Clearance Level

"Trust the system."

- Phil Coulson

Clearance levels are used by S.H.I.E.L.D. to keep order in their system and protect information that is protected by S.H.I.E.L.D.. An agents clearance level is not based on how long they have been apart of the agency. If an agent dislikes their current position, they usually have the option to degrade themselves.

Level 1
Clearance level 1 has the least access in S.H.I.E.L.D. and agents assigned to this level usually get job technical, maintenance, or secretarial jobs. If an agent has lost the trust of multiple agents for a serious matter, they can be reduced back to level 1.

Notable agents

 * Skye

Level 2
Current information unknown

Level 3
Agents with level 3 access usually get jobs in administration to sort files for S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Melinda May temporarily reduced her self back to this position temporarily because of a traumatic experience from her past.

Level 4
For clearance level 4 and above, agents must be in good physical condition for hand to hand combat.

Level 5
Current information unknown

Level 6
Level 6 agents mainly do espionage and combat. This level usually requires going into battles without full information on the mission. Steve Rogers was given quick access to this level after his endeavors in World War II.

Notable agents

 * Clint Barton/Hawkeye
 * Steve Rogers/Captain America
 * Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow

Level 7
Clearance level 7 agents also specialize in espionage and combat, getting much more of information than level 6, including details on the Battle of New York.
 * Leo Fitz
 * Melinda May
 * Jemma Simmons
 * Grant Ward

Level 8
Clearance level 8 gives agents more access to information that could risk the lives of agents in lower clearance levels.
 * Phil Coulson
 * Victoria Hand
 * Jasper Sitwell

Higher Levels
It is currently unknown what kind of access the higher levels have.