What Is the APA Code of Ethics?
The APA Code of Ethics is the set of ethical standards established by the American Polygraph Association governing professional conduct for all APA members. These standards define the moral and professional obligations that polygraph examiners must uphold in every aspect of their practice, from client interactions and examination procedures to data handling, reporting, and professional development.
Compliance with the Code of Ethics is mandatory for all APA members, and violations may result in disciplinary action including formal reprimand, suspension, or expulsion from the association.
Core Ethical Principles
The APA Code of Ethics addresses several fundamental areas of professional conduct:
Informed Consent
Examiners must obtain voluntary, written informed consent from every examinee before conducting a polygraph examination. The consent process must clearly explain the nature of the examination, the examinee’s rights (including the right to stop the test at any time), how results will be used and disclosed, and the voluntary nature of participation. Examination without proper informed consent is a serious ethical violation.
Examiner Competence
Examiners must only conduct examinations for which they are properly trained and qualified. This includes using only validated techniques from the APA-approved list, employing approved scoring methods, and maintaining currency through required continuing education. An examiner who lacks training in a specific testing format (e.g., PCSOT) must not conduct those examinations.
Confidentiality
Examination results and examinee information must be protected and disclosed only to authorised parties as specified in the informed consent agreement. Examiners must maintain secure records and follow applicable privacy laws and regulations. Unauthorised disclosure of polygraph results is both an ethical violation and a potential legal liability.
Conflicts of Interest
Examiners must avoid situations where personal, financial, or professional interests could compromise their objectivity or impartiality. This includes avoiding examinations where the examiner has a personal relationship with the examinee, a financial interest in the outcome, or pressure from a referring party to produce a specific result.
Reporting Integrity
All examination reports must accurately and completely document the examination process, methodology, questions, results, and any admissions or unusual circumstances. Examiners must not falsify, misrepresent, or selectively report results. Diagnostic opinions must be based solely on validated Test Data Analysis methods, not on behavioural impressions or external pressure.
Non-Discrimination
Examiners must not discriminate against examinees on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or any other protected characteristic. All examinees must be treated with dignity, respect, and professionalism regardless of the nature of the examination or the allegations involved.
Ethical Obligations in Specific Contexts
The Code of Ethics includes additional guidance for specific testing contexts:
- Sex offender testing — Requires additional sensitivity, specialised training, and coordination with treatment providers and supervision officers
- Evidentiary testing — Requires strict adherence to validated protocols and awareness of legal implications
- Domestic and private testing — Requires careful handling of emotionally charged situations and clear communication about the limitations of polygraph results
- Trauma-informed practice — Requires awareness of trauma history and appropriate accommodations to prevent re-traumatisation
Enforcement and Accountability
The APA maintains a formal ethics review process for investigating complaints against members. Examinees, clients, colleagues, or other parties who believe an APA member has violated the Code of Ethics may file a formal complaint. The APA’s ethics committee reviews complaints, conducts investigations, and may impose sanctions ranging from counselling and formal reprimand to suspension or permanent expulsion from membership.
This accountability mechanism is one of the key reasons why APA membership is considered the gold standard credential for polygraph examiners — members are subject to professional oversight that non-member examiners may lack.
For more on examiner standards and how to verify credentials, visit the examiner selection guide or the Polygraph Examiner Hub.