The Security Clearance Pathway process is organized in five tiers. Tier 1 begins with client/student registration, collection of basic information, completion of a questionnaire, and a criminal background and credit check.
When complete, an SCP Case Manager will review the application in detail and flag the candidate to any issue that might result in automatic denial of a security clearance. In that case, potential mitigation strategies may be suggested since, for example, minor criminal charges or other matters can pass muster with proper documentation and resolution.
Background issues that are unique or particularly complex will be identified and discussed with the student either in writing or over a call. For example, if a student has experienced a great deal of international travel, if they have a large number of foriegn contacts or family members living abroad, the security clearance application process grows in complexity.
At Tier I, students are able to take advantage of our blog and other corporate resources provided as an aid in understanding the security clearance process. After your Tier I background check and credit standing is reviewed, a case manager will suggest the next best steps for preparing a security clearance application. Usually this will entail moving to a Tier II or higher (Tiers III – V).
At the Tier II level, students will begin completing a model Security Clearance Application in the form of a draft Standard Form 86 (SF-86). The Standard Form 86 is the final, formal application submitted to the US government to obtain a security clearance. Its accuracy and quality of detail will determine your security clearance disposition.
Your case manager and a security facility officer (SFO) employed by SCP will review the form, and then recommend changes as needed. If issues are identified that may impact a security clearance approval, a recommendation could be made to advance to Tiers III, IV or V depending upon need.
In Tiers IV and V, our concierge services are available. Depending on the stage, your assigned case manager and your SFO work diligently to increase your chances of gaining federal security clearance, so you can land your dream job.