The answer to the above question depends on what type of security clearance you’re talking about.
In the Department of Energy’s Request for Proposals for the contract to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science & Education, would-be bidders are given information to estimate the number and cost of security clearances.
According to the chart, DOE estimates that in Fiscal Year 2015 the cost of an initial Office of Personnel Management investigation for a top-secret “Q” clearance is $4,600. The cost of an OPM investigation for an “L” or limited clearance is $400. The cost of an investigation for a PIV or personal identity verification is $180.
An OPM reinvestigation for a Q clearance is estimated at $3,300. The cost of reinvestigation for an L clearance is placed at $400 (same as the initial one).
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