Security clearances are essential for roles involving sensitive government data or national security. Learn about the different clearance levels, who needs them, how the process works, and what to expect when applying for security cleared jobs in the UK.
Security clearances are an essential part of the process when applying for a job that may have national security considerations or require you to work with highly sensitive government data.
In the UK, government information is classified into three levels – OFFICIAL, SECRET and TOP SECRET – based on the potential harm that could be caused if compromised. Each of these requires increasing levels of security clearance to access – and to achieve this, a thorough national security vetting (NSV) process is required.
Getting security cleared demonstrates you are of good character and are trusted to handle some of the country’s most confidential assets. As such, it is a critical requirement for a wide range of jobs, both within the public sector and for any government contractors.
The United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) agency, which runs the process, explains: “National security vetting helps employers and employees to identify, manage and mitigate risks for roles where national security concerns are a consideration. These include jobs with access to high risk sites, highly classified information or systems.”
Tony Samuel of SecurityClearedJobs also comments: “As a job board, we are seeing an increase in demand for the enhanced clearances since they have been introduced. The work that is being carried out that warrants this type of clearance is increasing rapidly after what has been a subdued market for a while. The time frames to conduct these clearances is still restrictive when hiring, meaning that once a candidate has been through the process, they become especially valuable.”
There are seven distinct security clearance levels you can obtain depending on the role and the type of data you’ll need to interact with, including five major levels and two ‘sub-levels’. Broadly speaking, the more sensitive the information is to national security, the higher the level required – and the more thorough the vetting will be.
Understanding what these processes involve and when they are required is the first step for any candidate searching for security cleared jobs in the UK. Here’s a breakdown of each.
BPSS is required for any individual working with governmental assets at OFFICIAL level, including civil servants, members of the armed forces, temporary staff and government contractors. It is not a formal security clearance in itself, but works as an essential foundation for all other levels.
It is recognised as the standard for the pre-employment screening of all individuals with access to government assets, so passing this is a first step before any other clearance is awarded.
BPSS consists of a high-level check of a person’s background, looking at:
AC is a specialist level of security clearance needed only by certain individuals working in the aviation sector. It is required for employees who will be expected to work airside or in security restricted areas at any UK airports, including those who:
A CTC clearance – also sometimes known as Level 1B clearance – is required for individuals who will be in close contact with public figures who may be at risk of terrorist attack, such as politicians. For this reason, all members of staff at the Houses of Parliament, for example, are required to pass CTC.
It is also required for employees who will be working with information that could be of value to terrorists or who will require unescorted access to certain locations that are deemed to be at particular risk from terrorist attack, including military, civil, industrial or commercial facilities.
SC clearance is required for positions where employees need frequent, long-term and unsupervised access to information with the SECRET classification level. It also allows for occasional, supervised access to TOP SECRET materials.
The SC clearance process is much more thorough and in-depth than lower levels of classification, including checks on work and financial history, a review of security service records and, potentially, close associates. It is the most commonly-held UK security clearance, often regarded as the standard for access to sensitive government assets.
For certain situations, the stricter enhanced Security Check (eSC) may be required. This is a supplementary clearance that allows regular uncontrolled access up to SECRET level and occasional, controlled access to TOP SECRET assets. This is only used for agreed, specific roles where an additional level of assurance is required over SC. Examples of scenarios where eSC may be required include:
DV is the highest level of security clearance awarded in the UK, reserved for individuals who are required to have frequent and uncontrolled access to TOP SECRET assets, or need access to TOP SECRET codeword material. DV vetting is a highly rigorous process that typically takes several months to complete and includes thorough vetting of both the candidate and associated third parties, such as spouses.
Checks for DV involve detailed examinations of personal and professional histories, finances, criminal records and an in-depth face-to-face interview with a trained vetting officer.
In a very limited number of circumstances, DV may be supplemented by enhanced Developed Vetting. Like eSC, this is required for a small number of specific, defined roles. However, eDV is only able to be requested by a select few sponsors, with an existing prior agreement with both UKSV and the Cabinet Office.
There are a large number of roles that may require applicants to obtain a security clearance. In general, any position that can be considered important to UK national security will require vetting.
Key sectors and specialisms where security clearances are commonly required include:
Clearance is not limited to frontline roles. Support and professional functions across these sectors frequently require vetting too, including:
The route to clearance follows the same broad path at every level, though checks become deeper as the sensitivity of the role rises. Some stages, such as the interview, mainly apply at the higher clearances.
Most levels of vetting have fixed periods after which they must be renewed. For example, SC clearances last for ten years, while for DV the period is seven years. However, in order to maintain your status, there will be a number of steps you’ll need to follow. These include:
Altered circumstances may affect your UK security clearance eligibility. Events that will need to be disclosed include a change of name or nationality, divorce, a new partner, significant changes in finances such as bankruptcies or inheritances, or any involvement with the police, such as being arrested or cautioned.
Clearances can also be withdrawn if any concerns about your activities or circumstances are raised before the formal review. The government outlines the following unacceptable behaviours that may lead to a security clearance being revoked:
Here’s a brief overview of application timelines and renewal requirements for key UK security clearances:
| Clearance level | Typical processing time | Renewal period |
| BPSS | Around 5 to 10 days | No fixed period |
| CTC | Around 6 weeks | 10 years (5 years for some contractors) |
| SC | Around 6 weeks | 10 years |
| DV | Several months | 7 years |
How long does the security clearance process take?
It varies, but more in-depth clearances will take substantially longer. For instance, BPSS typically takes between five and ten days, whereas SC takes about six weeks. The DV process, however, can last for several months.
Will past financial issues or criminal records be an issue?
Many people may think a criminal conviction or an issue such as bankruptcy will disqualify them from security clearance, but this is not always true. Each circumstance is viewed on a case-by-case basis. However, failing to disclose issues will cause problems.
Can I get security clearance if I lived abroad?
Time spent living abroad is not an automatic bar, but you will have to prove your whereabouts and what you were doing during any time overseas. To obtain a CTC, you must have normally resided in the UK for a minimum of three out of the last five years, while for SC, you must normally have resided in the UK for at least the last five years.
Can I appeal if my clearance is rejected?
Usually, yes. If you are refused clearance, the organisation that made the decision should tell you if you have the right to appeal and explain the process you’ll need to follow. This might involve two stages, with the chance of a further independent review at a higher level if your appeal is rejected at the first hearing.
What’s the difference between a DBS check and security clearance?
A DBS check is a criminal record check, run by the Disclosure and Barring Service. It’s used mainly for roles that involve working with children or vulnerable adults to confirm that someone is suitable for regulated and safeguarding positions. Security clearance is broader and focuses on national security, assessing your trustworthiness to access classified assets through checks on your finances, history and references. Some roles need both.
Does my security clearance transfer if I change jobs?
No, not automatically. Clearance is held through your sponsoring organisation and tied to the role, so it does not simply follow you to a new job. If your clearance is still active, a new sponsor can request a transfer through UKSV, which is quicker than starting again. Once lapsed, it may need reinstating.
How much does security clearance cost in the UK?
For individuals there is normally no cost, as security clearance is paid for by the sponsoring organisation rather than the applicant. The amount they pay depends on the level, with CTC and SC relatively inexpensive and DV far more costly, given the depth of investigation involved. Be wary of any employer asking you to pay for your own vetting, as such requests are a common warning sign of a recruitment scam.
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