Active Clearance Requirement in Job Announcements Leaves Out Qualified Talent Pool

In reviewing numerous job postings across my career field, I’ve noticed that many specify a requirement for an active security clearance. This wording can unintentionally limit the candidate pool, as it often overlooks applicants who previously held a clearance that is now current (inactive) but still eligible for reinstatement under existing reciprocity guidelines.

To clarify:

• An active clearance means the individual currently occupies a position that requires access to classified information, and their eligibility has been verified and is in use.
• A current (inactive) clearance means the person previously held a clearance that was terminated or administratively withdrawn within the past 24 months but could be reinstated without a new investigation.
• An expired clearance refers to one that has been inactive for longer than 24 months, typically requiring a new investigation to regain eligibility.

Many employers assume that all cleared candidates come directly from Department of Defense (DoD) or Intelligence Community (IC) contracts. However, clearances are also held by professionals in other federal agencies and departments. Even for applicants with an active clearance, a new employer must still verify and apply reciprocity before granting access under their own sponsorship.

Given recent federal workforce transitions, including employees who accepted buyouts and subsequently had their clearances withdrawn, a significant number of experienced professionals remain eligible for reinstatement within the 24-month window. Adjusting job postings to reflect this—by stating that applicants with an active clearance or one held within the past 24 months are eligible—would expand the qualified talent pool and align with reciprocity and continuous-evaluation policies.