A security clearance can take anywhere from a couple months to more than a year depending on the particular circumstances candidates should be aware that the clearance process may take longer to complete if they, lived, worked, or were educated in a variety of locations, as this increases the number of places where references and records must be checked.  Any potential security concerns as listed in SEAD 4 (linked above) may also take longer to mitigate, depending on the complexity.  For more information, visit https://www.state.gov/security-clearances.

Security clearances are adjudicated by examining the candidate’s history from a variety of sources, to include references that are identified via DS and court and police records. While criminal and drug history are relevant to the adjudication of a security clearance, there are also factors that mitigate such concerns, such as the amount of time that has passed, and the circumstances under which the behavior occurred, and likelihood of recurrence.  For more information, visit https://www.state.gov/security-clearances. 

If you do not want your current employer contacted, you need to advise the Clearance Coordinator who contacts you regarding the completion of your SF-86, and/or annotate it on the SF-86 under that employment entry. While efforts will be made to  work with you before contacting any current employment references, it is required that your current employment is verified. The absence of an employment verification will result in your case being adjudicated without satisfying investigative standards. This may result in DS’s inability to consider your eligibility for access to classified information, and may compel DS to err on the side of national security and deny access to sensitive and/or classified information. 

Students tentatively selected for the internship program must undergo a background investigation and receive the appropriate security determination, typically either a Secret or Top Secret security clearance. The clearance process takes approximately 60-120 days to complete from the time you submit your forms to the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS). Investigations may take substantially longer than 120 if there is a security, suitability, or medical issue to resolve. In part, these issues could include current or past illegal drug use, to include marijuana, or alcohol abuse, criminal conduct, or a recent history of financial/credit problems.  For more information, visit https://www.state.gov/security-clearances. 

Your entire file will be reviewed to determine your suitability for appointment to the Foreign Service before you are offered a job. Even if your current Top Secret security clearance is valid, updated background investigation may be required to ensure the Suitability Review Panel has current data to make their determination.  These determinations require background investigations that have been completed within the past three years.

Upon completion of the background investigation, a Suitability Review Panel will examine a candidate’s completed file (except medical records) to determine suitability for employment with the Foreign Service. In evaluating suitability, the Suitability Review Panel takes into consideration factors such as misconduct in prior employment; criminal, dishonest, or disgraceful conduct; misrepresentation, including deception or fraud in the application process; repeated or habitual use to excess of intoxicating beverages; abuse of narcotics or controlled substances; reasonable doubt as to loyalty to the U.S. Government; conduct which clearly shows poor judgment and/or lack of discretion; and financial irresponsibility, including a history of not meeting financial obligations or an inability to satisfy debts.  For a complete list of factors considered, see 3 FAM 2215.2-6 Suitability Criteria. Eligibility for a security clearance and suitability determinations are separate and distinct processes and evaluations, therefore, obtaining a security clearance does not automatically confer a favorable suitability determination. 
 

All security clearances and suitability determinations are handled on a case-by-case basis, employing the whole-person concept. The recency, severity, and duration of an incident are some of the factors weighed in the adjudicative process. For more information, visit https://www.state.gov/security-clearances. 

Candidates who do not receive a security clearance or favorable suitability determination are ineligible for appointment. Before starting this process, potential candidates who have any serious issues which could prevent them from securing a security clearance should give some thought to the likelihood of their being found ineligible. 

If you were born a male after December 31, 1959, and are at least 18 years of age, civil service employment law (5 U.S.C. 3328) requires that you must be registered with the Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions under Selective Service law. If you are required to register but knowingly and willfully fail to do so, you are ineligible for appointment by executive agencies of the federal government. If you are unsure of your registration status, or are seeking further details on exemptions to the registration requirement, you can check the Selective Service System website at: http://www.sss.gov. 

Candidates will undergo a background investigation that includes verifying and corroborating key activities, information, and events.  In addition to various inquiries into criminal history, credit, and other databases, a Diplomatic Security (DS) background investigator may conduct interviews with you and various references (those you provide and those developed through the investigation).

Based on the information obtained in the investigative process, DS will determine if you are eligible for access to classified information. A Security clearance will enable you to perform the various duties and responsibilities of a Foreign Service or Civil Service employee. The security clearance is adjudicated based on Security Executive Agency Directive (SEAD) 4: National Security Adjudicative Guidelines.  These guidelines include factors that may raise security concerns, as well as the circumstances that mitigate those concerns. You are encouraged to review SEAD 4 for awareness of the issues DS considers in making this determination. See SEAD 4 For more information, visit https://www.state.gov/security-clearances.