How Long Does It Take to Get a Security Clearance? Realistic Timelines for 2025

Stuck Waiting for Your Clearance? Here’s What You Need to Know

You’ve applied for a new federal job or contractor role. The position requires a security clearance—and now, everything is on hold.

Weeks pass. Then months. Your new employer says, “We’re just waiting on the background check.” Meanwhile, your rent is due, your old job is gone, and no one can tell you exactly when you’ll be cleared to work.

You’re frustrated, confused, and worried that something might be wrong with your application.

At National Security Law Firm, we understand how stressful this limbo can be. Security clearance delays don’t just put your career on pause—they impact your income, your housing, your reputation, and your future. The good news? You’re not powerless. We’re here to give you clarity, strategies to move forward, and real timelines you can actually plan around in 2025.

This post will break down how long it really takes to get a clearance, what causes delays, and what you can do to speed up the process.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Security Clearance in 2025?

It depends on the level of clearance, the agency involved, and your personal background.

As of 2025, average timelines reported by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) are:

Hypothetical Example:
A recent college grad applying for a Secret clearance at a defense contractor job might complete the process in under three months. But a mid-career executive with international business ties and dual citizenship could wait over a year for a Top Secret clearance with SCI access—even longer if a polygraph is required.

What Slows Things Down?

Even the best-case scenarios are subject to delays. Here are the most common bottlenecks:

• Missing or inaccurate information on your SF-86

• Unreported foreign travel or relationships

• Outstanding financial issues (delinquent debt, bankruptcy)

• Unresolved legal matters or prior arrests

• Mental health disclosures without supporting documentation

• Backlogs at your agency or the DCSA

Agencies are required to follow Executive Order 12968 and SEAD 4 when adjudicating clearances. But they are also under pressure to be thorough—especially for applicants flagged for closer scrutiny.

How to Speed Up the Process

While you can’t skip steps in a federal background investigation, there are proactive things you can do to avoid unnecessary delays:

1. Have Your SF-86 Reviewed Before Submitting

Errors, omissions, or inconsistencies on the SF-86 are the #1 cause of delays and denials. Have an experienced attorney review your form before submitting it to catch red flags early.

2. Organize Supporting Documents in Advance

If you anticipate scrutiny under a specific guideline—like debt, therapy, or foreign ties—gather the documents you’ll need to mitigate the concern now.

3. Prepare for the Interview and Polygraph

Know what questions are coming, and how to answer them honestly and effectively. A single bad interview or failed polygraph can stall the process for months.

4. Respond Quickly to RFIs (Requests for Information)

If investigators reach out for more information, respond quickly and thoroughly.

5. Hire a Lawyer if You Hit a Snag

If you get a Letter of Interrogatory (LOI), Statement of Reasons (SOR), or interview request about adverse information—get help right away. Delays at this stage can be avoided with the right legal guidance.

Our Pricing for Clearance Assistance

At National Security Law Firm, we offer flat-fee pricing so you know exactly what to expect:

We also offer legal financing through Pay Later by Affirm, allowing you to spread payments over 3 to 24 months with no credit impact to check eligibility.

Don’t let cost delay your defense—get the help you need now.

Why Choose National Security Law Firm?

You don’t just need any lawyer—you need one who knows security clearance law inside and out.

Here’s why NSLF is trusted by federal employees, military personnel, and contractors nationwide:

✅ Hundreds of 5-star Google Reviews
✅ Founded by veterans and former federal prosecutors
✅ Deep experience with DCSA, DOHA, CAF, and agency-level adjudication
✅ We’ve helped thousands of clients get through SF-86 issues, interviews, and hearings
✅ Weekly “Attorney Review Board” to develop ironclad legal strategies
✅ Nationwide representation in every state and every service branch
✅ Transparent pricing and fast response times

📣 National Security Law Firm: It’s Our Turn to Fight for You.

Additional Resources

Waiting for your clearance to process? Don’t sit idle. Visit our Security Clearance Practice Area Page to find:

• Common SF-86 mistakes and how to avoid them

• What to do if your clearance is delayed or denied

• Strategies to win your clearance appeal

• Insight on what makes a strong or weak clearance case

• Defense tactics for each adjudicative guideline

Our clearance hub is packed with actionable resources designed to help you get cleared faster—and more confidently.

You Don’t Have to Wait in the Dark

You’ve done everything right—but now you’re stuck in the unknown. Maybe your job is waiting. Maybe your livelihood depends on it. Maybe your dream role is just one final clearance away.

We can help.

Whether you’re just starting your SF-86, waiting in limbo, or dealing with complications, we’ll tell you exactly what to do next to minimize delays and maximize approval.

✨ The consultation is free. The guidance is clear. The relief is real.

👉 Book your free consultation now
The sooner you act, the sooner you can start working, earning, and sleeping soundly again. Let us get you across the finish line.