Can you get your own security clearance?

No. A personnel security clearance must be sponsored by an employer holding a classified contract or by a government agency — you cannot apply for your own. A facility clearance (FCL) for the company is also sponsored, not self-initiated, and is granted through the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA). For classified work the 'you need a clearance to get the contract, but a contract to get the clearance' catch-22 is real; the solution is to start with unclassified contracts.

What do you need instead of a clearance for most contracts?

For most contracts you need active SAM.gov registration (UEI + CAGE), the right NAICS codes, and a tight capability statement. Some roles require a public trust determination or a basic background check for sensitive-but-unclassified systems — far lighter than a clearance. Certain DoD work requires cybersecurity compliance such as CMMC, which is separate from personnel clearances.

Federal · Security Clearances

Do you need a security clearance to win a federal contract?

By Mansa Gov June 29, 2026 6 min read

Written by the team at Mansa Gov, a SAM.gov-registered small, minority-owned federal contractor (UEI G5CQFNE82EL7).

No — most federal contracts do not require a security clearance. The majority of opportunities, especially for new small businesses, involve unclassified work with no clearance needed. Clearances only apply to contracts involving classified information, and you can't get one on your own — a cleared contract or agency must sponsor you.

Key takeaways

The overwhelming majority of federal spending is unclassified — you can build a federal business without ever touching a clearance.
You can't apply for your own clearance: both personnel and facility clearances must be sponsored.
If a solicitation requires a clearance you don't have, that's a teaming opportunity with a cleared prime — not a dead end.
What you actually need: active SAM.gov registration, the right NAICS codes, and a tight capability statement.

The clearance myth that scares small businesses away

Many new contractors assume federal work means classified, clearance-gated projects. It doesn't. The federal government buys across roughly 1,000 industries — software, professional services, engineering support, facilities, logistics, training — and the overwhelming majority of that spending is unclassified. You can build an entire federal business without ever touching a clearance.

Two kinds of clearance (and why you can't just "get one")

Personnel security clearance — for individuals (Confidential, Secret, Top Secret). You cannot apply for your own. It must be sponsored by an employer holding a classified contract or by a government agency. No sponsor, no clearance.
Facility clearance (FCL) — for the company itself, required when a contract needs you to access or store classified information at your facility. Also sponsored, not self-initiated, and granted through the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA).

The catch-22 people hear about — "you need a clearance to get the contract, but a contract to get the clearance" — is real for classified work. The solution is simple: start with unclassified contracts, which is where you should start anyway.

When you will need a clearance

Defense and intelligence work involving classified materials.
Some contracts requiring access to secure facilities or systems.
Roles explicitly marked as requiring Secret/Top Secret in the solicitation.

If a solicitation requires a clearance you don't have, that's a teaming opportunity — partner with a cleared prime rather than walking away.

What you DO need (instead of a clearance) for most contracts

Active SAM.gov registration (UEI + CAGE).
The right NAICS codes and a tight capability statement.
Sometimes a public trust determination or a basic background check for roles touching sensitive-but-unclassified systems — far lighter than a clearance.
Cybersecurity compliance (e.g., CMMC) for certain DoD work — a separate requirement from personnel clearances.

The practical takeaway

Don't let the clearance question stop you. Filter SAM.gov for unclassified opportunities in your NAICS codes, win past performance there, and pursue cleared work later — with a sponsor — only if your strategy calls for it. Most small businesses never need to.

Keep reading

Want to team with Mansa Gov?

Mansa Gov is a SAM.gov-registered small, minority-owned contractor open to teaming with primes and supporting agencies directly. If you're a prime looking for a reliable subcontractor — or a small business focused on unclassified federal work — reach out.

Contact Mansa Gov

This article is general information, not legal or contracting advice. Clearance and cybersecurity requirements change — verify current rules with the relevant agency, DCSA, and the solicitation before relying on them.