PSA — Why Companies Typically Don’t Initiate Security Clearances without Federal Authorization
Security clearances aren’t just a box to check—they’re part of a broader, government-driven process that ensures sensitive information stays protected. So, while a clearance can be a valuable asset, it’s important to understand that its initiation often hinges on a company’s relationship with federal contracts and billets.
This flyer clears up the misinformation some have been given in regard to companies processing clearances. Sometimes the federal government may have critical requirements to fill and would be willing to provide companies some billets to put candidates through the “pipeline” to get cleared. Unfortunately, this does not happen often, but do not lose hope!
Here’s how it works:
Government “Billets” Drive the Clearance Process: For most com panies to sponsor a candidate for a security clearance, they first need to be awarded a government contract or “billet” that requires cleared personnel. Essentially, the federal government needs to identify a role that mandates access to classified information. Without such a requirement, companies often don’t have the justification to initiate the clearance process.
Security Clearances Are Tied to Contracts, Not Individuals: A clearance isn’t just a formality—it’s tied to a specific need. If a company doesn’t have a government contract requiring cleared workers, they typically won’t pursue clearances for candidates unless a specific project or position demands it.
The Process is Complex and Expensive: Initiating a security clearance is no small task. It’s a time-consuming and costly process that involves thorough background checks, investigations, and potentially years of waiting. As a result, companies generally reserve this investment for roles directly tied to government projects that require a clearance.
How This Affects Job Seekers: For job seekers, especially those with specialized skills that would benefit from a security clearance, it’s important to know that companies are unlikely to sponsor clearances unless they have a valid need from a government contract. If you’re looking to pursue opportunities that require a clearance, consider targeting organizations with ongoing or upcoming government contracts
