11 | The Washington Center
Common Red Flags (and how to address them)
• Foreign contacts: List them all; explain the relationship honestly
• Drug use: Admit past experimental use; show time has passed and no current use
• Financial issues: Demonstrate you're addressing debts; show payment plans
• Criminal history: Explain circumstances; show rehabilitation
Timeline Expectations
• Secret Clearance: 3-6 months average
• Top Secret: 6-12 months average
• Top Secret/SCI with Polygraph: 12-18+ months
Essential Resources
Official Government Sites:
• DCSA (Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency): https://www.dcsa.mil/
• Security Clearance Process Overview: https://www.dcsa.mil/is/clearance-process/
• USAJobs: https://www.usajobs.gov/
• Intelligence Careers: https://www.intelligencecareers.gov/
• FBI Jobs: https://www.fbijobs.gov/
• CIA Careers: https://www.cia.gov/careers/
• NSA Careers: https://www.nsa.gov/Careers/
Educational Resources:
• Built Environment Careers: https://buildyourpath.org/
• ClearanceJobs: https://www.clearancejobs.com/ (job board and clearance info)
Guidance Documents:
• SF-86 Form: https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf86.pdf
• Adjudicative Guidelines: Search for "SEAD 4 Adjudicative Guidelines"
• DCSA Blog: Regular updates on clearance process changes
