# Security Clearance denied **URL:** \ **Category:** SECURITY CLEARANCE Q&A\ **Created:** [February 9, 2019, 8:40pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/security-clearance-denied/6091 "2019-02-09T20:40:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![emerald23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f9ae1b/32.png) [@emerald23](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/emerald23)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2019, 8:40pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/security-clearance-denied/6091/1 "2019-02-09T20:40:31Z")
I was recently denied clearance for a state investigative department for a non law enforcement role. I’m devastated because I’ve been through months of testing and interviewing. I was told that the investigator saw a disqualification and did not contact my references. My issue is that I have not been told what that disqualification was and have not received an SOR yet. I read in the paperwork that past single use drug usage is usually not a factor and was completely honest. These are the only possible things I can speculate: I admitted to smoking pot one time in my life in 2017, almost 2 years ago. I also admitted to trying cocaine once in 2016 but that it was a one time deal. I was also terminated from a retail job 8 years ago ( I was 21) for giving a discount to someone. Could any of these be reasons? if so can I appeal? If these are the reasons, can I ever apply for clearance again? ---
**Author:** ![sbusquirrel](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/sbusquirrel/32/34_2.png) [@sbusquirrel](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/sbusquirrel)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2019, 9:03pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/security-clearance-denied/6091/2 "2019-02-09T21:03:39Z")
When you say “state investigative department” I take it you mean this was for a position with a state agency and not the State Department. I’d say at least 99% of the discussion here has to do with federal investigations and determinations of eligibility for federal security clearance and public trust. I suspect that the policies differ widely once you start talking about any of the 50 states. Some people have had luck working with attorneys, maybe there is a law practice in your state’s capitol that could take on the case. ---
**Author:** ![emerald23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f9ae1b/32.png) [@emerald23](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/emerald23)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2019, 3:47am UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/security-clearance-denied/6091/3 "2019-02-10T03:47:18Z")
You’re right I goofed, looked into my paperwork and it was actually a Peace Officer level background check (POST) that I failed. I was told thereafter Id have to take a Secret clearance. I know with police checks they don’t have to necessarily send a SOR so I might be screwed. But if I ever go for federal clearance would I have to disclose this? I may never know the reason why. ---
**Author:** ![ipsecmerlin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/ipsecmerlin/32/653_2.png) [@ipsecmerlin](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/ipsecmerlin)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2019, 3:47am UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/security-clearance-denied/6091/4 "2019-02-10T03:47:22Z")
100 percent sure that your use of Hard Drugs is what did you in. ---
**Author:** ![emerald23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f9ae1b/32.png) [@emerald23](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/emerald23)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2019, 8:31pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/security-clearance-denied/6091/5 "2019-02-10T20:31:27Z")
Understandable but I’ve also known people who have passed and did worse/ more things. is it because of the timing? ---
**Author:** ![ipsecmerlin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/ipsecmerlin/32/653_2.png) [@ipsecmerlin](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/ipsecmerlin)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 10:29am UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/security-clearance-denied/6091/6 "2019-02-11T10:29:47Z")
NO, not the timing, coke is a serious drug and most agencies that have a PO POST check will not hire you. As I have stated before illegal use of drugs not only affects the user but society as a whole. More and more agencies are going to deny an clearance to former illegal drug users. ---
**Author:** ![EdFarmerIII](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/edfarmeriii/32/122_2.png) [@EdFarmerIII](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/EdFarmerIII)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 3:47pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/security-clearance-denied/6091/7 "2019-02-11T15:47:11Z")
It’s a combination of the recency, the particular drug and your age at the time of use. You are now 29 years old. That puts your drug use past your mid-20’s, well out of “college or youthful experimentation” AND only two years in the past. This shows poor judgement as an adult and you are trying to get cleared for a law enforcement agency. ---
**Author:** ![amberbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e47774/32.png) [@amberbunny](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/amberbunny)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 10:09pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/security-clearance-denied/6091/8 "2019-02-13T22:09:51Z")
My ex spouse answered truthfully about one time use of a hard drug (acid) at age 17. She applied for a law enforcement position at age 43. She was denied. They too require a poly and compassionately explained it would be revealed during the Poly and disqualify her there as well…