Typical risk factors

• Behavior that suggests poor judgment or instability (e.g. violence, self-harm, impulsivity, paranoia, or chronic dishonesty) not covered under other guidelines
• A professional opinion that a condition may impair judgment, stability, or reliability
• Voluntary or involuntary inpatient hospitalization for a psychological condition
• Failure to follow a prescribed treatment plan (e.g. not taking prescribed medication, skipping required counseling)
• Pathological gambling, especially if it leads to debt, concealment, or family conflict

What can mitigate risk

• The condition is well-controlled through treatment, with demonstrated compliance over time
• The individual voluntarily sought treatment, and the prognosis from a qualified professional was favorable
• A recent professional opinion finds the condition under control or in remission, with low likelihood of recurrence
• The condition was temporary, tied to a past situation that has been resolved
• There are no indications of a current problem

If you experience mental health challenges, do not delay treatment. Some people fear that if they seek support or treatment for a suspected or confirmed mental health problem, this will harm their chances of passing background checks down the road or threaten their current federal employment.

In addition to the commonly cited concern areas above, the other SEAD-4 risk areas are¹⁵:

1. Allegiance to the United States: Any activity suggesting support for the overthrow of the US government or association with extremist, violent, or terrorist groups
2. Foreign Preference: Actions that demonstrate preference for a foreign country over the US
3. Sexual Behavior: Patterns of criminal, coercive, or high-risk sexual behavior 
4. Criminal Conduct: A history or pattern of criminal behavior
5. Handling Protected Information: Mishandling or unauthorized disclosure of classified material
6. Outside Activities: Involvement in foreign or outside organizations that conflict with US interests or create divided loyalties
7. Use of Information Technology: Misuse of government IT systems, unauthorized access, or improper handling of digital data

Security clearance tips

In addition to understanding the SEAD-4 risk factors and how to mitigate them, here are some tips for navigating the clearance process:

1. Start early to gather relevant information (e.g. where you lived and traveled to, employers, your schools, foreign contacts) by reviewing the questions you’ll face. The 135+ page SF-86 can feel overwhelming, but this spreadsheet template can help you collect the right information early and save you headaches later.¹⁶ It’s often beneficial to begin recording this information now—while it’s relatively fresh—than delaying your clearance process later when it might be harder to access the relevant information.
2. Be meticulous with the SF-86; don’t guess or leave gaps. To investigators, sloppiness, inconsistencies, or omissions could indicate carelessness or efforts to hide information.
3. Look for “cheap” ways to get cleared: Student internships at national security agencies and even part-time work on a cleared project with a government contractor can be enough to secure sponsorship. Once you hold a clearance, it’s much easier to move into other cleared roles later.
4. Register for the Selective Service by age 25 if you’re male (it’s required by law and employers check for this).
5. Prepare for your interview: Know the kinds of questions you’ll get and practice providing honest and consistent answers. It often helps to review your SF-86 line-by-line before the interview, and to practice explaining any “red flag” areas beforehand out loud, as you would for a job interview. Your investigator may circle back to sensitive topics multiple times to test consistency, and they will directly confront you with any discrepancies between your form, records, and what others have reported.
6. If in doubt, consult a security clearance lawyer: The bureaucracies that manage clearances and related processes across the federal government are complex, opaque, and heterogeneous, making them hard to navigate using only public/online information sources. As such, talking to people with first-hand knowledge can be very helpful; if you can afford to do so, we recommend talking to a lawyer specializing in federal background checks early in the process of pursuing a career in government service.¹⁷

If you’re looking for further resources to better understand the clearance process and how to prepare, people we’ve advised have found this and this security clearance FAQ particularly helpful.

FAQ

Can I independently apply for a clearance?

No. Clearances are only granted when a relevant institution (e.g. federal agency, government contractor, or national security-related congressional committee) sponsors you for a specific position that requires access to classified information. Once you’re hired or selected, your employer will initiate the clearance process by submitting the necessary background investigation forms. 

Are non-US citizens eligible for security clearances?

Only US citizens qualify for security clearances. Green card holders and other foreign nationals may still qualify for certain Public Trust or suitability positions that don’t involve access to classified information.

In rare cases, DOD may grant a Limited Access Authorization (LAA) to a non-citizen if their skills are uniquely required for a government contract and no cleared US citizen is available. LAAs allow access to information at the Secret level or below, are tied to a specific contract, and require a detailed justification and senior-level approvals. They do not make the holder eligible for broader classified access, and they are temporary by design.

Should I pursue roles just to get a clearance?

A security clearance can be a valuable professional asset, but how much you should weigh it depends on your career goals. If you want to eventually work in the White House,  DOD, intelligence community, or other national security-related parts of government, you’ll usually need a clearance, and employers in these areas value applicants who already hold a clearance, since it saves them time and money on sponsorship.

Depending on your career interests, you might consider an internship or job that is less aligned with your policy interests but enables you to obtain a security clearance (and later transition more easily into more preferred roles). If you’re a student or recent graduate, internships in national security-relevant government agencies can be a great way to get a security clearance.

How long do clearances last?

