Spread out over months. I never took an assessment. I had a phone interview and then a video interview a few days later. I got hired after 4 weeks. I received my offer letter in mid september and filled out my paperwork, like tax stuff. I didnt start the clearance paperwork until december, met with an investigator the first week of January, and received my invitation to start training in february. So the whole process took 6 months. I have previously held a top secret clearance.