Is your security clearance up to date?
April 14, 2026 – Defence Stories
Estimated read time – 1:29
When was the last time you checked your security clearance? It is essential for accessing Department of National Defence (DND) and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) facilities, information, systems, and classified material. If your clearance is out-of-date, your access could be too — which can delay your daily duties, assignments, postings, and more.
Security screening is a condition of employment or service and it’s your responsibility to ensure your clearance/status and identification remain valid.
Important note
You can only have one active security clearance at a time. When your clearance is out-of-date, it does not automatically downgrade to a lower level (for ex: from Top Secret to Secret).
National Defence Security Orders and Directives Chapter – Standard 4B: Individual Security Screening Program [PDF, 1.5 MB] (Accessible only on the National Defence network)
Caption
Renewal Timelines
Reliability status – 10 years
Secret clearance – 10 years
Top Secret clearance – 5 years
Required Minimum Levels
- DND employees: Reliability status – Authorized
- CAF members: Reliability status – Authorized
*Authorized Protect A & B*
What could be impacted if my security clearance is out-of-date?
- lose access to facilities, systems, or classified material;
- be unable to perform your duties;
- experience delays to postings or job changes.
Check your clearance status today:
- DND employees: Contact your Unit Security Supervisor (USS)
- CAF members: Check Monitor MASS or speak with your USS
Renewal can take time — Start at least 6 months before expiry.
With the new Personnel Security Processing System (PSPS), all updates, upgrades, and new requests begin from the start (including completing a new Personal History Questionnaire).
The process is the same for both military and civilian:
- STEP 1: Contact your USS.
The USS will confirm whether renewal is required and initiate the request. - STEP 2: Receive an invitation email from the Personnel Security Processing System (PSPS).
- STEP 3: Complete the required forms.
More information:
- New directive on Security Screening [PDF, 1.28 MB] came into effect Jan 6, 2025.
- Technical Helpdesk DPSIMPSPSHelpdesk-DSPGISTSPbureaudaide@forces.gc.ca
- Inquiry Line PersonnelSecurity-SecuritePersonnel@forces.gc.ca
To view a variety of security topics, visit the Security Awareness Toolkit, available through the Director General Defence Security (DGDS) intranet page.
Infographic – Text version
Modernizing Security Screening in the Government of Canada
The Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) is rolling out significant updates to the Government of Canada (GC) security screening policy.
Here’s what you need to know — and how it impacts DND/CAF.
Clearer Screening Processes
Standardizing security screening across all departments, making procedures more consistent and transparent.-
Citizenship Requirement for High-Level Clearances
- What’s changing?
Only Canadian citizens will be eligible for Top Secret (TS) and Enhanced Top Secret (ETS). - Current holders who are non-citizens: Can retain their clearance until it expires but must become citizens.
- What’s changing?
-
Additional Checks for TS Clearances
- Mandatory internet searches, law enforcement inquiries, and interviews will be introduced for TS clearances, aligning them with existing ETS requirements.
-
Expanded Polygraph Use
- Polygraph testing may be required for more cases to meet international security agreements and verify other screening activities.
-
Continuous Assurance
- Certain verifications, such as financial, internet, or criminal record checks, will now occur between updates of 5 or 10 (depending on clearance levels).
Updates to reflect these policies coming soon.
+DGDS-Policies@VCDS DGDS@Ottawa-Hull
