An active security clearance signifies that an individual is presently eligible for access to classified national security information. This means the person has undergone a thorough background investigation, their eligibility has been adjudicated, and they are currently authorized to handle sensitive data without requiring further action.
This status is distinct from a "current" clearance, where a candidate has been determined eligible for access to classified information in the past but is not presently eligible without a reinstatement process. An active clearance, therefore, indicates immediate and ongoing authorization.
Understanding Active Security Clearance
An active security clearance is a critical authorization for individuals working in various government, defense, intelligence, and certain private sector roles. It confirms that the individual has been vetted and is deemed trustworthy enough to access information that, if disclosed, could cause damage to national security.
What Does "Presently Eligible" Mean?
"Presently eligible" means that:
- Investigation is Complete: A comprehensive background investigation has been successfully conducted and adjudicated.
- Authorization is Current: The individual holds a valid authorization to access classified information at a specific level (e.g., Confidential, Secret, Top Secret).
- No Suspension or Revocation: The clearance has not been suspended, revoked, or placed on inactive status.
- Ongoing Need-to-Know: The individual typically has a "need-to-know" for specific classified information to perform their job duties.
Active vs. Current Clearance: A Key Distinction
While often used interchangeably in casual conversation, there's a crucial difference between an "active" and a "current" security clearance, especially in government security contexts.
| Feature | Active Security Clearance | Current Security Clearance |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Presently eligible for access to classified information. | Eligibility for access to classified information has been determined in the past. |
| Access Status | Currently authorized to access classified information. | Not currently authorized without reinstatement. |
| Employment | Typically held by individuals actively working in a cleared position. | May be held by individuals between cleared positions or those who left a cleared role recently. |
| Reinstatement | No reinstatement needed; immediate access if "need-to-know" exists. | Requires a reinstatement process to regain active access, often within 24 months of separation from a cleared position. |
| Government View | Preferred status for immediate hiring into cleared roles. | Still valuable, but requires an additional administrative step to become active again. |
Levels of Active Security Clearances
Active clearances are granted at different levels, each corresponding to the potential damage that unauthorized disclosure of information at that level could cause:
- Confidential: Unauthorized disclosure could cause damage to national security.
- Secret: Unauthorized disclosure could cause serious damage to national security.
- Top Secret: Unauthorized disclosure could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security.
Beyond these basic levels, there are also overlays such as:
- Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI): For classified information concerning intelligence sources, methods, or analytical processes.
- Special Access Programs (SAP): For classified information that requires special protection and handling, often involving highly sensitive technologies or operations.
Maintaining an Active Clearance
An active security clearance is not a one-time grant; it requires ongoing vigilance and adherence to security protocols. Key aspects of maintaining an active clearance include:
- Periodic Reinvestigations: Individuals with clearances undergo reinvestigations at regular intervals (e.g., every 5 years for Top Secret, 10 years for Secret, 15 years for Confidential) to ensure continued eligibility.
- Continuous Evaluation (CE): Many agencies now use CE programs that continuously monitor various public and private data sources for potential security concerns, reducing reliance solely on periodic reinvestigations.
- Reporting Requirements: Holders of active clearances must report certain life events, foreign contacts, financial difficulties, arrests, or other potential security concerns to their security officer.
- Adherence to Security Regulations: Strict compliance with handling, storage, and transmission rules for classified information is mandatory.
Practical Implications
For job seekers, having an active security clearance can be a significant advantage, often reducing hiring timelines for positions that require immediate access to classified information. For employers, hiring someone with an active clearance means less waiting for the background investigation process to complete, allowing them to fill critical roles more quickly.
The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) is a primary authority responsible for conducting background investigations for the majority of federal government and contractor personnel. More information about the security clearance process can be found on their official website.
