A common misconception is that security clearances automatically expire after five and 10 years. Every 10 years you must be re investigated and undergo a full background investigation to maintain the clearance.
When does security clearance lapse.
How long is a security clearance good for. A government security clearance requires a periodic reinvestigation every 15 years for a confidential clearance every 10 years for secret and every 5 years for top secret. A common misconception is that security clearances automatically expire after five and 10 years. The length of time it takes from beginning to end depends on the type of security clearance which federal agency is involved and the presence of significant unfavorable information about the applicant.
On the lower end it can take 30 to 180 days to complete clearance while it can take between six months and over a year for others. The intelligence authorization act for fy 2020 set goals for security clearance processing times of an ambitious 90 days for a top secret clearance and 30 days for a secret clearance. The clearance lasts for as long as you need access to the secret information to perform your job.
Every 10 years you must be re investigated and undergo a full background investigation to maintain the clearance. If negative data is unearthed during the re investigation you could lose the secret security clearance. Top secret security clearance.
When does security clearance lapse. Confidential level clearance the lowest security threat is good for 15 years. Secret clearance lasts 10 years.
Top secret clearance must be reinvestigated reauthorized every 5 years. Security clearances remain valid for a certain period of time 5 15 years depending on the level and at the discretion of the federal government or contractor. Individuals whose security clearance has expired may require a reinvestigation in order to renew their clearance.