DUI and Your Security Clearance: What to Report and How It Is Judged
Last updated: October 2, 2026
A DUI is a recognized concern in federal clearance adjudication, but it is not an automatic disqualifier. Prompt, honest reporting and a clear record of what you did afterward usually matter most.
Educational information only, not legal advice. Rules change and differ by state, agency, and employer. Confirm against the linked official sources and talk to a licensed attorney about your situation.
- •Federal security clearance decisions use the National Security Adjudicative Guidelines (SEAD 4). Alcohol consumption is its own guideline, and criminal conduct is another.
- •Alcohol-related incidents away from work, such as driving under the influence, are among the conditions listed as potentially raising a concern, whether or not there is a formal diagnosis.
- •A single DUI does not automatically end a clearance. Adjudicators weigh the whole person, including how recent it was, whether it was isolated, and what you have done since.
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- •People who hold a clearance are expected to report certain events to their security office, and a federal reporting directive (SEAD 3) covers arrests. Your agency or contractor may have a shorter or stricter internal timeline.
- •Report to your facility or agency security officer, not just your supervisor. Ask your attorney to help you word a factual, accurate report.
- •Failing to report when required can be treated as a separate concern about candor and reliability, sometimes more serious than the DUI itself.
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- •The Questionnaire for National Security Positions (SF-86) asks about police records and about alcohol use. You must answer fully and truthfully when you apply, update, or are reinvestigated.
- •Omitting or minimizing an arrest on the SF-86 can lead to a false-statement concern. Disclose it even if you believe it will be dismissed.
- •Investigators may interview you and check court records, so expect questions about the facts and your drinking pattern.
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- •The adjudicative guidelines list mitigating factors such as time passing, an isolated incident, acknowledging the problem, and a documented pattern of responsible use or completed treatment.
- •Keep proof of classes, any evaluation, and court compliance. Ask counsel before starting or stopping treatment with the clearance in mind.
- •A person can respond to a statement of reasons and appeal a denial or revocation. Consider an attorney who handles clearance matters.
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- •Military members face additional command reporting rules; see our military guide.
- •Contractors report to their company's facility security officer, who reports to the government under the contract's security rules.
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Where this varies or is uncertain
- •Agency-specific reporting deadlines and procedures differ. Your security officer or agency policy controls, and some agencies are stricter than the federal baseline.
- •Outcomes are decided case by case under a whole-person standard. This page cannot predict an outcome for any individual.
- •The SF-86 and the reporting directive are periodically revised; read the current versions at the linked official sites rather than relying on this summary.
- •Some federal sites block automated link checking, so the DNI and DCSA links should be confirmed periodically for the current document version.
State-Specific Information
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