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How does being Clear differ from becoming an operating thetan in Scientology?

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Father of Scientology — Scientology L. Ron Hubbard's seminal – and controversial – work was *Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health*, written in 1950.

In Scientology, the terms "Clear" and "Operating Thetan" (OT) represent distinct stages of spiritual progression related to the thetan, or the individual's true spiritual identity.12

Clear: An individual is considered "Clear" when they have been assisted in eliminating their engrams—stored mental images of past traumatic events that exert negative emotional influence and inhibit the thetan's ability to function freely. Achieving this state is a major goal of the Dianetics process, which uses auditing to help members confront and remove these destructive energy clusters.12
Operating Thetan (OT): An Operating Thetan is an individual who has progressed beyond the state of being Clear. An OT is not only free from the influence of engrams but also functions as a fully conscious and capable thetan, operating according to the church's most sacred teachings. While being Clear focuses on the removal of negative influences, the OT levels are concerned with the active realization and exercise of the thetan's inherent spiritual essence and creative abilities.12