# Tier 5 Timeline Question.

**URL:** <https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/tier-5-timeline-question/22262>\
**Category:** SECURITY CLEARANCE Q&A\
**Created:** [October 16, 2026, 12:19am UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/tier-5-timeline-question/22262 "2026-10-16T00:19:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Aerospace\_Dude328](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9f8e36/32.png) [@Aerospace\_Dude328](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/Aerospace_Dude328)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2026, 12:19am UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/tier-5-timeline-question/22262/1 "2026-10-16T00:19:22Z")

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Whats up everyone! About a year ago I submitted my sf86 for an engineering contractor to one of the 3-letter’ers up in Nothern VA. I feel as though my timeline is running long, please share any thoughts. (I started the process fully uncleared, never held or investigated any level of clearance)

Very early October 2025 - paperwork submitted.

Mid November 2025 - Subject interview

Late December 2025 completed ci-poly (Only did it once and never heard anything back so I guess thats a good sign?) \*\* This was the last I heard from anyone on that side.

Around mid April 2026 I reached out to my contractor’s FSO for any updates and they said they saw I was reflected as awaiting assignment to an adjudicator, and “it’ll be many more months”. Mid July I reached out again, and same response. About two weeks ago, reached out once again, and (surprise) same response.

The ONLY red flag I have is a fully disclosed, mitigated, and even dismissed underage drinking charge when I was 20 y/o in college (Now 25). Never been out of the country, no foreign contacts, nothing other than that ticket that was dismissed.

What’re yall’s thoughts?

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**Author:** ![clearedrob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f04885/32.png) [@clearedrob](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/clearedrob)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2026, 2:30am UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/tier-5-timeline-question/22262/2 "2026-10-17T02:30:27Z")

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If it is for TS, expect it to be 18-24 months start to finish.