Do You Need a Polygraph Examiner License? State-by-State Guide
Polygraph examiners administer lie detector tests for law enforcement, government agencies, and private employers. Some states require polygraph examiners to be licensed, with requirements typically including training, supervised experience, and passing an exam.
Quick Answer
23 of 51 states require a state-level polygraph examiner license or certification.
State-by-State Polygraph Examiner License Requirements
The table below shows whether each state requires a state-level polygraph examiner license, the regulation level (where available), and a link to the relevant licensing authority.
| State | License Required | Regulation Level | Board Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Alaska | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Arizona | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Arkansas | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| California | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Colorado | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Connecticut | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Delaware | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| District of Columbia | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Florida | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Georgia | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Hawaii | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Idaho | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Illinois | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Indiana | ✗ Not Required | — | Visit Board |
| Iowa | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Kansas | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Kentucky | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Louisiana | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Maine | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Maryland | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Massachusetts | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Michigan | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Minnesota | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Mississippi | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Missouri | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Montana | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Nebraska | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Nevada | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| New Hampshire | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| New Jersey | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| New Mexico | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| New York | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| North Carolina | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| North Dakota | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Ohio | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Oklahoma | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Oregon | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Pennsylvania | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Rhode Island | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| South Carolina | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| South Dakota | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Tennessee | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Texas | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Utah | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Vermont | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Virginia | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Washington | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| West Virginia | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Wisconsin | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
| Wyoming | ✗ Not Required | — | — |
What If My State Doesn't Require a License?
Even if your state does not mandate a state-level polygraph examiner license, you may still need to meet local requirements. Many cities and counties impose their own licensing, registration, or permit requirements. Additionally, voluntary certification from professional organizations can enhance your credibility and job prospects. Always check with your local government and relevant professional associations.
How to Get Licensed
If your state requires a polygraph examiner license, requirements typically include completing an approved education or training program, passing an exam, and submitting an application with applicable fees. Specific requirements vary by state — visit your state's licensing board website (linked in the table above) for detailed information on the application process.
Requirements change — always verify with your state's licensing authority.
Check Your State's Requirements
See the full licensing requirements for your state, including fees, education hours, and exams.