Security Clearance on a Resume: How and Where to List It

For many defense, intelligence and government contracting jobs, a security clearance is one of the first things a recruiter looks for. Some postings require it on day one. If your clearance isn't easy to find on your resume, you may get passed over for jobs you're well suited to.

At the same time, there's information about your clearance that doesn't belong on a resume at all. Here's how to list it clearly, word its status correctly and keep sensitive details off the page.

Clearance rules and timelines can change. For questions about your own eligibility, talk to your security office or facility security officer, and see DCSA for official guidance.

Clearance basics in plain terms

A few terms come up again and again:

• Clearance level. The three common levels are Confidential, Secret and Top Secret.
• Access. Extra access, such as SCI, is granted on top of a clearance for specific needs. It isn't a separate level.
• Eligibility versus access. You can be found eligible for a level but not currently have access because you aren't in a position that needs it.
• Investigation and vetting. Clearances are based on background investigations, and many people are now enrolled in ongoing vetting.

You don't need to explain all of this on your resume. You just need to state your level and status accurately.

Active, current or expired: wording matters

Recruiters use these words to judge how quickly you could start. Use them carefully.

Active

Use "active" when you currently hold the clearance and are in a position that uses it, or have just left one. For example, a service member still on active duty in a cleared role.

Current

"Current" is often used when you no longer have active access, such as after leaving a cleared job, but your eligibility may still be reinstated without a full new investigation for a period of time. The length of that window and how it works can vary. Confirm your status with your former security office before you call it current.

Expired or inactive

If it's been a long time since you left a cleared position, your clearance may no longer be easy to reinstate. You can still mention past eligibility if it's relevant, but word it as past.

When in doubt, describe the facts rather than picking a label. "Held Top Secret eligibility through [Month Year]" is accurate and lets the employer ask follow-up questions.

Where to put it on your resume

Put your clearance where a recruiter sees it in the first few seconds. Good options:

1. In your header, on its own line under your contact information.
2. In your summary, as the first or last line.
3. In a short "Clearance" section near the top.

Many cleared job seekers do two of these, such as a header line plus a mention in the summary. Keep it as plain text so applicant tracking systems can read it. Our guide to ATS-friendly resume formats explains why text in headers, footers and graphics can get lost.

How to word the line

Keep it short and factual.

Before

Clearance: TS/SCI (Polygraph, investigation completed 20XX, case # ####, adjudicated at XXXX, program XYZ)

After

Active Top Secret / SCI clearance

Or, if you've left the role:

Top Secret / SCI eligibility, last active Month Year

The "after" versions give an employer everything they need to decide whether to talk to you. If a posting asks for a specific polygraph type and you have it, you can add it in a few words, such as "with counterintelligence polygraph." Leave out the rest.

What not to share

A resume gets passed around, saved in databases and sometimes posted publicly. Keep these off it:

• Classified information of any kind, including program names, code words, mission details or locations that aren't public
• Investigation case numbers or file identifiers
• Your Social Security number or other identity numbers
• Details of past adjudication issues, if any
• Sensitive specifics about your unit or role that could be pieced together

Also be careful in your bullets. You can describe the type of work and its results in general terms without revealing anything sensitive. For example, "Produced daily intelligence assessments for senior leaders" works without naming the subject.

If you're unsure whether a detail is okay to share, leave it out or ask your security office.

Writing bullets for cleared work

Cleared work is still work. Hiring managers want to see what you did and what changed because of it. Translate your duties into civilian language where you can, and pick civilian job titles that describe your function. Our guide to military to civilian job titles walks through that conversion.

Some tips:

• Describe the function, such as analysis, network defense or logistics
• Describe the scale in general terms, like the size of the team or how many people relied on your work
• Use general outcomes, like faster reporting or fewer errors

For more on turning military duties into resume bullets, see how to translate military experience into a civilian resume.

Keep LinkedIn consistent and careful

Many cleared professionals note their clearance level on LinkedIn to attract recruiters. If you do, stick to the level and status only. Be aware that public profiles can be seen by anyone. Some people choose to leave the clearance off LinkedIn and mention it only to recruiters directly. That's a personal choice, and following your organization's guidance comes first.

FAQ

Should I list a clearance that's no longer active?

Yes, if it's relevant to the job, but word it accurately. Use a phrase like "eligibility, last active Month Year" rather than calling it active. Employers can then judge whether it can be reinstated.

Can I say I'm "clearable"?

Some people use "clearable" to mean they believe they could get a clearance. It's vague and makes no promise, so use it with care. A better approach is to state any past eligibility, or simply note that you're willing to undergo a background investigation.

Does SCI count as a separate clearance level?

No. SCI is a type of access granted on top of a Top Secret clearance for specific needs. On a resume, it's normally written together with the level, such as "Top Secret / SCI."

Should I include my polygraph on my resume?

Only if the job asks for one and you have it. Keep it to a few words, such as the polygraph type. Don't include dates, results or other details.

Want to see whether your clearance and experience stand out to cleared employers? Upload your resume for a free Sortie score, then browse your matches for roles that fit your background.