Can You Lose Your Security Clearance? Risk Factors That Lead to Revocation

Yes.

Yes. A security clearance is not a permanent credential. It is a conditional eligibility determination based on an ongoing national security risk assessment.

Many professionals assume that once a clearance is granted, it remains valid unless something catastrophic occurs. In reality, the federal government continuously evaluates cleared personnel through background reinvestigations, incident reporting, and Continuous Evaluation programs.pro

When new information raises security concerns, the government can:

• suspend clearance eligibility
• issue investigative questions
• require a written response
• initiate adjudication review
• revoke clearance eligibility entirely

For federal employees, defense contractors, and military personnel, the loss of clearance eligibility can immediately affect employment and career stability.

Understanding why security clearances are lost is the first step toward protecting them.

Readers seeking a broader overview of how the system works should start with the Security Clearance Insiders Resource Hub, which explains the full clearance lifecycle from investigation through adjudication and appeals.

This guide explains the most common reasons clearances are suspended, denied, or revoked, and links to detailed analyses explaining how adjudicators evaluate each risk factor.

How Security Clearances Are Actually Lost

Security clearance eligibility is determined through the Adjudicative Guidelines, which evaluate whether an individual poses an unacceptable national security risk.

Adjudicators apply what is known as the whole-person concept, evaluating:

• reliability
• trustworthiness
• judgment
• honesty
• vulnerability to coercion
• potential exploitation risk

Clearance eligibility can be lost when behavior creates concerns under one or more guidelines.

Common triggers include:

• financial instability
• criminal conduct
• drug use
• alcohol abuse
• foreign influence concerns
• dishonesty during the clearance process
• misuse of government systems
• psychological conditions affecting reliability

These issues typically arise during the security clearance investigation process, during reinvestigations, or through continuous monitoring systems.

If concerns cannot be mitigated, the government may initiate formal adjudication.

The Most Common Reasons People Lose Their Security Clearance

Although many factors can trigger a clearance review, certain issues appear repeatedly in federal clearance cases.

Below are some of the most common risk factors.

Financial Problems

Financial instability is one of the most frequent causes of clearance problems.

Adjudicators are concerned that significant debt or financial distress may create vulnerability to coercion or bribery.

Learn more:

These issues are evaluated under Guideline F – Financial Considerations.

However, financial problems alone do not automatically result in clearance loss. Adjudicators evaluate factors such as:

• whether the debt was beyond the applicant’s control
• whether the individual took responsible action
• whether repayment plans are in place

Foreign Relationships

Foreign contacts are normal in today’s global environment. But certain relationships may raise national security concerns.

These issues are evaluated under Guideline B – Foreign Influence.

Relevant scenarios include:

• extensive foreign contacts
• foreign business relationships
• foreign financial interests
• close family members living abroad

Explore these issues in detail:

Adjudicators focus primarily on coercion risk, not merely the existence of foreign relationships.

Foreign Preference

While foreign contacts are evaluated under Guideline B, certain actions demonstrating preference for another country may raise concerns under Guideline C – Foreign Preference.

Adjudicators evaluate whether an individual has taken actions that suggest divided allegiance between the United States and another country.

Examples may include:

• holding a foreign passport
• exercising foreign citizenship rights
• accepting benefits from a foreign government
• serving in a foreign military

Learn more:

Many Guideline C concerns can be mitigated when individuals demonstrate a clear commitment to the United States and take steps to resolve potential conflicts.

Drug Use and Marijuana

Drug involvement continues to be a major clearance issue despite changing state laws regarding marijuana.

These concerns are evaluated under Guideline H – Drug Involvement and Substance Misuse.

Important articles include:

Even legal marijuana use at the state level can raise clearance concerns because federal law still classifies marijuana as an illegal substance.

Adjudicators examine:

• frequency of use
• recency
• intent to abstain
• credibility of disclosure

Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol-related behavior can raise questions about judgment, reliability, and self-control.

These cases are evaluated under Guideline G – Alcohol Consumption.

Common issues include:

• alcohol dependency
• alcohol-related criminal conduct
• workplace incidents
• treatment history

Learn more:

Adjudicators examine whether the individual has taken meaningful steps to address the issue.

Criminal Conduct

Arrests and criminal activity frequently trigger clearance reviews.

These concerns fall under Guideline J – Criminal Conduct.

