Lana Oconnell
The Department of Energy (DOE) requires individuals to undergo a rigorous vetting process, including background investigations and drug testing, to obtain security clearances for accessing classified information or special nuclear material. While DOE Q clearance falls under this purview, it is explicitly stated that only US citizens aged 18 or above are eligible for such clearances. Non-US citizens are generally ineligible for security clearances, with limited exceptions for specific situations where they possess unique skills or expertise urgently needed and no current US clearance holder is available.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can obtain a security clearance? | Only U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years of age are eligible for a security clearance. |
| What is a DOE access authorization? | An administrative determination that an individual is eligible for access to classified material when required by their official duties or eligible for access to or control over special nuclear material. |
| What is the process for obtaining a DOE clearance? | The applicant completes requisite actions (e.g., Personal Identity Verification, drug testing, completion of e-QIP), the SNL Clearance Office submits a clearance request to the DOE, which is reviewed and, if approved, a background investigation is requested from a federal investigative agency. After the investigation, a report is submitted for adjudication, and the clearance is either granted or denied. |
| What are the eligibility criteria for a security clearance? | Individuals must meet national standards of honesty, reliability, and trustworthiness. Drug use, abuse of prescription drugs, and misuse of other substances are considered and may impact eligibility. |
| Are there any exceptions for non-U.S. citizens? | In rare circumstances, a non-U.S. citizen with a unique skill or expertise that is urgently needed may be granted Limited Access Authorization (LAA). However, this is only issued at the Secret level or below, and the government must prove that a current clearance holder is not available. |
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What You'll Learn
Non-US citizens cannot obtain security clearance
Generally, non-US citizens cannot obtain security clearance. Executive Order 12968, Access to Classified Information, stipulates that eligibility to access classified information may only be granted to US citizens. This is also true of the Department of Energy (DOE) clearance, which is only available to US citizens who are at least 18 years of age.
However, there may be exceptions for specific situations. Limited Access Authorization (LAA) may be granted in rare circumstances where a non-US citizen possesses a unique or unusual skill or has expertise that is urgently needed. The need must be specific, and the government must prove that a current clearance holder is unavailable. The National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) and Industrial Security Letter (ISL) outline the procedures for LAA, which may only be issued at the Secret level or below.
Requests for non-US citizens to obtain access to classified information must include a Letter of Justification (LOJ) and must be endorsed by the program's executive officer or the official responsible for the contract. The LOJ must be sent to the DSS along with proof of foreign citizenship (i.e. passport), copy of disclosure determination or export license, and a foreign security clearance certificate (if available).
The DOE Personnel Clearance Process involves an investigation and consideration of any matter relating to the determination of whether access is consistent with national security interests. The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), or another federal agency authorized to conduct background investigations, conducts a personnel security investigation for the DOE. Upon completion of the requisite actions (e.g., Personal Identity Verification steps, drug testing, completion of e-QIP) by the clearance applicant, the SNL Clearance Office submits a clearance request to the DOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Personnel and Facility Clearances and Classification (OPFCC). The OPFCC reviews the clearance request and, upon approval, submits a background investigation (BI) request to the applicable federal investigative agency. Upon completion of the BI, a report is forwarded to the OPFCC for adjudication as the determining authority. The time taken for the adjudicative process varies according to the nature and extent of the information reviewed. Based on its adjudication, NNSA grants or denies the clearance and notifies the SNL Clearance Office accordingly.
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Eligibility is determined by a personnel security investigation
The Department of Energy (DOE) Personnel Security Program establishes requirements to ensure its missions are accomplished in a secure environment. An indication of this trust and confidence is a security clearance.
Only U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years of age are eligible for a DOE clearance. Non-U.S. citizens cannot obtain a security clearance. However, there may be exceptions for specific situations. Limited Access Authorization (LAA) may be granted in rare circumstances where a non-U.S. citizen possesses a unique or unusual skill or expertise that is urgently needed.
The DOE's procurement process follows strict rules from the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the DOE's own guidelines. This process decides when contracts are awarded. Government contractors with Q-cleared employees are more likely to win bids as they are considered more reliable and capable.
The heart of the DOE's clearance program is the process by which DOE grants, continues, and revokes clearances. Before granting a clearance, either the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducts background investigations of applicants in accordance with standards prescribed in Executive Order 10450. DOE then reviews the results to determine whether applicants are trustworthy and eligible for a clearance.
In determining eligibility, DOE may investigate and consider any matter that relates to the determination of whether access is clearly consistent with the interests of national security. Generally, DOE issues Q and L access authorizations. An individual’s eligibility is based on the completion of a personnel security investigation conducted for DOE by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), or other federal agency authorized to conduct background investigations.
All individuals’ initial and continued eligibility for security clearances are adjudged against the Adjudicative Guidelines for Determining Eligibility for Access to Classified Information (National Guidelines). Where DOE has no information related to any of the areas of concern identified in the Guidelines, either from the report of investigation or from other sources, a favorable determination must be made. If there are areas of concern identified in the Guidelines, such information will be regarded as derogatory and create a question as to the individual’s security clearance eligibility. If questions as to the individual’s security clearance eligibility can be favorably resolved in accordance with the processes and considerations set forth in the Guidelines, the appropriate security clearance must be granted or continued.
