Secret Clearance

Secret is the middle level of security clearance granted by the U.S. government, between Confidential and Top Secret.

Quick Facts

What It Means

A Secret clearance allows access to information that, if disclosed without authorization, could reasonably be expected to cause serious damage to national security^[1]. This includes military plans, weapons systems details, and sensitive intelligence reports that don't rise to the Top Secret level.

Investigation Requirements

Secret clearances require a Tier 3 background investigation, which includes^[2]:

• National agency database checks (FBI, CIA, etc.)
• Credit history review
• Criminal records check
• Citizenship and identity verification
• Employment and education verification
• Review of the SF-86 questionnaire responses

Unlike Top Secret investigations, Tier 3 investigations typically do not include in-person interviews with references unless issues arise.

Processing Times

According to DCSA metrics, the average processing time for Secret clearances is significantly shorter than Top Secret^[3]. However, individual timelines vary based on the complexity of your background.

Common Positions

Secret clearances are the most commonly held clearance level. They're required for:

• Most military service members
• Defense contractor employees
• Government employees handling sensitive but not highly classified data
• IT administrators at cleared facilities
• Many engineering and technical roles

Related

• Confidential Clearance
• Top Secret (TS)
• NACLC
• Tier 3 / Tier 5 Investigations
• Clearance Levels Explained

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