This page is strictly informational. Global Polygraph Network Members do not provide these types of exams, although practice exams are available at some testing locations for those who wish to experience a sample version of the testing process.
These types of exams are only administered to current and prospective U.S. Government employees. The Examiners who administer these exams must be under contract with the applicable Government Agency before the test results can be used for, or by, that Agency.
Types of Polygraph Exams administered by Federal Agencies
COUNTERINTELLIGENCE (CI) POLYGRAPH EXAM
A Counterintelligence Polygraph asks the candidate questions limited to those necessary to determine whether the examinee ever had any involvement with or knowledge of espionage/sabotage against the United States, unauthorized contact with representatives of a foreign government, or unauthorized disclosure of classified material. A Counterintelligence Polygraph is the most common polygraph administered by U.S. Federal agencies.
LIFESTYLE POLYGRAPH EXAM
A Lifestyle Polygraph asks the candidate questions the concern the subject’s personal life and conduct and can involve all aspects of present and past behavior. A Lifestyle Polygraph attempts to look for issues in a person’s private life for which he or she might be susceptible to blackmail or coercion.
FULL SCOPE (FS) POLYGRAPH EXAM
A Full Scope Polygraph is a combination of both the Counterintelligence and Lifestyle polygraphs (see above).
TEST FOR ESPIONAGE AND SABOTAGE (TES)
A type of polygraph designed for U.S. intelligence personnel which is administered periodically to verify that the agent has not provided confidential information to foreign agents or to those not authorized to possess that information.
The Test for Espionage and Sabotage (TES) is a standardized counterintelligence (CI) polygraph examination used by U.S. defense and energy agencies to detect spying, terrorism, and unauthorized disclosure of classified information used for security clearance.
TOP SECRET / SENSITIVE COMPARTMENTED INFORMATION (TS/SCI) POLYGRAPH EXAM
This exam is part of the screening process for a high-level security clearance, needed for accessing classified intelligence sources, methods, and processes. It requires a rigorous, year-long background investigation, U.S. citizenship, polygraphs, and strict “need-to-know” access, often involving work within secure Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIF).
Unites States Government Agencies that use Polygraph
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY (CIA)
At the Central Intelligence Agency, each applicant for a position must undergo a thorough background investigation examining his or her life’s history, character, trustworthiness, reliability, and soundness of judgment, among other personal characteristics. The polygraph is used to check the veracity of this information. The agency also has a security reinvestigation program that includes the use of the polygraph.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (FBI)
At the Federal Bureau of Investigation, each applicant who successfully completes the initial application process, including testing and interviews, is required to successfully complete a polygraph examination before being declared eligible for employment.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD)
Within the Department of Defense (DoD), polygraph examinations used to determine initial eligibility for special assignment or special access are limited to counterintelligence questions.
The DoD CI exam questions cover:
- Espionage
- Sabotage
- Terrorist Activities
- Deliberate damage of U.S. Government Information Systems
- Intentional compromise of U.S. Government Classified Information
- Secret contact with a foreign national or representative
The DoD Lifestyle exam questions cover:
- Involvement in a serious crime
- Personal involvement with illegal drugs during the last seven years
- Deliberate falsification of the security forms
DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY (DIA)
Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) employees may be subject to initial and periodic Counterintelligence Scope Polygraph testing. DIA polygraph examiners use polygraph techniques to aid in determining attempts at deception by individuals involved in personnel security, criminal, fraud, and counterintelligence investigations and operations.
DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION (DEA)
Drug Enforcement Administration special agent applicants and intelligence research specialist applicants must complete a polygraph examination and an exhaustive background investigation. A diversion investigator applicant may be subject to a polygraph examination and an exhaustive background investigation. Not all positions require a polygraph examination.
NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY (NSA)
At the National Security Agency, a security clearance must be granted prior to employment. An applicant is required to undergo extensive preemployment processing, including aptitude testing, an interview with a psychologist, a security interview conducted with the aid of a polygraph, and a personal interview.
SECRET SERVICE
In the Secret Service, to be hired as a Special Agent, and in some other positions, a complete background investigation, which includes in-depth interviews, drug screening, a medical examination, and a polygraph examination, is necessary.
NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE (NRO)
The National Reconnaissance Office employs personnel from within the Department of Defense and the Central Intelligence Agency, whose polygraph testing requirements follow the guidelines of the agency that appointed them.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE)
The U.S. Department of Energy conducts counterintelligence polygraph examinations on individuals who are either applicants for or incumbents in DOE “high-risk” positions that are designated in law and regulation.
A DOE counterintelligence polygraph examination covers six issues:
- Espionage
- Sabotage
- Terrorism
- Unauthorized disclosure of classified information
- Unauthorized contacts with foreign nationals
- Deliberate damage to or malicious misuse of a United States government or defense system
The majority of covered positions involve individuals who have already been hired (including contractor employees), have their clearances, and are being tested to determine whether they should be granted access to particular information. However, all applicants for employment in such “high-risk” positions must also undergo polygraph examinations, as an announced requirement of specific jobs involving access to designated programs.
NAVAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION SERVICE (NCIS)
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service requires an applicant for Special Agent to submit to a urinalysis and a polygraph examination.
This page answers customer questions about the following issues:
- Government Polygraph Testing
- Counterintelligence Polygraph
- Lifestyle Polygraph
- Full Scope Polygraph
- Test for Espionage and Sabotage
- Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information Polygraph
- TS/SCI Polygraph
- Central Intelligence Agency Polygraph
- CIA Polygraph
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Polygraph
- FBI Polygraph
- Department of Defense Polygraph
- DOD Polygraph
- Defense Intelligence Agency Polygraph
- DIA Polygraph
- Drug Enforcement Administration Polygraph
- DEA Polygraph
- National Security Agency Polygraph
- NSA Polygraph
- Secret Service Polygraph
- National Reconnaissance Office Polygraph
- NRO Polygraph
- Department of Energy Polygraph
- DOE Polygraph
- Naval Criminal Investigation Service Polygraph
- NCIS Polygraph