What is an interim clearance?

An interim clearance is defined as a temporary security clearance that is granted while a full background investigation is still in progress. This allows an individual to access classified information or perform duties requiring such access before the completion of the complete clearance process. This practice ensures that needed personnel can start work without unnecessary delays while still maintaining oversight and security considerations.

The concept of interim clearance is significant because it balances the need for timely personnel assignments with the necessity of thorough security vetting. Once the full investigation is concluded, the interim clearance may either be converted to a permanent clearance if all findings are favorable or revoked if any issues arise.

In contrast, a permanent clearance is issued only after all investigations are successfully completed and does not reflect the temporary nature of access that an interim clearance signifies. Interim clearances are not exclusive to contractors nor are they limited to specific types of meetings, making the provided choice the most accurate representation of what an interim clearance entails in personnel security contexts.