Relevant articles include:

Adjudicators consider:

• seriousness of the offense
• recency
• pattern of behavior
• evidence of rehabilitation

Financial Irresponsibility Through Gambling

Financial problems associated with gambling can also trigger serious security clearance concerns.

While gambling itself is not illegal and does not automatically affect clearance eligibility, compulsive or uncontrolled gambling behavior may raise issues under Guideline F – Financial Considerations and sometimes Guideline E – Personal Conduct.

Adjudicators evaluate whether gambling activity has created financial instability or impaired judgment.

Common concerns include:

• compulsive gambling behavior
• large unexplained financial losses
• repeated gambling-related debts
• gambling activity that affects financial stability or reliability

The key issue for adjudicators is whether gambling behavior creates ongoing financial risk or poor decision-making patterns.

Readers can explore this issue further in:

• Can You Lose Your Security Clearance for Gambling Debt?

When evaluating gambling-related financial problems, adjudicators often focus on whether the behavior reflects a temporary financial setback or a pattern of loss of control that could create future security concerns.

Sexual Behavior

Certain forms of sexual behavior can also raise national security concerns when they create potential vulnerability to coercion, exploitation, or blackmail.

These issues are evaluated under Guideline D – Sexual Behavior of the National Security Adjudicative Guidelines.

Importantly, the security clearance system does not judge personal morality. Adjudicators are not concerned with private adult behavior that is lawful and consensual. Instead, the focus is whether the conduct could create security vulnerabilities or evidence of poor judgment.

Examples of situations that may trigger Guideline D concerns include:

• sexual behavior that could create vulnerability to coercion or blackmail
• criminal sexual conduct
• misuse of government systems related to sexual activity
• patterns of behavior that raise concerns about judgment or discretion

In many cases, the real issue is not the behavior itself but whether the conduct was concealed, misrepresented, or associated with other security risks.

Readers can learn more about how these issues are evaluated in:

• Pornography, Sexual Behavior, and Your Security Clearance: Understanding the Implications

Understanding how Guideline D concerns arise helps ensure that private conduct does not unintentionally become a clearance vulnerability.

Mishandling Classified or Protected Information

One of the most serious security clearance concerns involves the improper handling of classified or protected information.

These issues are evaluated under Guideline K – Handling Protected Information.

Security clearance holders are entrusted with access to sensitive national security data. Any behavior suggesting that an individual may improperly handle classified information raises significant concern for adjudicators.

Examples that can trigger Guideline K concerns include:

• removing classified material from secure facilities
• improperly storing sensitive information
• transmitting classified data through unauthorized systems
• failing to follow security protocols for protected materials

Even unintentional mistakes can lead to serious clearance consequences if they demonstrate poor judgment or disregard for security procedures.

Readers can explore this issue further in:

When evaluating these cases, adjudicators typically consider:

• whether the violation was intentional or accidental
• whether the individual self-reported the issue
• whether corrective actions were taken
• whether the behavior suggests a pattern of poor security practices

Because these cases involve the protection of national security information, they are often treated very seriously during clearance adjudication.

Misuse of Government or Employer IT Systems

Security clearance holders are also expected to follow strict rules governing the use of government and employer-owned information technology systems.

These issues are evaluated under Guideline M – Use of Information Technology Systems.

Improper use of IT systems can raise concerns about judgment, reliability, and willingness to follow security policies.

Common issues include:

• accessing prohibited websites on government systems
• installing unauthorized software
• using classified networks improperly
• transferring files outside authorized systems
• violating cybersecurity protocols

Even seemingly minor violations can raise concerns if they demonstrate a disregard for established security procedures.

Readers can explore this issue further in:

• Can You Lose Your Security Clearance for Improper IT Use?

In some cases, misuse of IT systems may also overlap with Guideline K (Handling Protected Information) or Guideline E (Personal Conduct) depending on the circumstances.

Adjudicators evaluate these cases carefully to determine whether the conduct reflects a one-time mistake or a broader pattern of risky behavior.

Honesty and Disclosure Problems

One of the fastest ways to lose a clearance is dishonesty during the clearance process.

Issues often arise during the SF-86 disclosure process.

These cases fall under Guideline E – Personal Conduct.

See:

Adjudicators view dishonesty as a serious credibility issue because the clearance system depends on truthful disclosure.

Mental Health and Psychological Conditions

Mental health treatment does not automatically threaten a security clearance.

In fact, seeking treatment is often viewed positively.

However, certain circumstances may trigger review under Guideline I – Psychological Conditions.

