Security Clearance Status

**swamp** · 21 December 2015, 15:31

Originally posted by 0978 View Post

Hi,

I was hoping somebody could help, I gained my SC clearance whilst working for Company Z in September 2013 but then left that company in July 2014 as a permanent employee. Now I have chosen to enter the world of contracting in January. With a secured role but when the new company; Company Y have checked the DBS database, my clearance status is displayed as lapsed. I am currently in the process of getting this transferred anyway,

This has drawn some worries, as I was under the impression that clearance lapsed after 12 months in a role where the holder isn't using that level of clearance? Have I got this wrong? This is obviously putting my first ever contract in trouble of even starting now.

If it's any help, my certification doesn't expire until 2024.

-0978

Your clearance has lapsed; you can't transfer it.

Company Y will put you through a new clearance process. It's done online now and the process is a bit faster than before, especially if you were cleared recently.

**northernladuk** · 21 December 2015, 15:33

Shame we have a massive sticky covering all of this over and over...

**0978** · 21 December 2015, 15:59

Originally posted by swamp View Post

Your clearance has lapsed; you can't transfer it.

Company Y will put you through a new clearance process. It's done online now and the process is a bit faster than before, especially if you were cleared recently.

I was under the impression that it lapsed after 12 months though? Could it be that because I am not in a role that requires it and it's in transfer state?

**SueEllen** · 21 December 2015, 16:35

Originally posted by 0978 View Post

I was under the impression that it lapsed after 12 months though? Could it be that because I am not in a role that requires it and it's in transfer state?

Clearance goes with the role. If you don't use it, it lapses. However it's easy to resurrect again if it's recently lapsed and your personal situation hasn't changed.

**Boo** · 21 December 2015, 22:23

Originally posted by 0978 View Post

I was under the impression that it lapsed after 12 months though?

It is after 12 months ? You say you left the cleard job in July 2014 so it lapsed in July 2015, no ?

Boo

**0978** · 22 December 2015, 08:27

Originally posted by Boo View Post

It is after 12 months ? You say you left the cleard job in July 2014 so it lapsed in July 2015, no ?

Boo

Apologies I left the role in July 2015 and I've been out of an SC cleared role for 6-7 months now. That's why I am a little confused about the 12 month lapse period? Hope that helps now.

**Acme Thunderer** · 22 December 2015, 08:53

I was under the impression it was a 12 month "heartbeat" that the list was reviewed by the client. If you weren't in the role when the list was reviewed the clearance lapsed. This could be the day after you left the role

**malvolio** · 22 December 2015, 09:03

Originally posted by Acme Thunderer View Post

I was under the impression it was a 12 month "heartbeat" that the list was reviewed by the client. If you weren't in the role when the list was reviewed the clearance lapsed. This could be the day after you left the role

Basically this ^^ It's the last time your clearance was verified that determines the actual date is lapses. However, it's a risk assessment at the end of the day; your new security team will have a view on what is and isn't relevant and/or can be transferred over.

At the end of the day., it's lapsed, regardless of whatever time scales you believe might apply. Starting again is the only option.

Think positive: I've been passed for SC clearance 7 times in my 20 year contracting career... Go figure...

**northernladuk** · 22 December 2015, 10:17

So have you told the agent yet??

Security Clearance Status