For all Members of the Workforce, subsequent background reviews may be initiated in association with a request for clearance reinstatement following an extended absence from work (e.g., leave of absence), or when the previous background review is older than one year.
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Applicants are subject to drug testing
The Department of Energy (DOE) Q clearance is for individuals pursuing roles in sensitive sectors such as national security, nuclear research, and intelligence operations.
Drug Testing for Applicants
All applicants for DOE Q clearance are subject to drug testing. The DOE requires specific information to be submitted into the NBIS eApp questionnaire, which will be used for the subsequent investigation. The investigation process includes a single-scope background investigation of the applicant's life over the previous ten years.
The NBIS eApp process involves providing personal information and several electronic signature pages. Once the NBIS eApp is complete, the applicant must certify and release the NBIS eApp package, putting it into the queue for review by the ORNL Clearance Office.
Maintaining Clearance
To maintain a healthy DOE Q clearance, the clearance holder should exercise caution in all personal and professional activities to avoid threats to sensitive information. This includes being mindful when interacting with individuals from foreign countries and protecting sensitive information.
DOE Q clearance holders are subject to random drug testing. Personal or professional changes such as employment status, financial status, or personal relationships should be reported to the agency, as failure to do so could result in a loss of clearance.
Eligibility
Only U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years of age are eligible for a DOE Q clearance. There may be exceptions for non-U.S. citizens with unique skills or expertise. However, the government must prove that a current clearance holder with the required citizenship is not available.
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The process begins with Personal Identity Verification
Only US citizens who are at least 18 years old are eligible for a Department of Energy (DOE) clearance. International students are therefore not eligible for a DOE Q clearance.
However, assuming an exception is made for a specific situation, the process for obtaining a DOE Q clearance begins with Personal Identity Verification. This is one of the requisite actions that a clearance applicant must complete, along with drug testing and completion of e-QIP. Once these actions are completed, the SNL Clearance Office submits a clearance request to the DOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Personnel and Facility Clearances and Classification (OPFCC).
The Personal Identity Verification process involves a variety of record checks and may include a personal interview with the applicant and interviews with people who know them well, such as family, friends, and references, or those who know of them, such as neighbours, co-workers, and associates.
The investigation process includes a single-scope background investigation of the applicant's life by the OPM and the FBI over the previous ten years. All DCSA-affiliated investigators carry credentials and will identify themselves as associated with the DCSA. They are authorised to call, email, and text persons who are under investigation.
It is essential to respond promptly to investigator requests and messages, as this aids in the timely completion of background investigations and indicates the recipient's compliance with DOE requirements. Failure to cooperate with the security clearance process may result in a loss of clearance.
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Background investigations are conducted by the DCSA or FBI
Only U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years old are eligible for a Department of Energy (DOE) clearance. However, there may be exceptions for non-U.S. citizens in specific situations. A Limited Access Authorization (LAA) may be granted in rare cases where a non-citizen possesses a unique skill or expertise that is urgently needed.
Background investigations are conducted by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The DOE may also authorise other federal agencies to conduct these investigations. The DCSA is the primary office conducting background suitability investigations for positions within the Executive Branch. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence is responsible for security investigations for access to classified information and sensitive positions.
The type of investigation conducted depends on the level of risk. A Low-Risk position requires a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI), which includes a law enforcement check, records search, credit check, and written inquiries of previous/current employers, education, residence, and references. Moderate Risk positions require a Minimum Background Investigation (MBI), which is a NACI plus a candidate interview. High-Risk positions necessitate a full Background Investigation (BI), involving an MBI plus a review of the candidate's employment, residential, and educational history for the last five years. In some cases, sources from this period may be interviewed in person.
The FBI reference-checks former employers, coworkers, friends, neighbours, landlords, and schools, and reviews credit, tax, and police records. The process for obtaining a security clearance begins after a provisional offer has been made and accepted, with the submission of the applicant's completed SF form by the sponsoring agency to an investigative agency. The background investigation process can vary in duration, depending on the nature and extent of the information reviewed.
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Frequently asked questions
Only U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years of age are eligible for a DOE clearance.
A DOE clearance, or access authorization, is an administrative determination that an individual is eligible for access to classified material when required by their official duties or eligible for access to or control over special nuclear material.
The DOE clearance process involves submitting a clearance request, undergoing a background investigation, and receiving approval or denial from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).
The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducts background investigations for DOE clearances. These investigations consider any matter relating to national security interests and follow the Adjudicative Guidelines for Determining Eligibility for Access to Classified Information.
Non-U.S. citizens generally cannot obtain security clearances. However, Limited Access Authorization (LAA) may be granted in rare cases where the individual possesses unique skills or expertise urgently needed, and no current U.S. clearance holder is available.
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