Is a secret clearance Tier 3?
John Castro
Published Jan 17, 2026
What types of investigations are required for obtaining a security clearance or eligibility to hold a sensitive position? A Tier 3 investigation is required for a Confidential or Secret clearance, for a Department of Energy (DOE) “L” access authorization, or to hold a non-critical sensitive position.
What is security clearance level 3?
Security Clearance Level 3: ConfidentialConfidential security clearance holders have access to material that could be reasonably expected to cause some measurable damage to national security.
How far back does a Tier 3 investigation go?
The T3 InvestigationThe New T3 is now all the same for military, civilian and contractor positions. The new scope is the last 5 years.
What are the 3 types of security clearance?
There are three levels of security clearance: confidential, secret, and top secret.What is a Tier 2 security clearance?
Tier 2 is the investigation for non-sensitive positions designated as moderate risk public trust positions.What’s Checked in a Secret Investigation?
What tier is secret clearance?
Normally a Tier 3R investigation is required for people who hold Confidential clearances, Secret clearances, DOE “L” access authorizations, and who occupy non-critical sensitive positions.What are the 5 levels of security clearance?
Contents
- 3.2.1 Controlled Unclassified.
- 3.2.2 Public Trust Position.
- 3.2.3 Confidential.
- 3.2.4 Secret.
- 3.2.5 Top Secret.
- 3.2.6 Compartmented.
What is a Tier 4 background investigation?
This investigation makes the staff member eligible for a secret clearance. Tier 4 (Formally BI or Level 6) – public trust position. Tier 5 (Former SSBI or Level 3) – critical sensitive national security position. This investigation makes the staff member eligible for a top-secret clearance.What is the lowest level of security clearance?
The Department of State official site lists three federal clearances from lowest to highest. They are, respectively, Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret.What is the highest level of security clearance?
What is the highest security clearance you can get? The federal government provides three levels of clearance: confidential, secret, and top secret. Top secret clearance is the highest security clearance level anyone can get. A candidate's responsibilities determine the level of clearance granted.What does T3R mean?
The tooth-to-tail ratio (T3R), in military jargon, is the amount of military personnel it takes to supply and support ("tail") each combat soldier ("tooth").What disqualifies you from secret clearance?
These conditions may disqualify you from access to classified information: Drug abuse. Illegal drug possession. Diagnosis of drug abuse or dependence by a medical professional.How many years back does a secret clearance go?
Security Clearance Adjudicative ProcessThe clearance process for Secret level access uses an investigation called the National Agency Check with Law and Credit that goes back five years, while the clearance process for Top Secret uses a Single Scope Background Investigation that goes back ten years.