Can I Get A Clearance After Lying on My Resume?

You lied on your resume to get a good job. Now they want you to obtain a clearance. Worried your lies are finally coming to haunt you?

This applicant from the ClearanceJobsBlog is:

I put some fake experiences on my resume to get a job. Out of the different companies I stated on my resume that I worked for only 2 was true. The job required a senior level person who I put my real two projects and few other Made up ones. I did good on the interview and started working for the company. I worked for company for 2 years. Now the company wants me do a top secret clearance. What should I do? If I am truthful on the SF-86 and if the SF-86 requires for me to submit a resume I submit a resume with my real experience and take out anything that was fake. Will I still get caught that I lied originally? Because in the company website I have written 11 years of experience. Will they cross reference my SF-86 to my company website experience stated?

It is possible to obtain a Secret clearance after lying on your resume—but it depends heavily on the circumstances and whether your dishonesty in the application points to other issues with reliability and trustworthiness. Here’s how it typically plays out:

The Lie Itself

If the lie was minor (e.g., exaggerating a job title), it might not be disqualifying—especially if it wasn’t directly related to clearance eligibility or required qualifications. But if the lie involves fraud, forged documents, or false degrees, that’s a more serious issue.

Disclosure Is Key

If you’re honest about the misrepresentation during your SF-86 interview or follow-up with a mitigation explanation, adjudicators may consider:

• The recency of the lie

• Whether it was an isolated incident

• If you’ve since demonstrated integrity

• Whether you self-corrected the information

The Bigger Concern: Trustworthiness

Security clearances are based on trust. A lie on your resume—even if unrelated to national security—raises red flags under the “Personal Conduct” guideline. If they believe you’re prone to deceit, even over small things, it can call your overall reliability into question.

What Helps You Get Cleared Anyway

• Taking responsibility and showing remorse

• Demonstrating a consistent track record of honesty and responsibility since

• No pattern of deceit in other areas (taxes, criminal behavior, etc.)

Yes, it’s possible, but you’ll have to be transparent, take ownership, and show that the behavior is behind you. Clearance reviewers are more interested in your honesty today than your mistake yesterday.

A frequent investigator on the thread notes, “The BI won’t cross reference your resume. I’d start there. Update resume with company. On the SF86 list all real jobs. The thing is though…can the government trust you to not lie? Your company cannot. But you need start clean living now and stick to it.”