DOE (Department of Energy)
The Department of Energy (DOE) is the federal agency responsible for U.S. energy policy and nuclear security. For cleared professionals, DOE is significant because it maintains its own clearance system (Q and L clearances) for access to nuclear weapons information and operates the national laboratories.
Quick Facts
| Role | Energy policy and nuclear security |
| Clearance types | Q (Top Secret) and L (Secret) |
| Key component | National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) |
| Major employers | National laboratories |
DOE Security Clearances
DOE uses its own clearance designations[1]:
| DOE Clearance | DoD Equivalent | Access Granted |
|---|---|---|
| Q Clearance | Top Secret | Top Secret RD and NSI |
| L Clearance | Secret | Secret RD and NSI |
RD = Restricted Data - Information about nuclear weapons design and production
Restricted Data
What makes DOE clearances unique[2]:
- Restricted Data (RD) is born classified by law
- Covers nuclear weapons design, production, materials
- Cannot be declassified by a single authority
- Requires DOE-specific access authorization
Even with DoD Top Secret, you need DOE authorization for RD access.
Who Needs DOE Clearances
National laboratory employees:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
- Sandia National Laboratories
- Oak Ridge, Argonne, and others
NNSA personnel:
- Nuclear weapons program staff
- Nonproliferation workers
- Naval reactors program
Contractors:
- Laboratory management contractors
- Nuclear facility support
- Research and development
DOE vs. DoD Clearances
| Aspect | DOE | DoD |
|---|---|---|
| Clearance names | Q, L | TS, Secret, Confidential |
| Investigating agency | DOE/NNSA | DCSA |
| Special access | Restricted Data | SCI, SAP |
| Primary workforce | Labs, nuclear sites | Military, defense contractors |
Reciprocity with DoD
DOE and DoD clearances have reciprocity[3]:
Q ↔ Top Secret:
- Generally reciprocal
- May require verification
- RD access needs DOE authorization
L ↔ Secret:
- Generally reciprocal
- Standard verification process
However, access to Restricted Data specifically requires DOE-granted authorization regardless of DoD clearance level.
DOE Investigation Process
DOE clearances follow similar processes[1]:
- SF-86 submission
- Background investigation
- Adjudication against same guidelines
- Continuous evaluation
Processing is handled by DOE/NNSA rather than DCSA.
Working at National Labs
National laboratories offer unique opportunities:
- Cutting-edge research
- National security missions
- Q clearance typically required
- Strong career paths
Most major lab positions require at minimum L clearance, with Q for weapons-related work.
Related
References
- ^ DOE Order 472.2: Personnel Security. Department of Energy. Accessed 2026-01-08.
- ^ Security Clearances in the Nuclear Security Enterprise. National Nuclear Security Administration. Accessed 2026-01-10.
- ^ Security Clearance Process: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions. Congressional Research Service. Accessed 2026-01-10.