Q:	What is a Security Clearance?
A:	Government Security Policy requires that individuals undergo a personnel screening process if their duties or tasks necessitate access to CLASSIFIED / PROTECTED information and assets. This applies to all positions and to all phases of the contracting process, or when an individual's duties or tasks require access to persons or installations that are deemed to afford regular and consistent access to CLASSIFIED / PROTECTED information and assets. This process usually involves reference inquiries, verification of qualifications, criminal records checks and, as required, credit checks.  Until the required checks are complete, individuals cannot have access to CLASSIFIED / PROTECTED information, assets and/or certain restricted work sites.
Q:	Are there different levels of clearance?
A:	The Associates Group issues security clearances at the Enhanced Reliability and Secret Levels. A Reliability Status is the type of personnel screening which is required for access to protected information/assets or secure sites.  Secret level security clearance is required when working with more sensitive information, for example when doing administration in a minister’s office or working as a security administrator in IT. PWGSC does offer clearances at the basic, enhanced reliability, secret and top secret levels.
Q:	How can I get a Security Clearance?
A:	In order to get clearance at the Enhanced Reliability level, one must be sponsored by either a staffing agency or a Government department.  A minor clearance check is done on the individual. Both the enhanced reliability and secret level clearances last ten years. How long does it take to process a clearance? For Enhanced Reliability, the clearance process can take from one week to three months. For Secret level, the process can take up to six months.
Q:	Is there anything that can delay my clearance?
A:	The main delay for security clearances comes when fingerprints are required. The fingerprint verification process, which is done by the RCMP, can take between three and five months to clear. The clearance process can also be delayed if the candidate has lived outside of Canada in the past five years. In this case address verification can take up to one year.
Q:	Is it possible for non-Canadians to be granted a security clearance?
A:	Yes, they may, provided they have been living in Canada for the past five years. This individual will be issued a clearance with certain access limitations.
Q:	Is there anyway I could ask PWGSC directly about my clearance?
A:	No, unfortunately, PWGSC only authorizes Company Security Officers to make inquiries regarding personnel security clearances.
Q:	Why would I need fingerprints?
A:	In certain situations, the candidates are required to provide fingerprints. They may be required if another person is residing in Canada with the same name AND date of birth. Fingerprints may also be required if the candidate has a criminal record.
Q:	Are there any contracts available that do not require security clearance in the federal government?
A:	Yes, you can work in the federal government without a security clearance. There are certain contracts that do not require clearance check of any kind.
Q:	How can I check my clearance status?
A:	If you would us to check to see what your clearance status is, you can call or email your Associates Group consultant with your date of birth and full legal name. It generally takes 1-2 days to verify your clearance status.
Q:	Will my consultant at The Associates Group notify me when the clearance is processed?
A:	Yes, your consultant will notify you when you clearance comes through to provide you with your clearance number.
Q:	How can I get a copy of my clearance?
A:	To get a copy of your clearance, you have to contact your sponsoring firm to have them request a copy of your clearance certificate for you.
Q:	How is a clearance terminated and what can I do to re-activate?
A:	With many staffing agencies, if you have not worked for that agency in the past year, your clearance may be terminated. If it has been less than two years since your clearance was terminated, the re-activation process is fairly simple. After two years of your clearance being terminated, the process would have to start from scratch with a new clearance all together.