(Federal News Network) — It’s time consuming and complicated. But if you need security clearance to do your job for the government or for a government contractors, you’ve got no choice but to go through what it takes to get cleared. One question that comes up a lot: Should I go to my clearance hearing? Joining the Federal Drive with Tom Temin with some advice, attorney Ryan Nerney of Tully Rinckey.
Tom Temin: Mr. Nerney, good to have you with us.
Ryan Nerney: Thanks for having me, Tom.
Tom Temin: I guess the question, should you attend your hearing? Isn’t it mandatory that you have to tell us more about the process maybe and where the hearing fits into security clearance?
Ryan Nerney: Sure. I mean, it depends on the agency that you’re trying to get a clearance with. But no, it’s not mandatory at all. I guess the only way it could potentially be mandatory is, let’s say if you’re a DOD contractor and there’s an attorney on the other side, you request that you want to have a decision on the written record, but the government counsel decides, no, he wants to have a hearing. And at that point he can put in a request to the judge. And at that point it would be mandatory for you to attend. If you don’t attend, then, you know, at that point your clearance would be in severe jeopardy.
