Helping Federal Job Applicants Understand Interim/Temporary Security Clearance
Generally speaking, the completion of a full security check can take months. Many federal agencies need to fill positions faster than that, so they cannot always wait for the final clearance. In these situations, an applicant may be approved for interim security clearance until the final clearance comes through.
Obtaining interim security clearance is critical for many positions. From our Washington, D.C., office, the law firm of Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch, P.C., we provide seasoned advice and counsel to federal applicants. We can help you understand the security guidelines, help you fill out your questionnaire properly and hopefully obtain the valuable clearance you need.
Understanding Interim Clearance and Denials
Your personnel security officer or facility security officer will submit your completed security questionnaire to the Defense Security Service, or DSS. If none of your answers raises any questions whatsoever, you may be granted an interim clearance. There are two types of interim clearance: secret and top secret. Applicants seeking secret interim security clearance typically receive their clearance quicker.
Sometimes an interim clearance may be denied for reasons having nothing to do with damaging information on the form. For example, if you lived or worked abroad, DSS may conclude that interviews with foreign nationals may be necessary, and will deny the interim clearance. More likely, the applicant will have checked "yes" to a question that raises issues that must be resolved. In such cases, an interim clearance is denied. Instead, the applicant will be referred for the next stage, the investigation.
Importantly, the denial of an interim clearance may not be appealed or contested. The applicant is not even told the reason why the interim clearance was denied. If you have been denied an interim clearance, the attorneys at Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch, P.C., can review your application and advise you as to the likely reasons for the denial.
Contact an Experienced Federal Security Clearance Lawyer
To learn more about interim security clearance and what it means in your situation, call the experienced legal team at Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch, P.C., at 202-331-9260 or contact our DC law firm online.
