Cleared career mobility guide
Does a security clearance transfer to a new job? Reciprocity explained
People often call this a clearance “transfer,” but the useful question is whether the receiving organization can recognize your existing investigation and eligibility, then grant the access its position requires. A clearance is not a credential that an employer hands to the next employer.
Reviewed July 13, 2026. Process references come from DCSA and ODNI; current job counts update from approved direct-employer listings.
The short answer
An existing final eligibility determination can often be recognized through reciprocity when you move to another cleared position. The receiving employer or agency's security office must verify the record, establish the appropriate relationship, determine whether the investigation and adjudication satisfy the new need, and grant only the access required for the new work. A recruiter, candidate, or former employer cannot complete that determination alone.
Eligibility, access, and employment are separate decisions
Eligibility
Access
Employment
What usually happens after you accept a new cleared role
The new organization identifies the access need
The position and contract determine the required eligibility level and any SCI, special-access, or polygraph conditions. A previous title or clearance badge does not set the new requirement.
Its security office verifies your record
For DoD personnel and contractors, an authorized security manager or Facility Security Officer uses DISS and the appropriate government workflow. Other agencies may use their own authoritative systems and procedures.
The receiving authority evaluates reciprocity
The security office checks whether an existing investigation and final adjudication can be accepted for the new need. It may submit a reciprocity request when the record comes from another agency.
The organization establishes access
If the record is accepted and the position requires access, the receiving organization completes its relationship, briefing, nondisclosure, and access steps. Additional processing may still be necessary for a different level or program.
When more processing may be required
The new role requires a higher level
The role adds SCI, SAP, or polygraph conditions
The prior decision was interim or conditional
The authoritative record needs resolution
Current Colorado jobs requiring an active clearance
Cleared Colorado currently has 532 direct-employer listings that explicitly require an active Secret-or-higher clearance, across 13 employers. This is current site inventory—not a judgment that any applicant's eligibility will be accepted for a specific role.
Recently found active-clearance openings
$86,800 - $165,200
$132,400 - $251,600
$107,500 - $204,500
$107,500 - $204,500
$103,600 - $155,400
What changed in continuous vetting in 2026
DCSA reported that DISS release 14.5 introduced a 45-day grace period after a person loses affiliation with a Security Management Office. If a new organization does not establish a relationship during that period, the DISS continuous-vetting status changes to “unenrolled.” DCSA also states that this status change does not by itself alter eligibility unless unresolved derogatory information must be addressed.
That is a DoD-system enrollment rule, not a universal promise that every clearance transfers within 45 days or expires on day 46. Ask the receiving security office to evaluate the current authoritative record and the new position's requirements.
Review DCSA's May 2026 continuous-vetting update ↗A practical job-change checklist
- Read the posting literally: confirm the stated level, active-versus-obtainable timing, SCI or SAP access, polygraph, citizenship, and workplace requirements.
- Tell the recruiter the level you believe you hold: do not send sensitive identifying information or treat a self-reported status as verification.
- Ask who owns security onboarding: the receiving security manager or FSO—not the old employer and not Cleared Colorado—must verify the authoritative record.
- Do not rely on a DISS screenshot: DCSA says security officers should not provide DISS printouts; authorized users verify eligibility through the system.
- Keep applying until requirements are confirmed: reciprocity policy does not guarantee program access, an offer, or a start date.
Watch for the next compatible opening
Save an accountless Colorado alert by held clearance, workplace, employer, or polygraph. A message is sent only when a newly eligible direct-employer listing matches.