Guidance

United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels

List of national security vetting clearance levels with guidance on who needs it and what checks are completed.

From:
United Kingdom Security Vetting
Published
12 February 2020
Last updated
222 December 20222023 — See all updates

Documents

National security vetting: clearance levels

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Wellbeing support for national security vetting applicants

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Details

There are 5 main levels of national security vetting;

  • Accreditation Check (AC)
  • Counter Terrorist Check (CTC)
  • Level 1B
  • Security Check (SC)
  • Developed Vetting (DV)

CTC and above also requires the successful completion of the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS).This document provides further information on the levels of clearance, who needs clearance and what checks are carried out.

Published 12 February 2020
Last updated 222 December 20222023 + show all updates

  1. Wellbeing support information for vetting applicants added

  2. Updated to include Level 1B clearance

  3. Guidance updated to reflect introduction of the Accreditation Check (AC) as a national security clearance in Jan 2022.