How long does it take to upgrade from tier 3 to tier 5 clearance?

2023-01-11T01:47:10-05:00

How long does it take to go from tier 3 to tier 5 clearance? Just got a job who wants to upgrade me and I honestly don’t want to quit my current job now and be waiting months on end just to get the upgrade and not working. I asked their HR and they said they don’t know only their security team knows that information.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2023 4:40 AM

2023-01-11T04:40:03-05:00

That's a pretty open ended question. How backed up is OPM? How long since your last investigation? Were there any flags that needed to be investigated and how severe? How backed up is OPM?

Even your security manager can't tell you exactly how long it will be on any given day. I've seen it take anywhere from six weeks to a year. I'd say most of the time time it falls between 3-9 months, but even that mostly depends on how backed up is OPM at the moment. I haven't sent anyone for an upgrade in well over a year, it might be quick right now

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2023 11:47 AM

2023-01-11T11:47:17-05:00

It ultimately depends but from my experience, it hasn't been taking too long from eQIP to adjudication. I submitted one for T5 in June/July and they were adjudicated by end of October.

The average is about 80 days from eQIP to adjudication but that depends on the investigator, if you had major changes since your T3, etc. But adjudication for DoD is done by DCSA CAS.

It's definitely not a super quick process and I've noticed civilian security managers are really shitty at their job. But HR wouldn't know - only the security personnel would know that's true.

Response by MSG Gary Eckert made Jan 11 at 2023 8:44 PM

2023-01-11T20:44:07-05:00

Are you changing agencies. If not your Personnel office should leave your in your current position (if that position is not being eliminated) until you are qualified (to include security clearance) with your new position.