Because of contradictory correlations between occupational need for achievement (nAch) and locus of control (LOC), this study tested the extrinsic need for job security (nSec) as a moderator of the association. A total of 383 female subjects in two occupations were studied. A high level of nSec externalized internal LOC beliefs associated with a high level of nAch. Depending on occupational group, nSec, or its absence, could also be the sole predictor of LOC, thus also causing the positive correlation between nAch and LOC. In subjects over 50 years old, internal LOC was associated with presence of a high level of nSec. The correlational association between nAch and LOC is limited and misleading because of the contribution of nSec to the association between these two variables.