Is TS SCI the highest clearance?
John Johnson
Updated on March 29, 2026
Information “above Top Secret,” a phrase used by the media, means either Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) or Special Access Program (SAP). It is not truly “above” Top Secret, since there is no clearance higher than Top Secret.
Do you possess an active TS SCI clearance?
Many positions in federal government agencies and the military require a Top Secret (TS) or Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance for key staff who will handle sensitive information. To apply for either of these clearances, you must have a job offer from an employer that requires it for your position.
What level is TS SCI?
There are three national security clearance levels: Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret. Work deemed Critical Sensitive requires a Top Secret clearance. Special Sensitive work requires access to Sensitive Compartmented Information and therefore a Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance.
What is TS SCI polygraph clearance?
What is top secret or sensitive compartmented information clearance? TS/SCI clearance allows you to access sensitive information that is not available to the public. Sometimes, this can mean access to data, information or even technology that is only available to those with the appropriate clearance level.
Is there a Secret SCI clearance?
In some cases, an individual may be read into an SCI program, regardless of the clearance level, although additional vetting will be required. So, it is possible to have a secret clearance, and SCI access. Just like having a Top Secret clearance also doesn’t mean you have a ‘TS/SCI’ clearance.
How much is a Top Secret SCI clearance worth?
However, some studies (including the report by ClearanceJobs.com) do find a dollar amount range to be more or less accurate. ClearanceJobs.com reports that the “average total compensation” for professionals with security clearances approximately is $90,000.
How long is a TS SCI clearance valid?
five years
An individual is normally subject to reinvestigation approximately every five years for a Secret or Top Secret clearance. For what reasons would I be denied a security clearance?
How much is a TS SCI clearance worth?
ClearanceJobs.com reports that the “average total compensation” for professionals with security clearances approximately is $90,000. It is important to note that the dollar amount listed here is the average of “total” compensation, not necessarily the pay grade or dollar amount you might see in a monthly paycheck.
What is TS SCI eligibility?
Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) is a subset of classified national intelligence. Eligibility for access to SCI is determined by an SSBI or PR. Because the same investigation is used to grant Top Secret clearances, the two are often written together as TS/SCI.
Can you have a secret SCI?
Do you need to know how to get TS / SCI security clearance?
Do you need to know how to get a TS/SCI security clearance? “TS/SCI” stands for Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmentalized Information and while some may confused the “SCI” designation as an additional security clearance, it is not. What is it?
What does being TS / SCI eligible mean?
SCI is an access program that gets “added on” to the clearance. As long as the TS is valid, if there is a need for you to become “read in”, then they can evaluate your situation and current clearance (without another full investigation) to decide whether or not to grant access.
How do you get a Top Secret SCI clearance?
There are several steps in the journey toward a Top Secret Security Clearance with access to SCI. They include: Sponsorship; Background investigation (requiring the applicant to complete an SF-86/Questionnaire for National Security Positions form) Clearance interviews; Polygraph test (for some applicants, not all) Adjudication; Background Check
What kind of security clearance do you need in the military?
Many Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) require some form of security clearance. The three levels of personnel clearance in the military are confidential, secret, and top-secret. The MOS you select determines what type (if any) military security clearance you need for the specialty.