An interim security clearance denial can be alarming. You may immediately wonder whether you have lost your job or your military career. An interim denial does not automatically prevent you from receiving a final security clearance. The government may continue investigating your background before making a final determination.
What does an interim denial mean?
An interim clearance is an early eligibility decision made while your full background investigation is underway. For Department of Defense cases, the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) reviews information from your Standard Form 86 (SF-86), the questionnaire used for national security background investigations, along with your fingerprints and other records when making an interim determination.
If the requirements are not met, the case may be placed in “Eligibility Pending” while the investigation continues. The final eligibility determination is based on the complete record – not solely on what triggered the interim denial.
What could have raised a concern?
Information that may require closer review can include:
- Criminal charges or law enforcement records
- Financial problems
- Drug or alcohol-related conduct
- Foreign contacts or activities
- Errors or omissions on your SF-86
Having one of these issues in your background does not determine the outcome. Adjudicators consider the full circumstances, including how long ago the issue occurred and whether you have addressed it.
What should you do next?
An interim denial does not automatically determine whether you can keep your job. If your position requires access to classified information, you generally cannot receive that access without the required eligibility. Your employer or security office can explain how the decision affects your position.
If a criminal charge, financial problem or another issue is involved, address it carefully and make sure the information provided during the clearance process is accurate. Withholding, misrepresenting or falsifying information on the SF-86 can affect clearance eligibility and job status, and may also carry federal criminal penalties.
An interim denial is serious, but it is not necessarily the end of the process. Knowing what raised the concern and responding appropriately and honestly gives the investigation the best available foundation for a favorable final determination.
