Guidance

National security vetting: clearance levels

Updated 23 September 2024

The requirement for National Security Vetting (NSV) at any clearance level is set by the departmental authority responsible for the post which the individual will assume. 

Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)

The BPSS is the recognised standard for the pre-employment screening of individuals with access to government assets. Responsibility for completing the BPSS sits with the employing authority. It is not a formal security clearance but its rigorous and consistent application underpins the national security vetting process at CTC, Level 1B, SC and DV.

In addition to BPSS, organisations may conduct further checks (for example health or social media) as part of their recruitment process to meet their independent risk thresholds.

For further information on BPSS go to Government Baseline Personnel Security Standard

Who needs it and what it provides access to

Individuals with any access to government assets require BPSS. This means all civil servants, members of the armed forces, temporary staff in departments, and government contractors. It allows access to:

• UK OFFICIAL information and assets
• Exceptional supervised access to UK SECRET assets following written authorisation from their security team.

What checks are involved

• Identity (ID);
• Right to work (RTW) in the UK;
• Employment history; and
• Criminal record (unspent convictions).

UK residency may affect the checks undertaken.

Accreditation Check (AC)

An AC clearance is normally valid for up to five years, provided the sponsor organisation complies with the ongoing provision of data, as required by aviation security regulations. Where this is not done, an AC clearance is valid for 12 months.

Some elements of the verification may be undertaken by the employer, airport operator or air carrier. Checks are limited to the individual only.

Who needs it and what it provides access to

Individuals who are to be employed in posts which:

• Require an Airport Identification Card or UK air carrier crew identification card which provides unescorted access to the security restricted area of UK airports.
• Provide UK aviation security training.
• Undertake the validation of air cargo security standards overseas for carriage of cargo to the UK.

What checks are involved

Verification of:

• Identity.
• Employment, education and any gaps during at least the preceding five years.
• Unspent criminal record.
• A check against records held by the UK Government or its agencies.

Counter Terrorist Check (CTC)/Level 1B

It is Cabinet Office policy that a CTC or Level 1B clearance must be formally reviewed after 10 years or 5 years for non-Facility Security Clearance (FSC) contractors. The risk owner has the discretion to review a clearance at any time up to that point. They may adopt a policy of issuing shorter clearances to a particular category of employee (for example armed forces reservists; sub-contractors) as mitigation for a lower level of day-to-day personnel security oversight and/or carry out an early review in individual cases where a specific risk has been identified.

Who needs it and what it provides access to

Individuals who are to be employed in posts which:

• involve proximity to public figures assessed to be at particular risk from terrorist attack
• give access to information or material assessed to be of value to terrorists
• involve unescorted access to certain military, civil, industrial or commercial establishments assessed to be at particular risk from terrorist attack.

What checks are involved

• successful completion of the Baseline Personnel Security Standard
• completion, by the individual, of a Security Questionnaire
• a departmental/company records check which might include, for example personal files, staff reports, sick leave returns and security records
• a check of both spent and unspent criminal records
• a check of Security Service records
• if there are any unresolved security concerns about the individual or if recommended by the Security Service, the individual may also be interviewed.

Security Check (SC)

It is Cabinet Office policy that an SC clearance must be formally reviewed after 10 years (7 years for non-FSC contractors). The risk owner has the discretion to review a clearance at any time up to that point. They may adopt a policy of issuing shorter clearances to a particular category of employee (for example armed forces reservists; sub-contractors) as mitigation for a lower level of day-to-day personnel security oversight and/or carry out an early review in individual cases where a specific risk has been identified.

Who needs it and what it provides access to

Individuals who are to be employed in posts which:

• require them to have long-term, frequent and uncontrolled access to SECRET assets and/or occasional, supervised access to TOP SECRET assets

And for individuals who:

• while not in such posts, will be in a position to directly or indirectly bring about the same degree of damage
• will have sufficient knowledge to obtain a comprehensive picture of a SECRET plan, policy or project
• are being considered for employment where it would not be possible to make reasonable career progress without security clearance for access to SECRET assets
• require access to certain levels of classified material originating from another country or international organisation.

What checks are involved

• successful completion of the Baseline Personnel Security Standard
• completion, by the individual, of a security questionnaire
• a departmental/company records check which will include, for example personal files, staff reports, sick leave returns and security records
• a check of both spent and unspent criminal records
• a check of credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
• a check of Security Service records
• exceptionally, if there are any unresolved security concerns about the individual, or if recommended by the Security Service, the individual may also be interviewed
• in the event of any unresolved financial concerns, the individual may also be required to complete a separate financial questionnaire so that a full review of personal finances can be carried out
• checks may extend to third parties included on the security questionnaire.

If you are applying for SC clearance, further information can be found in SC - Guidance Pack for Applicants.

