If folks are curious about "Q clearances" (more appropriately called Q access authorization) I suggest you take a look at this DOE website on departmental secur

If folks are curious about "Q clearances" (more appropriately called Q access authorization) I suggest you take a look at this DOE website on departmental security [1]. It will clear up some of the close to correct information floating around in this thread. Note, one of the very unusual things about a Q is access control for both information AND physical material. << Q: Back up a minute! You just mentioned a "Q" access authorization. What is that and how does it relate to the Top Secret, Secret, and Confidential clearance terminology I'm familiar with? A: Top Secret, Secret, and Confidential security clearances refer back to the level of National Security Information to which an individual may have access. Because DOE is granting access to Restricted Data and special nuclear material, it uses different terminology. Generally speaking, there are two types of access authorizations, the L and the Q. The L access authorization corresponds to the background investigation and administrative determination similar to what is completed by other agencies for Confidential and Secret National Security Information access clearances and the Q access authorization corresponds to the background investigation and administrative determination similar to what is completed by other agencies for a Top Secret National Security Information access clearance. In addition, because RD information is more sensitive than NSI information, access to Secret Restricted Data requires a Q access authorization. >> [1] https://www.energy.gov/ehss/security-policy-guidance-reports/departmental-personnel-security-faqs https://www.energy.gov/ehss/security-policy-guidance-reports...