Security clearances represent one of the most valuable professional credentials in government contracting, providing access to classified federal projects and significantly enhanced earning potential. For Alliance for Contractors members, obtaining and maintaining security clearances opens doors to exclusive opportunities in defense, intelligence, and critical infrastructure sectors.
Clearance Level | Investigation Type | Processing Time | Typical Positions |
---|---|---|---|
Confidential | National Agency Check (NAC) | 2-4 months | Administrative support, basic technical roles |
Secret | National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) | 4-8 months | Program analysts, IT specialists, project managers |
Top Secret | Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) | 12-18 months | Senior analysts, system architects, program directors |
TS/SCI | SSBI + Polygraph (may be required) | 18-24 months | Intelligence analysts, specialized technical roles |
The Standard Form 86 (SF-86) is the cornerstone document for security clearance applications. This comprehensive questionnaire requires detailed personal, professional, and financial information spanning multiple years of your life history.
Section | Key Requirements | Common Pitfalls | Alliance Assistance |
---|---|---|---|
Section 6: Residence History | Complete addresses for 10 years, exact dates | Gaps in timeline, incomplete addresses | Address verification service |
Section 11: Employment | All employment, unemployment periods explained | Missing short-term positions, contractor roles | Employment history reconstruction |
Section 13: Education | All schools attended, degrees, certifications | Incomplete school information, missing dates | Educational records assistance |
Section 18: References | People who know you well, current contact info | Using relatives, outdated contact information | Reference coordination service |
Section 20: Foreign Activities | All foreign contacts, travel, business interests | Forgetting brief trips, casual contacts | Foreign activity documentation |
Section 26: Financial Record | Credit issues, bankruptcies, financial problems | Incomplete disclosure, minimizing issues | Financial counseling referrals |
Once your SF-86 is submitted, the formal background investigation begins. Proper preparation can significantly streamline this process and avoid delays that could impact your clearance timeline and career opportunities.
The personal subject interview (PSI) is often the most critical component of the investigation process. Alliance for Contractors provides comprehensive interview preparation to ensure members present themselves professionally and address any concerns effectively.
Maintaining your security clearance requires ongoing vigilance and compliance with security protocols. The implementation of Continuous Evaluation (CE) programs means that cleared personnel are subject to ongoing monitoring throughout their clearance period.
Monitoring Element | Frequency | Data Sources | Action Required |
---|---|---|---|
Criminal Records | Real-time | FBI databases, court records | Immediate incident reporting |
Financial Status | Quarterly | Credit bureaus, public records | SF-86C for significant changes |
Foreign Travel | Per occurrence | Self-reporting, customs data | Pre-travel briefings |
Employment Changes | Per occurrence | Self-reporting, contractor notification | Transfer procedures |
Clearance Level | Reinvestigation Period | Process Type | Typical Duration |
---|---|---|---|
Confidential | 15 years | National Agency Check | 2-3 months |
Secret | 10 years | Periodic Reinvestigation | 6-12 months |
Top Secret | 5 years | Periodic Reinvestigation | 12-18 months |
One of the most valuable aspects of holding a security clearance is its transferability between cleared positions. Alliance for Contractors facilitates smooth clearance transfers to help members maximize their career opportunities while maintaining their cleared status.
From Agency | To Agency | Reciprocity Level | Additional Requirements |
---|---|---|---|
DoD | DHS | Full | None typically required |
DoD | DOE | Limited | Q clearance may require separate process |
DoD | IC Agencies | Variable | SCI processing, possible polygraph |
Civilian Agency | DoD | Full | JPAS/DISS registration |
Maintaining security clearance eligibility requires adherence to strict personnel security standards. Alliance for Contractors provides ongoing compliance monitoring and training to help members maintain their cleared status throughout their careers.
Training Type | Frequency | Duration | Delivery Method |
---|---|---|---|
Initial Security Briefing | Upon clearance grant | 2-4 hours | In-person or virtual |
Annual Refresher Training | Annually | 1-2 hours | Online or classroom |
Travel Security Briefing | Pre-travel to sensitive countries | 30-60 minutes | In-person or phone |
Termination Briefing | Upon clearance termination | 30-60 minutes | In-person required |
Security clearances unlock access to billions of dollars in federal contracting opportunities. Alliance for Contractors maintains a comprehensive database of cleared positions and provides members with exclusive access to opportunities requiring security clearances.
Skill Category | Clearance Level | Market Demand | Salary Range |
---|---|---|---|
Cybersecurity | Secret/TS | Very High | $90K - $180K |
Data Analytics | Secret/TS/SCI | High | $85K - $160K |
Systems Engineering | Secret/TS | High | $95K - $170K |
Program Management | Secret/TS | Moderate-High | $100K - $190K |
Intelligence Analysis | TS/SCI | High | $80K - $150K |
Alliance for Contractors operates an exclusive cleared personnel network, providing members with unparalleled access to career opportunities, professional development, and industry connections within the security clearance community.
Service | Description | Frequency | Member Benefit |
---|---|---|---|
Cleared Professional Meetups | Regional networking events for cleared professionals | Monthly | Direct industry connections |
Virtual Career Fairs | Online events connecting members with cleared employers | Quarterly | Direct employer access |
Mentorship Program | Pairing new cleared professionals with experienced mentors | Ongoing | Career guidance and development |
Industry Briefings | Updates on cleared market trends and opportunities | Monthly | Market intelligence |
This document contains sensitive information related to security clearance processes. Distribution should be limited to authorized personnel only. For questions regarding this guidance, contact the Alliance for Contractors Security Clearance Division.
Document Version 2024.1 | Last Updated: January 2024 | Next Review: July 2024