# Having a Security Clearance vs. Being Eligible for a Security Clearance
**URL:** https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/having-a-security-clearance-vs-being-eligible-for-a-security-clearance/3307
**Category:** SECURITY CLEARANCE Q&A
**Created:** [April 3, 2018, 2:25pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/having-a-security-clearance-vs-being-eligible-for-a-security-clearance/3307 "2018-04-03T14:25:54Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Marko](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/Marko)
#### Post date: [April 3, 2018, 2:25pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/having-a-security-clearance-vs-being-eligible-for-a-security-clearance/3307/1 "2018-04-03T14:25:54Z")
Originally published at: [https://www.clearancejobsblog.com/having-a-security-clearance-vs-being-eligible-for-a-security-clearance/](https://www.clearancejobsblog.com/having-a-security-clearance-vs-being-eligible-for-a-security-clearance/)
What is the difference between having a security clearance versus being found eligible for a security clearance? This question has confounded many applicants after they have endured the long and arduous national security background investigation process and were told it was favorably adjudicated. Many who thought they were cleared found out otherwise when applying for…
---
### Author:  [@ptemployee](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/ptemployee)
#### Post date: [April 4, 2018, 10:24am UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/having-a-security-clearance-vs-being-eligible-for-a-security-clearance/3307/2 "2018-04-04T10:24:57Z")
Thank you for shedding some light on this confusing process, Marko.
---
### Author:  [@amberbunny](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/amberbunny)
#### Post date: [April 4, 2018, 12:35pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/having-a-security-clearance-vs-being-eligible-for-a-security-clearance/3307/3 "2018-04-04T12:35:18Z")
Outstanding info for all.
---
### Author:  [@LukeSCIFWalker](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/LukeSCIFWalker)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2018, 4:06pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/having-a-security-clearance-vs-being-eligible-for-a-security-clearance/3307/4 "2018-04-20T16:06:19Z")
So if a job posting says “TS/SCI eligibility required” - this specifically means they are looking for someone that has ALREADY been through the process, i.e. the “long and arduous national security background investigation process and were told it was favorably adjudicated”? Thanks
---
### Author:  [@Marko](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/Marko)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2018, 4:14pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/having-a-security-clearance-vs-being-eligible-for-a-security-clearance/3307/5 "2018-04-20T16:14:18Z")
No, it means you either already have one or can make it through the process to obtain eligibility.
---
### Author:  [@LukeSCIFWalker](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/LukeSCIFWalker)
#### Post date: [April 23, 2018, 5:39pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/having-a-security-clearance-vs-being-eligible-for-a-security-clearance/3307/6 "2018-04-23T17:39:46Z")
Ok great, thank you Marko!
---
### Author:  [@Marko](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/Marko)
#### Post date: [May 15, 2018, 10:32am UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/having-a-security-clearance-vs-being-eligible-for-a-security-clearance/3307/7 "2018-05-15T10:32:17Z")
Just an add on to this topic, ODNI released an SF-312 FAQ that can be found here:
> **[SF312-Frequently-Asked-Questions-Pamphlet.pdf](https://www.dni.gov/files/NCSC/documents/Regulations/SF312-Frequently-Asked-Questions-Pamphlet.pdf)**
>
> 1438.88 KB
---
### Author:  [@EdFarmerIII](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/EdFarmerIII)
#### Post date: [January 29, 2020, 9:23pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/having-a-security-clearance-vs-being-eligible-for-a-security-clearance/3307/9 "2020-01-29T21:23:46Z")
Your situation is unclear and it would have been better to have started a new thread rather than add to the end of this one . . .
Do you have a cleared job right now? If you were investigated and cleared back in 2016 but you never started the job, your investigation has expired and you would have to start over from scratch. That may be the “flag” that you were told about.