Published 2026-01-10
What Disqualifies You From a Top Secret Clearance?
A TS clearance requires a more thorough investigation than a Secret clearance, but the factors that can disqualify you are largely the same. The difference is in the scrutiny level -not a separate set of rules.
According to the national security adjudicative guidelines, there are no automatic disqualifiers for any clearance level[1]. Every case is evaluated using the "whole person" concept, which means adjudicators look at your complete background, not isolated incidents[2].
How Top Secret Investigations Differ
The investigation for a TS clearance is called a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI). It's significantly more comprehensive than the National Agency Check with Law and Credit (NACLC) used for Secret clearances.
What makes the TS investigation more rigorous:
- Personal interviews with you (the subject)
- Interviews with neighbors, coworkers, and references
- Verification of employment, education, and residences going back 10 years
- More extensive financial record review
- Field work by investigators
Because of this deeper investigation, issues that might not surface during a Secret clearance investigation could come up during a TS investigation. This doesn't mean the standards are different -it means there's more opportunity for concerns to be identified.
The Same Guidelines Apply
Both Secret and Top Secret clearances are adjudicated using the same 13 guidelines outlined in SEAD 4[1]:
- Allegiance to the United States
- Foreign influence
- Foreign preference
- Sexual behavior
- Personal conduct
- Financial considerations
- Alcohol consumption
- Drug involvement
- Psychological conditions
- Criminal conduct
- Handling protected information
- Outside activities
- Use of information technology
The weight given to each factor may vary based on the sensitivity of the position, but the evaluation criteria remain constant across clearance levels.
What Causes Most Top Secret Denials
The most common reasons for clearance denials at any level, including Top Secret, are[2]:
Financial Issues
Financial problems remain the leading cause of clearance denials. For Top Secret clearances, adjudicators look closely at:
- Large amounts of unexplained debt
- Failure to file or pay taxes
- Gambling problems
- Living beyond your means
The concern isn't having debt -most people do. The concern is whether financial stress could make you vulnerable to bribery or coercion, or whether it indicates poor judgment.
Foreign Connections
For positions requiring Top Secret access, foreign influence receives heightened scrutiny. This includes:
- Close relationships with foreign nationals
- Foreign financial interests
- Travel to certain countries
- Dual citizenship
Dual citizenship does not automatically disqualify you[6]. However, you must demonstrate unquestioned allegiance to the United States.
Drug Use
Current illegal drug use will almost certainly result in denial. For past use, the DNI has stated that marijuana use is "relevant, but not determinative"[5].
For Top Secret positions, expect questions about:
- Recency of any drug use
- Frequency and circumstances
- Any use while holding a clearance
- Investment in marijuana businesses (even in legal states)
Dishonesty
Lying on your SF-86 or during your investigation is perhaps the fastest way to be denied[3]. The investigation for a Top Secret clearance involves interviews where inconsistencies can surface.
The government would rather know about your past than discover you tried to hide it. Cover-ups are viewed more seriously than the underlying issues.
What Does NOT Disqualify You
Several factors are commonly believed to be disqualifying but are not:
- Mental health treatment: Seeking help is viewed as good judgment, not a red flag
- Having debt: Manageable debt with a repayment plan is normal
- Being foreign-born: Naturalized citizens hold Top Secret and TS/SCI clearances
- Past mistakes: The whole-person concept exists because people change
The Bottom Line
There's no secret list of Top Secret disqualifiers that differs from other clearance levels. The same adjudicative guidelines apply -they're just examined more thoroughly.
If you're concerned about something in your background, the best approach is honesty. Disclose issues on your SF-86, explain the circumstances, and demonstrate how you've changed or addressed the situation.
For a comprehensive breakdown of all disqualifying factors and how to address them, see our complete guide: What Disqualifies You From a Security Clearance?
Related
- What Disqualifies You From a Security Clearance? (Complete Guide)
- Security Clearance Levels Explained
- How Security Clearances Work
- TS (Top Secret) Definition
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References
- ^ SEAD 4: National Security Adjudicative Guidelines. Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Accessed 2026-01-08.
- ^ Episode 6: Security Clearance 101. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Accessed 2026-01-10.
- ^ Standard Form 86: Questionnaire for National Security Positions. Office of Personnel Management. Accessed 2026-01-08.
- ^ DCSA Personnel Vetting Processing Times. Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency. Accessed 2026-01-08.
- ^ Clarifying Guidance Regarding Marijuana. Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Accessed 2026-01-10.
- ^ Dual Citizenship - Security Clearance Implications. U.S. Department of State. Accessed 2026-01-10.