What does it take to get top secret clearance?

What does it take to get top secret clearance?

In the past three years, DoD has had a significant backlog of security clearances and reinvestigations pending, most especially for TOP SECRET level access. In general, expect a CONFIDENTIAL or SECRET clearance to take between 1 and 3 months. A TOP SECRET will probably take between 4 and 8 months.

How long does it take to get a Top Secret clearance if you have a secret clearance?

The Intelligence Authorization Act for FY 2020 set goals for security clearance processing times of an ambitious 90 days for a Top Secret clearance and 30 days for a Secret clearance.

How much does it cost to get a top secret security clearance?

The average cost to process a TOP SECRET clearance is between $3,000 and about $15,000, depending upon individual factors. The government pays the cost of clearances for military personnel and civilian government employees.

Is it hard to get top secret clearance?

The process generally takes between four and eight months, but with the current Department of Defense backlog it can take more than a year to receive top secret clearance. Top secret clearances must be renewed every five years, which contributes to the backlog as well. Not exactly easy, but perhaps not hard enough?