Enhanced Security Check (eSC)

Who needs it and what it provides access to

An Enhanced Security Check, is a supplementary safeguard that allows regular uncontrolled access up to SECRET assets and occasional, controlled access to TOP SECRET assets. It is only used for agreed, specific roles where an additional level of assurance is required over SC, but not to DV level.

Available only to those in specific roles, including the holders of:

• posts in which there is a requirement to access SECRET code word material
• posts that have been designated as requiring eSC because of the level of access they confer to certain specified information systems
• certain overseas posts that have been assessed as exposing the holder to a significant espionage threat and/or have a lower than average level of management oversight.

What checks are involved

• successful completion of the Baseline Personnel Security Standard
• completion, by the individual, of a Security Questionnaire, Financial Questionnaire and Internet Questionnaire
• a departmental/company records check which will include, for example personal files, staff reports, sick leave returns and security records
• a check of both spent and unspent criminal records
• a check of credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
• check of Security Service records
• a detailed interview conducted by a trained Investigating Officer
• checks may extend to third parties included on the security questionnaire
• the full review of personal finances will include an assessment of an individual’s assets, liabilities, income and expenditure both on an individual basis and taking into account the joint position with a spouse or partner.

Developed Vetting (DV)

It is Cabinet Office policy that a DV clearance must be formally reviewed after 7 years (this also applies to non-FSC contractors where effective ongoing personnel security measures are in place). The risk owner has the discretion to review a clearance at any time up to that point. They may adopt a policy of issuing shorter clearances to a particular category of employee (for example; armed forces reservists; sub-contractors) as mitigation for a lower level of day-to-day personnel security oversight and/or carry out an early review in individual cases where a specific risk has been identified.

Who needs it and what it provides access to

Individuals who are to be employed in posts which:

• require them to have frequent and uncontrolled access to TOP SECRET assets or require any access to TOP SECRET codeword material

And for individuals who:

• while not in such posts, will be in a position to directly or indirectly bring about the same degree of damage.
• require frequent and uncontrolled access to Category I nuclear material
• require access to certain levels of classified material originating from another country or international organisation.

What checks are involved

• successful completion of the Baseline Personnel Security Standard
• completion, by the individual, of a DV Security Questionnaire
• a departmental/company records check which will include personal files, staff reports, sick leave returns and security records
• a check of both spent and unspent criminal records
• a check of credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
• a check of Security Service records
• a full review of personal finances
• a detailed interview conducted by a trained Investigating Officer
• further enquiries, including interviews with referees conducted by a trained Investigating Officer
• checks may extend to third parties included on the security questionnaire
• the full review of personal finances will include an assessment of an individual’s assets, liabilities, income and expenditure both on an individual basis and taking into account the joint position with a spouse or partner.

If you are applying for DV clearance, further information can be found in DV - Guidance Pack for Applicants

Developed Vetting (DV) renewal

Who needs it and what it provides access to

If you already hold a DV clearance you will be required to renew your clearance at intervals of no more than 7 years and more frequently if the risk owner has set a shorter validity period. Your sponsor will initiate a DV renewal. This carries the same mandatory checks as a DV clearance but may exclude the referee interview.

What checks are involved

• successful completion of the Baseline Personnel Security Standard
• completion, by the individual, of a DV Security Questionnaire
• a departmental/company records check which will include personal files, staff reports, sick leave returns and security records
• a check of both spent and unspent criminal records
• a check of credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
• a check of Security Service records
• a full review of personal finances
• a detailed interview conducted by a trained Investigating Officer
• further enquiries, including interviews with referees conducted by a trained Investigating Officer
• checks may extend to third parties included on the security questionnaire
• the full review of personal finances will include an assessment of an individual’s assets, liabilities, income and expenditure both on an individual basis and taking into account the joint position with a spouse or partner.

Enhanced Developed Vetting (eDV)

Who needs it and what it provides access to

Enhanced Developed Vetting is required for a very small number of agreed, specific posts where an additional level of assurance is required above DV. It can only be requested by a small number of Sponsors and only with an existing prior agreement with UKSV and the Cabinet Office.

What checks are involved

• completion of a DV Security Questionnaire (including a family and travel element)
• Criminal Record check
• Security Services check
• credit reference check
• financial investigation
• applicant interview
• supervisor interview
• referee interview
• checks may extend to third parties included on the Security Questionnaire
• the full review of personal finances will include an assessment of an individual’s assets, liabilities, income and expenditure both on an individual basis and taking into account the joint position with a spouse or partner.

If you are applying for eDV clearance, further information can be found in eDV - Guidance Pack for Applicants

Your responsibilities as a national security clearance holder

Further information about what is expected of you as an individual holding national security clearance can be found in the HMG Personnel Security Controls and in Aftercare information for holders of national security clearance.