This chart identifies sensitivity levels applied to all federal jobs and most federal contractor jobs. It shows the related application forms, investigations, security/suitability clearance determinations, and reinvestigations.

*Note: The NACLC has not historically been accepted as equivalent to an initial Tier 3 type investigation when that investigation is required for a Federal civilian position. Please be watch for forthcoming guidance from the Suitability or Security Executive Agents on this topic.

If your position requires access to classified information or facilities, your background investigation helps determine if you'll receive a security clearance. Your sponsoring agency will often determine your clearance and employment eligibility at the same time.

For more information, you may find the chart for the general background investigation process (step-by-step), as shared on the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) website. Summary of Why We Do What We Do:

Position Designation Investigation Type Chart. To avoid delays in processing investigation requests, it is important to verify the correct PII is reflected in DCSA’s systems of record.

There are three levels of DoD security clearances: [3] TOP SECRET – Information of which the unauthorized disclosure could reasonably be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security.

A United States security clearance is an official determination that an individual may access information classified by the United States Government. Security clearances are hierarchical; each level grants the holder access to information in that level and the levels below it.

Oct 5, 2023 · Generally, there are three levels of security clearances: confidential, secret, and top secret, which correspond to increasing levels of sensitivity of the information that a cleared individual will be eligible to access.

Jan 18, 2025 · The defense industry operates with three fundamental clearance levels, each corresponding to the potential damage unauthorized disclosure could cause to national security. Confidential clearance, the entry level, grants access to …

Apr 26, 2020 · Per the Federal Investigative Standards (FIS) Crosswalk Guide released last week from the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA): Some government positions don’t require a security clearance, but do involve access to sensitive information.