Hi everyone,
I completed my NSA poly over two weeks ago and passed, however, I have not heard anything from my company on whether I’m good to go. Does anyone know what the current timeline for adjudication is, roughly?
Thank you!
No fresh information on adjudication timing is available from the intelligence community.
However, on Nov 26, 2024, an ODNI official said it took about 280 days to get clearance (from application to hiring). IC Onboarding New Hires Faster, Cutting Time by Nearly Half – MeriTalk
On Nov 13, 2024, clearancejobs com reported, using DCSA data, that “In the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2024, average security clearance processing times for Top Secret security clearance applicants were 249 days (from initiation to hiring), …These are just DoD/Industry timelines, and reflect the fastest 90% of all applications.”
280 days from application to hiring and 249 days from initiation to hiring are nearly the same. This is because the gap between application and initiation is usually 20-30 days for tests and interviews.
The same DCSA data for FY2026 Q3 is 243 calendar days. The adjudication phase alone took 126 days. So, 2 years ago, DoD and ODNI processing times were very close. The intelligence community cleared its candidates in a similar time frame. Maybe the same is true now. How Long Does It Take to Process a Security Clearance? Q3 2026 FY Update - ClearanceJobs
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You’d think this would take a day or two at most, but no…
It has to be finally and officially ‘adjudicated’ by the polygraph folks who conduct the poly, and then somebody in the higher level polygraph office has to click on a button somewhere to update the record, and then it has to be updated so the security office that deals with contractors can see it…
These are not the exact actual steps but I’m sure they’re pretty close to it. And after 2+ weeks you should be pretty close as well. Please keep us updated.
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Thank you!! That was very helpful and reassuring.
I’m assuming that FSP is not active until I’m adjudicated successfully, correct?
Well, here’s where we argue definitions, or at least start splitting hairs… Once your entire background investigation is finally adjudicated, you can get briefed or “read on,” and then you will have an active clearance. You will also have a polygraph date on record which should be good for 5-7-? years. Depending on where you end up you may need to get access to various types of information, but this will not require additional adjudications… just more waiting.
A new FY2026 Q4 breakdown has been reported: Top Secret adjudication now averages 158 days, compared with 126 days in FY2026 Q3. Security Clearance Process Map · FSOtools
I followed up with my company and they told me the “poly is in review” even though I was told I passed on the spot. Any idea what this could be, or is this just another name for adjudication? Thanks!
Just making its way through what are no doubt several hurdles.