This guidance note is intended for members of the public, solicitors, employers, and other organisations who are considering commissioning a polygraph examination and wish to make an informed choice of examiner. It draws on the BPS Standards of Practice (v1.0, 2026) and Code of Ethics (v1.0, 2026). Full references are listed at Sources below.
Key points
- A competent examiner should hold current APA certification, which confirms graduation from an accredited training programme and ongoing professional standing.[1]
- BPS membership binds an examiner to a published Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, and provides a formal complaints route if something goes wrong.[2]
- Examinations must use evidence-based, validated techniques and last a minimum of 90 minutes, be conducted in person, and be audio/video recorded.[3]
- Fees must never be contingent on the outcome of the test, and must be agreed in writing before the examination begins.[4]
- You can search the BPS directory to find examiners who meet these requirements, and use the Complaints, Discipline and Appeals Procedure if standards are not met.[5]
Why Choosing the Right Examiner Matters
Polygraph examinations involve the collection and interpretation of physiological data during a structured interview. The accuracy and fairness of the process depend heavily on whether the examiner follows validated procedures, uses properly calibrated instrumentation, and conducts the session in a manner that protects the examinee’s rights. An examination conducted by an under-qualified or unethical operator risks producing unreliable results, causing unnecessary distress, or — in the worst case — generating a false report.
Polygraph is not a regulated profession in the United Kingdom in the sense that there is no statutory licensing scheme for private-sector examiners. The statutory polygraph programme in England and Wales — administered by HMPPS under the Offender Management Act 2007 and the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 — applies only to specified offender-management contexts and uses its own trained examiners. Outside that programme, anyone may in principle offer polygraph services, regardless of training or competence. This makes it particularly important for consumers and commissioners to verify an examiner’s credentials before engaging their services.
The BPS exists to promote professional standards among its own members. Membership is voluntary, but those who hold it are bound by the Society’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, and are subject to a formal complaints procedure if they fall short.[6] Choosing an examiner who holds recognised credentials — and who is accountable to a professional body — is one of the most effective steps you can take to protect the quality of the examination.
Qualifications to Check
APA certification
The American Polygraph Association (APA) operates the most widely recognised international certification programme for polygraph examiners. APA certification confirms that the examiner has graduated from an APA-accredited training programme, has passed relevant examinations, and maintains membership in good standing. The BPS Code of Ethics requires its members to hold current APA certification.[7] When approaching an examiner, ask for their APA membership number and verify it independently if necessary.
BPS membership
BPS membership signals that the examiner has met threshold entry requirements — including APA certification, a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, professional references, and professional indemnity insurance — and has agreed to be bound by the Society’s published standards.[8] Members at the Member grade use the post-nominal MBPS; those at Senior Member grade (requiring at least five years’ experience, 500 examinations, and continuing professional development) use SMBPS.[9]
It is important to note that BPS membership binds only the Society’s own members. There are competent examiners in the UK who are not BPS members. Equally, there are individuals offering polygraph services who hold no recognised credentials at all. BPS membership is not the only indicator of quality, but it does provide a transparent framework of accountability.
Professional indemnity insurance
Professional indemnity insurance is a requirement for BPS membership at the Member and Senior Member grades.[10] Any reputable examiner should carry adequate cover. Ask for confirmation of current insurance before you book.
Specialisms
Polygraph is used in a range of settings — including post-conviction sex offender testing (PCSOT), pre-employment screening, corporate investigations, and private or domestic matters. Different contexts require different expertise. The BPS Standards of Practice specify, for example, that an examiner conducting PCSOT must hold a minimum of 40 hours of specialist training in that area.[11] The Code of Ethics also requires members to practise only within the limits of their training.[12] Ask the examiner what types of examination they routinely conduct and whether they hold any relevant specialist training.
Questions to Ask Before Booking
Below is a checklist of questions to put to any examiner before committing to an appointment. A professional examiner should be willing and able to answer all of them clearly.
| Question | What to expect |
|---|---|
| What technique will be used? | The examiner should name a specific, validated technique. Under BPS standards, techniques must meet published validity thresholds (at least significantly better than chance).[14] |
| Will the examination be recorded? | BPS standards require audio/video recording, retained for a minimum of one year.[15] |
| Will I receive a written report? | Yes. BPS standards require a written report.[16] |
| What are your fees, and are they fixed? | Fees must be agreed in writing in advance and must never be contingent on the result.[17] |
| What is your APA membership number? | A certified examiner should provide this promptly. BPS members are required to accurately represent their credentials.[18] |
| Are you listed in the BPS directory? | If the examiner claims BPS membership, you can verify this via the BPS directory. |
| Will you conduct a suitability assessment? | BPS standards require a suitability assessment before testing begins.[19] |
| Will I be shown the questions in advance? | Yes. BPS standards require the examiner to review questions with the examinee before recording begins.[20] |
Key safeguard: informed written consent
Before a polygraph examination begins, the examiner must obtain your informed written consent.[21] This should explain the nature of the test, how the data will be used, and your right to stop at any time. If an examiner does not present a consent form, or pressures you to sign without reading it, treat this as a serious concern. For more on your rights, see Your Rights.
