What Happens If I Lose My Security Clearance?

Contact Us!

Security clearance is an essential part of maintaining and getting promoted in federal government positions; therefore, losing your security clearance is a big deal. What can you do if you lose your security clearance? Read the rest of this post to find out!

Statement of Reasons

Losing your security clearance happens quickly but finding out why you lost clearance takes time. When you lose clearance, you will receive a Statement of Reasons (SOR) later that explains precisely why you lost your clearance.

Once you receive your SOR, you have three options:

1. You can do nothing, which means your security clearance is revoked (which means you can’t work in government jobs that require a security clearance.)
2. You can create a written rebuttal, which means you will respond to the SOR through written communication and forgo a hearing.
3. You can go to a hearing, which means you will make your case before a Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) Administrative Judge (AJ).

You must respond to the SOR if you want a hearing, as your response tells the DOHA that they must set up a hearing for your case!

Need Help Responding to a SOR?

Correctly responding to a SOR is vital to your case. If you fail to respond, or if your response lacks the evidence needed to mitigate the facts in the SOR, you will lose your clearance. However, our job is to keep that from happening.

Having an experienced attorney on your side can help you think through your response when dealing with a SOR. Our staff is ready to evaluate your SOR, help you respond, and help you create a written rebuttal or fight on your behalf in a DOHA hearing.

We offerconsultations for all potential clients. Call (202) 350-3881 now to talk to an attorney today!