- Go to polygraph school. To become a polygraph examiner, enroll in an accredited polygraph training program. …
- Complete fieldwork or independent study. …
- Get certified. …
- Pass your state’s licensing examination. …
- Complete continuing polygraph examiner training.
The majority of polygraph examiners are required to hold a license or certification from the regulatory body in the country where they work. However, CIA polygraph examiners must be federally certified. Even though federal certification is not required, people can still work for the CIA as polygraph examiners, but once hired, they must complete the program.
How to become a Polygraph (Lie Detector) Examiner, Global Polygraph Network
What does a polygraph examiner do?
While conducting polygraph tests, polygraph examiners also have a number of additional responsibilities. Here are some of a polygraph examiners duties:
What is a polygraph examiner?
Polygraph tests, also known as lie detector tests, are conducted by a polygraph examiner. They frequently administer these tests to witnesses, suspects, and other parties involved in a criminal trial as they are highly skilled and disciplined technicians.
These tests are given by polygraph examiners, who also interpret the results. They seek to ascertain whether a person taking a polygraph exam is being deceptive by applying their understanding of physiology and psychology.
Average salary for a polygraph examiner
While the U. S. Despite not reporting salary data for polygraph examiners, the Bureau of Labor Statistics does provide salary data for forensic science technicians, a group that includes the polygraph examiner profession.
How to become a polygraph examiner
You need the appropriate training and credentials to work as a polygraph examiner. Use these steps to become a polygraph examiner:
1. Go to polygraph school
Enroll in a recognized polygraph training course to learn how to conduct polygraph examinations. Many of these programs are accredited by the American Polygraph Association and can be finished in up to 18 months. Remember that some polygraph institutes demand that you hold an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject, such as psychology, criminal justice, or law enforcement. You may also have to have relevant work experience.
You learn about moral principles, legal concerns, and how to create polygraph test questions in polygraph training programs. Additionally, you learn how to conduct interviews, how to accurately interpret exam results, and how to use polygraph technology and equipment to measure how examinees respond to specific questions.
2. Complete fieldwork or independent study
After finishing your polygraph examiner training, engage in an internship or fieldwork. After completing your coursework, you frequently have one to two years to complete an internship or fieldwork. You get to work under the direction of a polygraph examiner during an internship. A research paper could be substituted for the internship.
3. Get certified
After completing polygraph training, you have the choice to join the American Polygraph Association, though it is not required. Through state or regional polygraph examiners associations, you can apply for certification. The American Polygraph Association has strict requirements that examiners must meet in order to be certified, as the results of a polygraph test frequently depend on the skill of the polygraph examiner.
Additionally, you can take exams with a specific polygraph examination focus. For instance, you could pursue certification as a forensic polygraph examiner for law enforcement or pursue a different kind of testing.
4. Pass your states licensing examination
If your state has licensing requirements, you might need to get a trainee license, finish a certain number of polygraph tests, or finish the internship requirements before you can take the licensing exam.
To assess your level of expertise in this field, the licensure exams typically include a polygraph examination stimulation and a variety of multiple-choice questions. You might also need to participate in an oral interview with a council or advisory board, depending on the state in which you reside.
5. Complete continuing polygraph examiner training
Keep abreast of the most recent procedures to advance your career as a polygraph examiner. Several states demand that you renew your license with ongoing education To maintain your certification if you belong to a professional association, you might need to enroll in continuing education classes.
FAQs about polygraph examiners
Following are some responses to common inquiries about polygraph examiners:
What skills do polygraph examiners need?
Polygraph examiners need a variety of skills to do their jobs well. The following are some of the abilities you’ll need for the job and how you’ll use them:
Since they converse with anxious test subjects, polygraph examiners must have strong communication abilities. Additionally, polygraph examiners use their communication abilities to write reports, testify in court, and collaborate with law enforcement officials.
To determine whether a subject taking a polygraph exam is being truthful or lying, polygraph examiners use their analytical abilities and attention to detail. With the aid of these abilities, they are better equipped to judge the exam results.
When assessing an examinee and their test results, polygraph examiners use their critical thinking skills and best judgment.
Where do polygraph examiners work?
Most polygraph examiners are employed by departments and agencies of criminal justice, intelligence, and law enforcement. They might also work for a private consulting and investigation firm or in a psychology practice.
What are some careers related to the polygraph examiner profession?
Consider becoming a biological technician or a chemist and materials scientist if you’re interested in a related career. Chemists and materials scientists examine the atomic and molecular levels of various substances and observe how they interact with one another while biological technicians perform scientific tests and experiments under the direction of a biologist.
FAQ
Is being a polygraph examiner hard?
Examiners set up test subjects, administer the test, and analyze all of the results. Multiple-hour tests are possible, and handling anxious subjects and effective communication are key aspects of the job. Additionally, you will be required to write reports about the exam results and submit them to your superiors.
Is polygraph examiner a good career?
Job Outlook Compared to the national average for all occupations in the United States, which is 7% growth, this rate of job growth is significantly higher. Polygraph tests are still used by law enforcement and federal criminal investigative agencies as part of their background checks.
What are the qualifications to use the polygraph?
Although a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for most polygraph examiners, employers typically favor applicants with this degree. Political science, communications, criminology, journalism, psychology, and criminal justice are suggested majors for aspirants to become polygraph examiners.
How do you become a CIA polygraph?
They must also hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university. Qualifications to Become a CIA Polygraph Examiner Candidates must have earned, at a minimum, a 3. 0 GPA and have shown interest in working as a polygraph examiner
