# Top Reasons for Security Clearance Denials in 2018

**URL:** <https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/top-reasons-for-security-clearance-denials-in-2018/5654>\
**Category:** SECURITY CLEARANCE Q&A\
**Created:** [December 28, 2018, 12:52pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/top-reasons-for-security-clearance-denials-in-2018/5654 "2018-12-28T12:52:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Marko](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/marko/32/103_2.png) [@Marko](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/Marko)\
**Post date:** [December 28, 2018, 12:52pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/top-reasons-for-security-clearance-denials-in-2018/5654/1 "2018-12-28T12:52:30Z")

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It has been quite the tumultuous year in the security clearance realm: the record number of investigations backlog, clearance reform efforts, and the impending transfer of responsibility for investigations from the National Background Investigations Bureau (NBIB) back to the Department of Defense (DoD). As of December 7, 2018 the Defense Office of Hearing and Appeals (DOHA) Board heard 1,844 initial DoD clearance denial appeals.

See the full article originally published here: [https://news.clearancejobs.com/2018/12/20/top-reasons-for-security-clearance-denial-in-2018/](https://news.clearancejobs.com/2018/12/20/top-reasons-for-security-clearance-denial-in-2018/)

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**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:** [January 1, 2019, 8:21pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/top-reasons-for-security-clearance-denials-in-2018/5654/2 "2019-01-01T20:21:57Z")

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So out of the hundreds of thousands of investigations only 1.2k were denied? It seems like a very low number and not much to concern oneself about.

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**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:** [January 3, 2019, 5:14pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/top-reasons-for-security-clearance-denials-in-2018/5654/3 "2019-01-03T17:14:11Z")

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1.8K not 1.2 but that’s only the number appeals processed. Others are denied and never appealed.

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**Author:** ![backgdinvestigator](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/backgdinvestigator/32/209_2.png) [@backgdinvestigator](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/backgdinvestigator)\
**Post date:** [January 4, 2019, 12:43am UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/top-reasons-for-security-clearance-denials-in-2018/5654/4 "2019-01-04T00:43:04Z")

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And only non-military DOD appeals through DOHA.

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**Author:** ![Marko](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/marko/32/103_2.png) [@Marko](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/Marko)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2019, 12:33am UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/top-reasons-for-security-clearance-denials-in-2018/5654/5 "2019-02-02T00:33:25Z")

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This does not reflect the number of denials and appeals from the various Intelligence Community agencies. Their denial and appeal rates are much higher since most applicants are investigated at the TS/SCI level.

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**Author:** ![dave019](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4bbf92/32.png) [@dave019](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/dave019)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2019, 6:06am UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/top-reasons-for-security-clearance-denials-in-2018/5654/6 "2019-02-02T06:06:32Z")

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Make sure your bills are paid when applying for a clearance!