How much do lie detector tests cost?
Probably not the first question that will pop into your mind when looking for credible polygraph exams. After all, passing the test and clearing your name is often the primary objective.
However, the matter of lie detector costs shouldn’t be trivialized. In fact, understanding the average polygraph fees can help sift professional polygraphers from unscrupulous examiners who are out to defraud you.
How much, then, should I pay for a lie detector test?
Read below as we put that question in perspective.
Unveiling the Average Polygraph Cost
The cost of a single-issue polygraph evaluation averages $500 – $900.
But as you shall find, numerous factors will impact the actual amount you pay for a lie detector test. It’s prudent to analyze all the aspects at play before scheduling a polygraph exam.
We must also emphasize that lie detector costs are generally unregulated. While the American Polygraph Association (APA) publishes standards for conducting legally defensible lie detector tests, the agency doesn’t dictate examiner fees.
In fact, the APA expressly states that all polygraph costs are discretionary upon the examiner. The agency advises examinees to contact APA members within their locations and inquire personally about their fees and services.
But that advisory opinion isn’t to be discounted. Although multiple factors impact polygraph costs, choosing an APA-accredited examiner is a critical step towards accessing professional polygraph services.
Factors Impacting Polygraph Costs
1. Test Type
Polygraphs can be single-issue or multiple-issue.
Single-issue exams focus on one incident or topic, such as theft among friends. Such tests can achieve incredible accuracy scores of 90%+, according to the APA.
Meanwhile, multiple-issue polygraph exams cover numerous topics. Immigration screening is a classic example.
As single-issue polygraphs investigate fewer incidents, the tests are typically less intensive. That translates into lower examiner fees.
Note that the $500 – $900 average polygraph cost applies to single-issue exams. The fees for multiple-issue tests may break above this range, particularly if other factors are at play.
2. Test Scope
Besides the number of topics a polygraph exam investigates, the sheer complexity of each incident equally impacts the test’s outcome.
Take fraud investigations and immigration screening, for instance. The former requires a more direct approach.
Provided that you have a suspect list, a fraud investigation polygraph test will focus on shrinking this pool to hunker down on the actual perpetrators. Relevant questions are typically 2 – 3, reducing the scope of background research.
Comparatively, immigration tests require in-depth background digging.
Examiners would spend a longer time trawling massive databases and reviewing multiple documents. And since time is money, screening tests cost more due to their resource-intensiveness.
3. Testing Location
There are two ways to assess polygraph costs based on testing location.
First, lie detector tests are often more affordable in bustling metropolises. That’s because there are usually more certified examiners available, creating greater competition and easier access for clients.
However, costs may increase if you are located in a remote or sparsely populated area where an examiner needs to travel a significant distance. In such cases, the examiner may calculate a transport mark-up (alongside incidentals like accommodation costs) and include it in their quote.
Many professional polygraph services address this by offering mobile testing, where certified examiners travel to the client’s location.
4. Examiner Experience
First off, we must emphasize the significance of working with a professional examiner. Look out for someone who graduated from an APA-accredited school.
Even so, industry experience will still impact polygraph fees.
A polygrapher who has been plying their trade for 10 years will inevitably charge more than a recent graduate.
That’s especially if the examiner possesses relevant competencies, such as detective skills (for law enforcement polygraphs) or therapy skills (for infidelity lie detector tests).
5. Public versus Private Examiners
Public polygraphers often work for public-sector departments, including federal, state, and local entities.
Typical clients include the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and the Department of Defense (DoD).
In contrast, private examiners are independent contractors typically hired on a need basis. These professionals may render their services to public institutions or non-governmental clients.
As private polygraphers are free agents, their fees are often more flexible. These examiners offer a bigger room for negotiation.
For public polygraphs, the contracting government agency plays an instrumental role in determining the test costs. Fees may also vary based on whether an examiner is engaged on a permanent or contract basis.
6. Additional Services Rendered
A polygraph exam is an extensive process that begins with pre-test investigations and continues with post-test interviews. Besides this, some examiners may offer additional services at a fee.
Examples include;
- Video-recording the polygraph session
- Compiling more detailed reports
- Documenting witness testimonies
If you contest a polygraph result and request a retest, you’ll most certainly pay for the retest too.
To avoid hidden fees, always read the fine print before hiring a polygraph examiner.
Leveraging Polygraph Costs in Assessing Examiner Experience
Understanding the average polygraph costs can help you prepare psychologically before scheduling a lie detector test. It lets you allocate resources accordingly, based on the identified examiner’s fees.
More importantly, polygraph cost is a critical metric for gauging examiner experience. Unqualified polygraphers will happily charge rock-bottom fees to lure unsuspecting clients.
Always beware of suspiciously discounted rates. That’s particularly if such are accompanied by ridiculous claims, such as promises of doctoring the results in your favor, shortening the polygraph test, or awarding you a score without taking the exam altogether.
On the flip side, hefty polygraph fees aren’t always indicative of professional examiners. Asking an examiner to qualify their rate cards helps determine if they provide a fair bargain.