For more detail, see:

• Can You Lose Your Security Clearance for Mental Health Treatment?

Adjudicators evaluate whether a condition affects:

• judgment
• reliability
• impulse control
• decision-making ability

What Happens If Your Security Clearance Is At Risk

When concerns arise, the clearance system typically moves through several stages of review.

This may include:

• investigator follow-up questions
• incident reports or Continuous Evaluation alerts
• Letters of Interrogatory
• Statement of Reasons

If concerns persist, the government may issue formal written allegations known as a Statement of Reasons.

Readers can learn how this process works in the Statement of Reasons response guide.

The SOR process is where many clearance cases are ultimately decided.

Deeper Analysis of Security Clearance Risk Factors

Some security clearance issues cannot be fully explained through a simple yes-or-no answer. While many professionals search questions like “Can you lose your security clearance for debt?” or “Can you lose your clearance for marijuana?”, the real answer often depends on how federal adjudicators evaluate risk under the National Security Adjudicative Guidelines.

Security clearance decisions are not mechanical. Adjudicators apply the whole-person concept, examining patterns of behavior, credibility, mitigation evidence, and whether a concern is likely to recur. The same issue can lead to completely different outcomes depending on how it is evaluated within the broader context of the applicant’s record.

The following resources explore how clearance decision-makers actually analyze some of the most common risk factors that appear in investigations, Statements of Reasons, and clearance hearings.

•Debt and Security Clearances: How Adjudicators Actually Decide Financial Risk
Explains how adjudicators evaluate financial problems under Guideline F, including debt patterns, repayment efforts, and mitigation evidence that can stabilize a clearance case.

• Bankruptcy and Security Clearances: How Adjudicators Evaluate Financial Risk
Breaks down how bankruptcy filings are viewed during clearance adjudication and when they may actually strengthen a mitigation argument.

• Alcohol and Drugs in Security Clearance Applications
A deeper examination of how substance-related issues are analyzed under Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption) and Guideline H (Drug Involvement and Substance Misuse).

• Lack of Candor: Why Disclosure Failures Matter More Than the Underlying Issue
Explains why honesty concerns under Guideline E often become the most serious allegation in clearance cases—even when the underlying issue is relatively minor.

• Mental Health History and Security Clearance
Clarifies how adjudicators evaluate psychological conditions under Guideline I and why seeking treatment is often viewed positively rather than negatively.

• Dual Citizenship and U.S. Security Clearances
Provides an in-depth analysis of foreign preference concerns under Guideline C and when dual citizenship can create adjudicative risk.

These articles provide a more detailed look at how clearance concerns evolve from investigation questions to formal adjudication decisions. They also explain the types of mitigation evidence that adjudicators typically find persuasive.

Professionals seeking a broader understanding of the clearance system can explore additional guidance inside the Security Clearance Insiders Resource Hub, which explains how investigations, adjudications, and clearance hearings actually unfold.

Preventing Security Clearance Problems

Many security clearance issues can be prevented long before they ever appear in a background investigation or adjudication review. In many cases, the difference between an approved clearance and a serious clearance concern is simply whether the issue was addressed early and responsibly.

Federal investigators and adjudicators are not looking for perfect records. They are evaluating whether an individual demonstrates reliability, judgment, and the ability to manage risk responsibly. Proactive steps taken before a reinvestigation or clearance application can significantly reduce the likelihood that an issue escalates into a formal clearance problem.

The following resources provide practical guidance for cleared professionals who want to reduce potential security clearance risks before they become adjudicative concerns.

• How to Clean Up Your Finances Before Applying for Clearance
A practical guide explaining how to resolve debt issues, establish repayment plans, and demonstrate responsible financial behavior before a clearance investigation begins.

• What You Should Know About Filing Taxes and Security Clearance
Explains how tax compliance issues are evaluated under Guideline F and how applicants can resolve outstanding tax obligations before they trigger clearance concerns.

Taking proactive steps early can prevent many issues from ever appearing in a Letter of Interrogatory, Statement of Reasons, or clearance denial proceeding. Understanding how the clearance system evaluates risk allows professionals to make informed decisions that protect both their eligibility and their careers.

For additional resources explaining how the security clearance process works from investigation through adjudication, readers can explore the firm’s comprehensive Security Clearance Insiders Resource Hub.

Why National Security Law Firm Is Different

Security clearance cases are not decided in traditional courtrooms.