Confidential clearances historically required reinvestigation every 15 years, Secret every 10 years, and Top Secret every 5 years. Today, most clearance holders are enrolled in Continuous Evaluation (CE), which conducts automated record checks year-round and requires SF-86 resubmission every 5 years regardless of level. Your clearance remains valid as long as you stay in a qualifying role and complete these periodic updates.

If you stop working in a cleared job, your clearance terminates but remains eligible for reinstatement¹⁸ for 24 months, provided your last investigation or CE enrollment date was within 5 years. After that window, you’ll likely need a new investigation when applying for clearance.

Does “strictness” vary by agency?

Yes. While eligibility criteria for all clearance levels are consistent across government, agencies often interpret them differently, and SAP positions may have additional requirements. Some Intelligence Community agencies (e.g. CIA, NSA, FBI) apply stricter interpretations of the National Security Adjudicative Guidelines, particularly for foreign contacts, substance misuse, and personal conduct, and require polygraph exams. These agencies often have little tolerance for issues that other departments might not regard as disqualifying. If you’re targeting these roles down the road, be especially mindful of potential clearance hurdles.

In contrast, civilian agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of Agriculture typically apply more relaxed interpretations for collateral clearances—DCSA conducts equally thorough investigations, but these agencies generally give greater weight to mitigating factors when evaluating potentially disqualifying issues.

Will my security clearance transfer to another agency?

With certain exceptions, agencies must accept security clearances granted by other agencies (“security clearance reciprocity”). Reciprocity applies to the same clearance level, and your eligibility covers lower levels automatically. If your new role requires a higher level (e.g. moving from Secret to TS/SCI), you’ll need new vetting for that higher level.

Most reciprocity determinations now take about a day, down from ~65 days in 2020. Still, some transfers can be complex with significant barriers. Agencies often rely on different systems, which can slow verification. The gaining agency may also add steps (e.g. a polygraph, or updating an out-of-scope investigation). They should not deny reciprocity solely because of those additional steps, but they can delay final access until you complete them. 

Some notes and exceptions: 

• Reciprocity only applies to clearances that are final and unconditional. Interim clearances or those granted with a waiver, deviation, or condition usually won’t transfer between agencies.
• Reciprocity covers only your national-security eligibility. Agencies can and often do conduct separate suitability or fitness reviews, which are distinct processes and may extend timelines even if your clearance eligibility itself is accepted. These reviews assess general character and conduct for federal employment and apply to all federal jobs, not just those requiring clearance. That means you can hold a valid clearance but still face delays—or even be denied—if you don’t meet an agency’s employment suitability standards.¹⁹
• For especially sensitive programs like Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) or Special Access Programs (SAPs), reciprocity means your underlying eligibility can transfer, but program-specific read-ins are separate decisions that require additional checks.

A security clearance lawyer can help navigate transfers between different federal agencies or contractors. Here are some relevant resources.²⁰

Should I report all drug use? What degree of drug use prohibits me from getting a clearance?

Yes, you should report all federally illegal drug use. Lying on the SF-86 is a federal crime and is usually treated worse than the omitted information if discovered (and often results in denial or loss of clearance). Beyond just the people you list as references, investigators can and do interview others who have known you (even as loose acquaintances) going back 7 or more years, and any inconsistencies in these interviews can provoke more intensive investigation and could result in clearance denial.²¹ Drug use reported on the SF-86 can’t be used as evidence against you in court.²² 

Any current user of illegal drugs cannot be granted a clearance²³, and “current” can include use within a few months immediately before you apply. That doesn’t mean past drug use automatically disqualifies you. Adjudicators look at the type, frequency, recency, and circumstances of use, and whether it had negative effects (like legal, medical, or financial problems).

The security concern related to past drug use usually focuses more on applicants’ demonstrated willingness and ability to abstain from future drug involvement than on their past conduct. Prior experimentation with drugs (e.g. marijuana during college) is fairly common behavior, and clearances are often granted to applicants with past drug use if they can credibly show they no longer have nor intend to have any illegal involvement with drugs.

Here are some older rough benchmarks for how long applicants should typically be drug-free before concerns can be mitigated:

• At least 6 months: Occasional or experimental²⁴ marijuana use with no aggravating circumstances.
• At least 1 year: Frequent marijuana use, or experimental use of another drug.
• At least 2 years: Regular marijuana use, or occasional use of another drug, with no dependence and a stable lifestyle since.
• At least 3 years: Frequent or regular use of any drug besides marijuana, or marijuana use showing psychological dependence, with stability in all other areas of life.
• At least 5 years: Minor involvement in trafficking or failure to complete treatment, with a stable and clean record since.

The forthcoming Personnel Vetting Questionnaire (expected to replace the SF-86 beginning around 2026) reflects an evolving approach toward past cannabis use by separating it from other illegal drugs in the questioning and modifying the reporting requirements.²⁵

Further resources 

• Security Clearance Process: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions, Congressional Research Service (2023)
• Templates for Preparing for your Security Clearance Application
• Before You Apply: Understanding Government Background Checks, Yale Law School