Red Flags
The following indicators should raise immediate concern. Any one of them is sufficient reason to look elsewhere.
Warning signs
- No APA certification. The examiner cannot provide an APA membership number or evidence of graduation from an accredited programme.
- Fee dependent on result. This is explicitly prohibited by the BPS Code of Ethics and is a hallmark of an unethical operator.[22]
- No written report offered. Without a written report, you have no documentary evidence of the examination’s findings or methodology.
- Examination conducted remotely. BPS standards require all examinations to be conducted in person.[23] Remote testing (e.g. via video call) does not allow proper sensor attachment or environmental control.
- No informed consent form. Absence of a written consent process suggests the examiner is not following established professional standards.
- Aggressive questioning about whether you “believe in” the test. A competent examiner explains the process neutrally. The BPS Standards of Practice require neutral conduct during the examination.[24]
- Claims of 100% accuracy. No diagnostic procedure achieves perfect accuracy. The BPS Code of Ethics prohibits overstating reliability and requires inconclusive results to be reported as such.[25]
- Refusal to provide credentials. BPS members are required to accurately represent their membership and credentials on request.[26] The Code of Ethics also prohibits misrepresentation of credentials.[27]
Using the BPS Directory to Find an Examiner
The BPS directory lists examiners who hold the Intern, Member, or Senior Member grades of the Society.[28] Each directory entry confirms the examiner’s grade, post-nominal (MBPS or SMBPS where applicable), and contact details. Using the directory is a straightforward way to identify examiners who have met the Society’s entry requirements.
When you find an examiner through the directory, you can be confident that they are bound by the Society’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, that they hold APA certification, that they carry professional indemnity insurance (at Member and Senior Member level), and that there is a formal route for complaints if the service falls short.[29]
Organisations seeking to commission polygraph services may also find it helpful to consult the BPS guidance on Commissioning a Polygraph, which sets out additional considerations for institutional users.
What to Do If Something Goes Wrong
If you have concerns about the conduct of a BPS member — whether about the examination process, a breach of confidentiality, misrepresentation of credentials, or any other matter covered by the Code of Ethics or Standards of Practice — you may make a formal complaint under the Complaints, Discipline and Appeals Procedure. All classes of BPS membership are subject to this procedure.[30]
Limits of BPS jurisdiction
The BPS complaints procedure applies only to its own members. If the examiner in question is not a BPS member, the Society has no jurisdiction over them. In such cases, you may wish to consider other avenues, such as the APA (if the examiner is APA-certified), trading standards, or legal advice. The statutory polygraph programme administered by HMPPS has its own oversight arrangements and is outside BPS’s remit.
Glossary
- APA
- American Polygraph Association — the principal international professional body for polygraph examiners, which operates accredited training and certification programmes.
- BPS
- British Polygraph Society — an unincorporated UK membership body founded in 2017 that promotes professional standards among its members through a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
- PCSOT
- Post-Conviction Sex Offender Testing — a specialist application of polygraph used in the management and supervision of convicted sex offenders.
- CPD
- Continuing Professional Development — structured learning activities that examiners undertake to maintain and extend their competence. BPS members must complete a minimum of 30 hours every two years.
- DBS
- Disclosure and Barring Service — the UK government body that processes criminal-record checks. A DBS check is required for BPS membership at the Member grade.
- EDA
- Electrodermal Activity — changes in the electrical conductance of the skin, one of the physiological channels recorded during a polygraph examination.
- HMPPS
- His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service — the executive agency that administers the statutory polygraph programme for specified offenders in England and Wales.
- MBPS
- Post-nominal letters denoting a Member of the British Polygraph Society.
- SMBPS
- Post-nominal letters denoting a Senior Member of the British Polygraph Society.
- Validated technique
- A polygraph testing format whose accuracy has been established through peer-reviewed research meeting specified thresholds. BPS Standards of Practice define four threshold levels.
- Contingent fee
- A fee arrangement in which the amount charged depends on the outcome of the test. This practice is prohibited by the BPS Code of Ethics.
- Informed consent
- The process by which an examinee is given a clear explanation of the examination procedure, the use of their data, and their right to withdraw, before agreeing in writing to proceed.
- Professional indemnity insurance
- Insurance that covers a professional against claims arising from errors, omissions, or negligence in the course of their work.
Sources
- British Polygraph Society (2020). Standards of Practice, v1.0. polygraph.org.uk/standards-ethics/standards-of-practice/.
- British Polygraph Society (2020). Code of Ethics, v1.0. polygraph.org.uk/standards-ethics/code-of-ethics/.
- British Polygraph Society (2020). Membership Criteria and Grades, v1.0. polygraph.org.uk/standards-ethics/membership-criteria-grades/.
This guidance note is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. It reflects the standards that apply to BPS members; it does not purport to cover all polygraph practitioners in the United Kingdom. For information about the statutory polygraph programme, contact HMPPS. For legal advice, consult a qualified solicitor. If you have questions about BPS membership or standards, please use the BPS directory or contact the Society directly.