They are decided by federal adjudicators and administrative judges applying national security risk analysis.

National Security Law Firm has a structural advantage in these cases because the firm includes professionals who have personally made these decisions inside the federal system.

NSLF attorneys include:

• former security clearance administrative judges
• former clearance adjudicators
• former Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) attorneys

These professionals understand how clearance cases are evaluated from the inside.

Insider Knowledge of the Clearance Decision Process

Clearance cases are evaluated through a structured system that includes:

• investigative records
• credibility assessments
• mitigation evidence
• whole-person analysis

Understanding how adjudicators weigh these factors can dramatically change case strategy.

The Attorney Review Board

National Security Law Firm evaluates complex clearance cases through its Attorney Review Board.

This collaborative model mirrors how federal agencies evaluate clearance cases internally.

Rather than relying on a single attorney, complex cases are reviewed by multiple experienced professionals.

A Niche Practice Focused on National Security Law

Many law firms handle clearance cases as a small part of broader practice areas.

National Security Law Firm focuses specifically on:

• security clearance defense
• national security law
• federal employment issues
• military law

This specialization allows the firm to maintain one of the most comprehensive clearance defense practices in the country.

Security Clearance Insider Knowledge Library

National Security Law Firm maintains an extensive public knowledge base on clearance law inside the Security Clearance Insiders Resource Hub.

This resource library includes detailed guidance on:

• the clearance investigation process
• SF-86 strategy
• Statement of Reasons responses
• DOHA hearings
• clearance appeals

It is designed to help cleared professionals understand how decisions are actually made inside the federal system.

Security Clearance Lawyer Pricing

National Security Law Firm offers transparent flat-fee pricing for clearance matters.

Readers can review security clearance lawyer pricing for common services such as:

• SF-86 reviews
• Letter of Interrogatory responses
• Statement of Reasons defense
• DOHA hearing representation

The firm also offers legal financing through Pay Later by Affirm for clients who prefer flexible payment options.

FAQs About Losing a Security Clearance

Can you lose your security clearance after it is granted?

Yes. Clearances are subject to ongoing monitoring and periodic reinvestigation. New information can trigger suspension or revocation even years after clearance approval.

What is the most common reason people lose security clearances?

Financial issues, drug involvement, criminal conduct, and dishonesty during the clearance process are among the most common reasons.

Does debt automatically cause clearance loss?

No. Adjudicators evaluate whether the debt was responsible, manageable, and being addressed.

Can a DUI cause a clearance revocation?

It can. However, adjudicators evaluate the broader pattern of behavior, including treatment and rehabilitation.

Can marijuana use cost you your clearance?

Yes. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law and may raise concerns under Guideline H.

Do foreign contacts automatically cause clearance denial?

No. Adjudicators focus primarily on potential coercion risk rather than the existence of foreign relationships.

Can mental health treatment affect a clearance?

Treatment alone is not disqualifying. Clearance concerns usually arise only if a condition affects reliability or judgment.

What happens if a clearance investigation raises concerns?

The government may request additional information or issue a Statement of Reasons outlining the concerns.

Can you appeal a clearance revocation?

Yes. Individuals may respond to allegations and may be entitled to hearings or appeals depending on the system involved.

Can you lose your security clearance for violating cybersecurity policies?

Yes. Violations of government or employer cybersecurity policies may raise concerns under Guideline M (Use of Information Technology Systems) and sometimes Guideline K (Handling Protected Information). Adjudicators evaluate whether the conduct reflects a misunderstanding of policies, an isolated mistake, or a pattern of behavior suggesting poor judgment with sensitive systems.

Can a security clearance be suspended without being revoked?

Yes. Agencies frequently suspend clearance eligibility while an investigation or adjudication review is pending. Suspension does not necessarily mean the clearance will ultimately be revoked.

Do all security clearance problems lead to a Statement of Reasons?

No. Many issues are resolved earlier through investigator questions, Letters of Interrogatory, or informal adjudication review.

Can You Lose Your Security Clearance? Speak With a Lawyer

If a security clearance issue has appeared anywhere in your record — investigation, incident report, or Statement of Reasons — early strategy can dramatically affect the outcome.

National Security Law Firm represents clients nationwide in high-stakes security clearance matters.

You can schedule a free consultation to speak with a security clearance lawyer about your situation.

National Security Law Firm also maintains 4.9-star Google reviews from clients across the country.

The Record Controls the Case