How Much Does It Cost to Obtain a Clearance - FY 2022/23 Costs Go Down (2024)

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) conducts more than 95% of all background investigations. Agencies that use DCSA to conduct their investigations will pay DCSA, and each year it updates the cost to conduct an investigation. For FY 2022/23, costs actually went down by 3%. A Tier 5 (Top Secret) clearance investigation costs $5,410, and a Tier 3 (Secret) investigation costs $420. DCSA also updated the cost for taking advantage of its continuous vetting services, so agencies can be in compliance with the Trusted Workforce 2.0 reform effort. Enrollment in the Trusted Workforce 1.25 solution can be obtained for just $3.00, or $36 annually.

Many individuals ask if they can pay for a security clearance themselves, but the federal government is the only one fronting the costs for obtaining a security clearance. Even government contractors don’t pay for the cost of the background investigations for the personnel they employ. While there has been debate in the past about making contractors pay for their own security clearances, the consensus has largely been that making contractors pay for security clearances would create disparity between large and smaller contractors. That means for now, the federal government is the only one fronting security clearance costs.

Security Clearance Background Investigation Costs FY 2022/2023

Investigation TypeStandardPriority
National Agency Check$140N/A
Tier 1 (non-sensitive low risk)$180N/A
Tier 2 (moderate risk public trust)$420$455
Tier 2R (reinvestigation)$380$410
Tier 3 (non-critical sensitive – Secret)$420N/A
Tier 3R (reinvestigation)$380N/A
Tier 4 (high risk public trust)$4,095$4,425
Tier 4R (reinvestigation)$2,530$2,730
Tier 5 (critical and special sensitive (TS and SCI)$5,410$5,845
Tier 5R (reinvestigation)$2,965$3,200

The Cost Breakdown of a Background Investigation

Why are Top Secret security clearance investigations so much more expensive to conduct? The amount of field work required is much more extensive. While a Secret clearance can largely be completed with use of automated checks, a Top Secret security clearance requires verifying a large number of references and a lot more field work. That investigator time costs money, and is born out of higher investigation costs.

How Much Does It Cost to Obtain a Clearance - FY 2022/23 Costs Go Down (2024)

FAQs

How Much Does It Cost to Obtain a Clearance - FY 2022/23 Costs Go Down? ›

Agencies that use DCSA to conduct their investigations will pay DCSA, and each year it updates the cost to conduct an investigation. For FY 2022/23, costs actually went down by 3%. A Tier 5 (Top Secret) clearance investigation costs $5,410, and a Tier 3 (Secret) investigation costs $420.

How much does it cost to get clearance? ›

Costs include application fees, which range between $200 and $500 for Top Secret clearances, and investigation costs, which can be between $3,000 and $15,000. You should also budget for miscellaneous expenses, such as travel and legal fees.

What is the charge for security clearance? ›

Security clearance costs vary depending on the level required: Confidential Clearance: The most basic level, ranging between $200 to $3,000. Costs are lower due to less intensive background checks. Secret Clearance: This mid-level clearance typically ranges from $3,000 to $15,000.

What is the real cost of a security clearance? ›

The average cost to process a SECRET clearance can run from several hundred dollars to $3,000, depending upon individual factors. The average cost to process a TOP SECRET clearance is between $3,000 and about $15,000, depending upon individual factors.

Can I get a security clearance on my own? ›

Can I obtain a security clearance on my own? No. You must be sponsored by a cleared contractor or a Government agency. To be sponsored you must be employed (or hired as a consultant) in a position that requires a clearance.

How much does it cost to do clearance? ›

Making the Required Payment:

The application fee for a Police Clearance Certificate is R170. 00. Payment can be made in cash at the nearest police station or through electronic transfer.

What is the clearance fee? ›

The customs broker or customs clearance agent charges a custom clearance fee to cater to the expenses of preparing and filing customs documents. Fees are payable as one price for a bundle of services, as a flat per piece, or as a percentage of the shipment value.

What will disqualify you from a security clearance? ›

What can disqualify you?
  • You are not a U.S. citizen.
  • You were dishonorably discharged from the military.
  • You are currently involved in illegal drug use.
  • You have been judged as mentally incompetent or mentally incapacitated by a mental health professional.
  • You have had a clearance revoked for security reasons.

What is the value of having a security clearance? ›

Holding a security clearance may allow you to: Enjoy more job security, as roles that require security clearances are in demand. Pursue cleared career opportunities that allow you to impact critical projects that directly help others (for example, projects involving national security, global defense, and healthcare)

How long does it take to do a security clearance? ›

Below are approximate timelines for the clearance process: 1-2 months for a new Secret (interim) clearance. 6-8 months for a new Top Secret (TS) clearance. 8-15 months for a new Top Secret clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI)

What are clearance costs? ›

Clearance Costs means any and all amounts in respect of the purchase and transportation of such Inventory or Equipment, as applicable, including duty, freight, brokerage fees, insurance and other similar costs, other than the purchase price.

How to get Top Secret clearance? ›

Our process
  1. Receive a conditional offer of employment. ...
  2. Complete Standard Form 86 (SF-86) ...
  3. Take a polygraph. ...
  4. Get a psychological or medical evaluation. ...
  5. Perform credit check and National Agency Check (NAC) ...
  6. Conduct background investigation. ...
  7. Adjudicate and final job offer.

Do you make more money with a security clearance? ›

Based on survey data, on average, a security clearance generates 10-20% salary premium with higher clearances commanding the largest increases.

What is the easiest security clearance to get? ›

National Security clearances range from confidential, which is the easiest to attain, to Secret, Top Secret, and SCI, which is the most challenging. Public Trust clearances are either low, moderate, or high risk, and Non-sensitive are the least extensive, requiring only criminal background and credit checks.

Can the president be denied a security clearance? ›

The good news for Trump is that U.S. presidents don't need security clearances. In November 2016, if not for Trump's “President-elect” title, “citizen” Trump would have been denied a security clearance due to his extensive long-term business dealings with Russian oligarchs. In 2008, Donald Trump Jr.

Do you have to have good credit to get a security clearance? ›

The credit check during the background investigation is intended to find out if you've been keeping up with your financial obligations. Generally, there aren't hard-and-fast rules about your credit that determine whether you are granted or denied a security clearance.

How much does clear clearance cost? ›

The $189 annual fee for the Clear Plus individual membership allows you to pass through expedited airport security. Clear also offers a free sports and events pass through its app that helps shorten the time it takes to enter sports and entertainment venues.

How much does it cost to apply for TSA clearance? ›

TSA PreCheck®: $77.95 - $85

If you enroll through Clear at an airport kiosk (where available), it will cost $77.95 alone, or $199.95 if you choose to package Clear Plus membership with your TSA PreCheck® membership. Not matter which enrollment provider you use, the membership lasts for five years.

Is clearance cheaper than sale? ›

Items on clearance will typically be priced lower than traditional sales since they tend to be for items that shoppers aren't willing to buy, unless it's for a real bargain. “Unlike a sale, says American Retail Supply, “the price of an item on clearance will not go back up.

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