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TOP SECRET CLEARANCE

Top Secret is applied to information that reasonably could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security if disclosed to unauthorized sources.

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SECRET CLEARANCE

Secret is applied to information that reasonably could be expected to cause serious damage to the national security if disclosed to unauthorized sources.

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CONFIDENTIAL CLEARANCE

Confidential is applied to information that reasonably could be expected to cause damage to the national security if disclosed to unauthorized sources. The vast majority of military personnel are given this very basic level of clearance.

FEDERAL SECURITY / SUITABILITY CLEARANCE CHART

This chart identifies sensitivity levels applied to all federal jobs and most federal contractor jobs. It shows the related application forms, investigations, security/suitability clearance determinations, and reinvestigations. Some jobs are designated as both Public Trust and National Security positions. When this occurs the Public Trust consideration for the job will demand a more thorough security investigation than is required for National Security Clearance at the Confidential or Secret levels.

SENSITIVITY REINVESTIGATION LEVEL (1) CATEGORY APPLICATION FORM TYPE OF INITIAL INVESTIGATION SECURITY/SUITABILITY CLEARANCE DETERMINATION
Level 1
None
Non-Sensitive SF85 None or NACI (2) None, HSPD-12 PIV Card
Level 2
NACLC every 5 yrs (4)
National Security
Non-Critical Sensitive
SF86 NACLC or ANACI (3) Confidential, Secret or DOE “L”
Level 3
SSBI-PR every 5 yrs
National Security
Critical Sensitive
SF86 SSBI Top Secret
Level 4
“Q” SSBI-PR or PPR (6) every 5 yrs
National Security
Special Sensitive
SF86 SSBI (5) Top Secret w/ SCI eligibility or DOE
Level 5
NACLC (9)
Public Trust (PT) (7) SF85P (8) MBI Moderate Risk
Level 5
NACLC every 5 years
National Security & PT SF86 MBI Secret & Moderate Risk
Level 6
PRI every 5 years
Public Trust SF85P BI High Risk
Level 6
PRI every 5 years
Public Trust Duties SF85P-S BI High Risk involving designated
Level 6
PRI every 5 years
National Security & PT SF86 BI Secret & High Risk

Footnotes:

  1. Degree of sensitivity is not related to the numerical values of Sensitivity Levels (i.e. Sensitivity Level 4 is more sensitive than Sensitivity Level 6 and Level 2.
  2. NACI is the minimum investigation required for federal employment. If a “Personal Identity Verification” Card is required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12, a minimum an NACI is required for contractor non-sensitive positions.
  3. ANACI investigation is a combination of an NACI and NACLC and is only used for federal employment applicants.
  4. Intervals for Periodic Reinvestigations for these clearances were previously 10 or 15 years. The change to 5-year intervals will be implemented in 2012.
  5. Some Sensitivity Level 4 positions require a polygraph examination.
  6. PPR (Phased Periodic Reinvestigation) may be requested as in lieu of an SSBI-PR, when no security/suitability issues are listed on the applicant’s SF86.
  7. Regulations require certain federal “competitive service” jobs be designate as Public Trust positions. OPM recommends that equivalent federal excepted service and contractor positions be similarly designated and subject to appropriate investigations. Most federal agencies follow OPM’s recommendation.
  8. People granted Public Trust positions based on an SF85P or SF85P-S are not eligible for Confidential or Secret clearance regardless of the investigation conducted. Agencies may grant security clearances in these case following the submission and favorable review of an SF86.
  9. Reinvestigations for all PT positions became a requirement on December 9, 2011.
  10. Designated duties generally involve public safety and fiduciary responsibilities.

Source: https://fedcas.com