FAQ
Do you have to be a U.S. citizen to apply?
Yes. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for NSA employment.
What about dual citizenship?
Individuals who hold dual citizenship are not precluded from applying for positions at NSA. Dual citizenship may raise questions about foreign preference or loyalty, and will need to be resolved before a clearance can be granted. These concerns can vary from case to case and will be addressed on an individual basis.
I am interested in more than one career field. Should I submit a resume for each position that interests me?
You can submit a resume for each position or use the same resume. Your skills/qualifications will be matched against all available openings.
How long will my resume stay on file?
Resumes are kept for six months.
How long is the typical application process?
There is no "typical" application process time; however, an applicant should expect that the process is considerably longer than normally experienced in private industry because every applicant is required to have a Top Secret/Special Intelligence clearance.
What can I expect during the hiring process?
The National Security Agency's hiring process addresses both employment suitability and security reliability issues. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for NSA employment. To obtain the security clearance for NSA employment, applicants must satisfy the criteria found in Executive Order 12968 and Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) Number 704. The hiring process includes, but is not limited to, psychological screening, a polygraph interview (view our polygraph brochure* and video, The Truth About the Polygraph), and an extensive background investigation. Additionally, all applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564. We strongly recommend all responses to questions posed by representatives of the National Security Agency at any time during employment processing be complete, candid and truthful.
What more should I know about security?
NSA is a member of the Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC). We process and adjudicate security clearances based on federal law, executive orders, and DoD and IC directives. Our best word of advice is to be completely candid during the security process. Your cooperation in this regard will help ensure that the process goes more smoothly and quickly. This begins with completing all the security forms accurately and honestly.
How long does a clearance take?
The clearance process can be lengthy. Each applicant is unique in terms of life experience and background. Factors include the location and number of investigative interviews required (i.e., a person with several employers and residences will likely take longer to investigate than a person with only one residence or employer during the period of investigation).
What does a background investigation entail?
The background investigation helps determine the applicant's honesty, trustworthiness, reliability, discretion and unquestioned loyalty to the United States. During the background investigation, previous and current employment, education, and residence are verified; and interviews are conducted with knowledgeable sources, such as friends, neighbors, supervisors and co-workers. In addition, credit and police checks are conducted to ensure the applicant meets the standards for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information. Personal interviews are conducted to review the completed security forms and discuss the topics necessary to help NSA adjudicate the applicant's eligibility for a security clearance.
What can I tell my family and friends about my application process with NSA?
We request that you use discretion when discussing your application for employment. You may tell family members or close friends, otherwise we ask that you simply state that you have applied for a government position with the DoD. We also strongly suggest that you refrain from discussing details of your employment processing on social networking sites. Who can I contact if I have questions regarding the application and hiring process? You may contact the NSA Customer Care line at 1-866-NSA-HIRE (1-866-672-4473) or email customercare@NSA.gov.
Yes. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for NSA employment.
What about dual citizenship?
Individuals who hold dual citizenship are not precluded from applying for positions at NSA. Dual citizenship may raise questions about foreign preference or loyalty, and will need to be resolved before a clearance can be granted. These concerns can vary from case to case and will be addressed on an individual basis.
I am interested in more than one career field. Should I submit a resume for each position that interests me?
You can submit a resume for each position or use the same resume. Your skills/qualifications will be matched against all available openings.
How long will my resume stay on file?
Resumes are kept for six months.
How long is the typical application process?
There is no "typical" application process time; however, an applicant should expect that the process is considerably longer than normally experienced in private industry because every applicant is required to have a Top Secret/Special Intelligence clearance.
What can I expect during the hiring process?
The National Security Agency's hiring process addresses both employment suitability and security reliability issues. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for NSA employment. To obtain the security clearance for NSA employment, applicants must satisfy the criteria found in Executive Order 12968 and Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) Number 704. The hiring process includes, but is not limited to, psychological screening, a polygraph interview (view our polygraph brochure* and video, The Truth About the Polygraph), and an extensive background investigation. Additionally, all applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564. We strongly recommend all responses to questions posed by representatives of the National Security Agency at any time during employment processing be complete, candid and truthful.
What more should I know about security?
NSA is a member of the Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC). We process and adjudicate security clearances based on federal law, executive orders, and DoD and IC directives. Our best word of advice is to be completely candid during the security process. Your cooperation in this regard will help ensure that the process goes more smoothly and quickly. This begins with completing all the security forms accurately and honestly.
How long does a clearance take?
The clearance process can be lengthy. Each applicant is unique in terms of life experience and background. Factors include the location and number of investigative interviews required (i.e., a person with several employers and residences will likely take longer to investigate than a person with only one residence or employer during the period of investigation).
What does a background investigation entail?
The background investigation helps determine the applicant's honesty, trustworthiness, reliability, discretion and unquestioned loyalty to the United States. During the background investigation, previous and current employment, education, and residence are verified; and interviews are conducted with knowledgeable sources, such as friends, neighbors, supervisors and co-workers. In addition, credit and police checks are conducted to ensure the applicant meets the standards for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information. Personal interviews are conducted to review the completed security forms and discuss the topics necessary to help NSA adjudicate the applicant's eligibility for a security clearance.
What can I tell my family and friends about my application process with NSA?
We request that you use discretion when discussing your application for employment. You may tell family members or close friends, otherwise we ask that you simply state that you have applied for a government position with the DoD. We also strongly suggest that you refrain from discussing details of your employment processing on social networking sites. Who can I contact if I have questions regarding the application and hiring process? You may contact the NSA Customer Care line at 1-866-NSA-HIRE (1-866-672-4473) or email customercare@NSA.gov.