How to List DOE L Clearance on a Resume (Examples)
DOE L Clearance is one of the clearance lines a GovCon recruiter screens for first. Here is how to write it, where to put it, and how long it stays current.
Updated Oct 21, 2026 · Data: GSA CALC+
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One line you can quote
List a DOE L clearance at the top of your resume as: DOE L Clearance (Active) | Adjudicated 2023. Spell out DOE L and its Secret equivalence.
Hiring tip · Public-safe wording only: level, status, polygraph type, and investigation timing. No program names, sites, or investigation details.
Three correct ways to list it
DOE L Clearance (Active) | Adjudicated 2023DOE L (Secret equivalent) | Active | Adjudicated 2022DOE L Clearance | Active | CurrentWhere to put it on the resume
- Directly under your name and contact info, as the first line a recruiter sees.
- On LinkedIn: the headline or the first line of the About section, level and status only.
- Never in the skills list, the footer, or the last line of the resume.
OPSEC: leave this off the resume
- Program names, codewords, or compartments (SAP/SCI caveats).
- Specific sites, facilities, or geographic details.
- Sponsoring agency, unit, or office designations.
- Anything copied from your SF-86 or investigation paperwork.
- Polygraph questions, topics, or results.
- Investigation case numbers, or reinvestigation dates beyond the adjudication year.
Hiring tip · If you are unsure whether a detail is public-safe, leave it off. A contractor recruiter only needs level, status, polygraph type, and investigation timing.
Currency after separation
A DOE L clearance remains active while you are in a DOE-cleared position with no break in access; it does not automatically transfer to DoD. Reinstatement depends on the agency and how recent the investigation is. Confirm with your DOE FSO or security office.
Common mistakes for this clearance
- Listing it as 'L' only with no context.
- Treating DOE L and DoD Secret as interchangeable; they are separate programs.
- Adding nuclear access or facility detail.
Build your DOE L Clearance line
Prefilled to DOE L Clearance. Adjust the level, status, polygraph, and investigation details, then copy the result directly under your name.
Secret | ActiveSecret (Active)Hiring tip · Add Continuous Vetting only if you are enrolled. It tells a contractor your investigation is current without waiting on a periodic reinvestigation.
Share link encodes only level, status, polygraph, and year. No names or sensitive details.
Questions about this clearance line
Is a DOE L clearance the same as a DoD Secret?
No. A DOE L is the Department of Energy's Secret-equivalent clearance. It is a separate program and does not automatically transfer to DoD. Spell out 'DOE L (Secret equivalent).'
Should I still list DOE L if I am moving to a DoD role?
Yes. It shows prior federal trust determinations and may support reciprocity. Put it at the top, clearly labeled DOE L.
Can I list the nuclear facility or sponsor?
No. Never list facility, sponsor, or nuclear access detail. Level and status only.
Reviewed by the Good to Go team · Last updated 2026-10-21 · Sources: GSA CALC+, O*NET
More about this roleShow
DOE L (Secret equivalent) clearance.
Public-safe wording only: level, status, polygraph type, and investigation timing. Never list program names, sites, sponsors, or compartments. Confirm your current status with your FSO or security office before you write it.
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