What does revoked security clearance mean?
Emma Johnson
Updated on April 27, 2026
The government may deny, suspend, or revoke your security clearance based on improper or illegal involvement with drugs. Abusing prescription or other legal drugs may also prevent you from getting a clearance. These conditions may disqualify you from access to classified information: Drug abuse.
What happens if my clearance is revoked?
Many federal jobs (civilian and military) require a specific level of security clearance. If your security clearance is revoked, or if the minimum clearance level changes, you stand to lose your current position and possibly your government career. You do have remedies to appeal a change in security clearance status.
How do I get my security clearance back?
If you left your clearance when you left your last job, you’re still ‘current’ – assuming your investigation hasn’t expired. Simply accept a new cleared position and your security officer can easily reinstate your access in the Joint Personnel Adjudication System (JPAS).
How long does it take to get a security clearance reinstated?
It really all depends. It depends on the level of clearance you have applied for and on your background (ie. Number of jobs held, number of places lived, etc.). It has been estimated that the average wait time for final clearance is 4-6 months.
How do I get my security clearance reinstated?
An “expired” clearance is one that has not been used in more than two years and cannot be reinstated without a new investigation. Once sponsored, the candidate must resubmit a clearance application and go through a new investigation to have access.
Can you lose your security clearance for bad credit?
Imperfect financial circumstances, such as bad credit scores, can have a negative influence on your application and potentially cause your security clearance to be denied. However, the dollar amount associated with your financial troubles is usually less important than the reasons behind your financial situation.
How long does it take to reinstate a security clearance?
You have two years to remain “Current” before your clearance reverts to “Expired” status. Active and Current statuses are considered easy to transfer to a new job where such transfers are permitted. But if you allow your clearance to hit Expired mode, it cannot be reinstated.
How do I get my security clearance reactivated?
What is SCI security clearance?
Top Secret clearance requires the most rigorous background check and the SCI designation means there’s an elevated risk of potential harm to national security; all who require SCI access should be mindful of this going into the clearance screening process.
When can a security clearance be revoked?
The Cleared Brief – Latest security clearance news – delivered monthly. A security clearance may be revoked at any time. There are 13 guidelines that are common to all agencies of the federal government that are used to determine eligibility for a clearance and to determine if an existing clearance ought to be revoked.
What is a security clearance suspension and how does it work?
The short answer is – not much. A security clearance suspension is an interim decision pending the decision to revoke or reinstate the security clearance. A clearance may be suspended at any time the government or issuing agency determines there is an issue with the individual relative to the adjudicative criteria.
What are mitigating factors for security clearance revocation?
The Mitigating Factors consist of conditions that, if present in the applicant’s life, may cancel or lessen the severity of the Potentially Disqualifying Conditions. One of the best ways to understand the guidelines for revoking a security clearance is to understand the adjudicative criteria.