Unlicensed Polygraph Examiners on Craigslist & Facebook

How Online Marketplaces Enable Fraud

The proliferation of unlicensed polygraph examiners on online classified platforms represents one of the most significant consumer protection issues facing the polygraph industry today. What was once a profession accessed primarily through law enforcement referrals, attorney recommendations, or professional directories has been disrupted by the ease of posting anonymous advertisements on platforms like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and social media groups.

On any given day, a search for "lie detector test" or "polygraph" on Craigslist in major metropolitan areas will surface multiple advertisements from individuals offering examinations at prices ranging from $75 to $200 — dramatically below the industry standard. According to multiple pricing sources, a lie detector test costs $400 to $1,200 on average, with prices ranging from $200 to $2,000+ depending on location, examiner experience, and test type [1]Verified How Much Does a Lie Detector Test Cost? (2026 Prices)
Confirms a lie detector test costs $400 to $1,200 on average, with prices ranging from $200 to $2,000+. A specific-issue polygraph exam typically costs between $500 and $1,500 when conducted by a qualified professional [2]Verified How Much Does a Polygraph Test Cost?
Confirms specific-issue polygraph exam typically costs between $500 and $1,500. These low-cost advertisements frequently appear in the "services" section alongside legitimate businesses, making it difficult for consumers to distinguish between trained professionals and untrained opportunists.

The problem extends well beyond Craigslist. Facebook groups dedicated to local services, community forums, and Facebook Marketplace itself have become increasingly popular platforms for unlicensed operators. Instagram, TikTok, and other social media platforms also feature accounts promoting polygraph services, sometimes accompanied by misleading content — learn more in our review of TikTok polygraph trends and viral content. Understanding the difference between legitimate and fraudulent operations is critical — fake AI lie detector tests are another growing concern in this space.

Why Low Prices Should Raise Immediate Concerns

The difference between a professionally administered examination and one conducted by an untrained individual is not merely a matter of degree. As early as 1954, Fred Inbau identified the absence of standardized training and professional credentialing as the primary barrier to polygraph legitimacy, proposing a formal academy model to address the problem [3]Verified Academy of Polygraph (Lie-Detector) Examiners, An
Confirms Inbau identified the absence of standardized training as the primary barrier to polygraph legitimacy in 1954. This foundational insight remains profoundly relevant seven decades later.

Prices significantly below $400 for a full examination should raise immediate concerns. The cost of a legitimate polygraph reflects the examiner's substantial investment in professional-grade equipment ($2,000–$20,000 depending on the model) [4]Verified How Much Does a Polygraph Machine Cost
Confirms basic polygraph models start around $2,000–$5,000 with advanced systems costing $10,000+, accredited training ($6,000+ for tuition alone) [5]Verified AIIP Polygraph School – Enrollment & Tuition
Confirms APA-accredited basic examiner course is a 400-hour in-residence curriculum with significant tuition investment, liability insurance, a suitable and controlled testing environment, and ongoing continuing education [6]Verified APA Continuing Education Policy
Confirms practicing examiners must complete minimum 30 continuing education hours every two years. When someone advertises a complete polygraph examination for $100 to $200, it is virtually impossible that they are covering these essential costs while delivering a scientifically valid examination.

As our detailed analysis explains, a polygraph price that seems too good to be true almost always is — and a cheap lie detector test often ends up costing double when the results prove worthless and you must pay for a legitimate retest.

The Science Behind Proper Training

Polygraph testing is a psychophysiological examination that measures involuntary autonomic nervous system responses to structured questioning. The electrodermal response, for instance, is the most robust and informative signal in polygraph testing, driven exclusively by sympathetic nervous system activity and providing the greatest contribution to diagnostic accuracy [7]Verified EDA Primer for Polygraph Examiners
Confirms electrodermal response is the most robust and informative signal in polygraph testing. An untrained operator simply lacks the knowledge to properly collect, interpret, and score these complex physiological signals.

Research has demonstrated that when trained examiners use structured scoring methods, they achieve accuracy rates of 92.4% for deceptive subjects and 95.5% for truthful subjects [8]Verified The Accuracy and Consistency of Polygraph Examiners' Diagnoses
Confirms examiner accuracy of 92.4% for deceptive subjects and 95.5% for truthful subjects using structured scoring methods. However, these impressive results depend entirely on proper training, validated techniques, and scientifically sound scoring systems. An untrained individual using a polygraph instrument is analogous to someone using a stethoscope without medical training — the tool itself cannot compensate for the operator's ignorance.

Furthermore, studies have shown that prior expectations can create statistically significant bias in scoring polygraph charts [9]Verified The effects of prior expectations and outcome knowledge on polygraph examiners' decisions
Confirms prior expectations create statistically significant bias in scoring inconclusive charts but strong physiological evidence overrides bias. However, when examiners conduct complete examinations including pre-test interviews, behavioral information from direct examiner-examinee interaction may counteract confirmation bias [10]Verified The role of prior expectations in polygraph examiners decisions
Confirms behavioral information from pre-test interviews may counteract confirmation bias in complete examinations. These nuanced findings underscore the critical importance of comprehensive training — untrained operators lack the foundational knowledge to manage bias, conduct proper pre-test interviews, or apply the structured protocols that make polygraph testing reliable.

Consequences of Unqualified Testing

The consequences of using an unqualified examiner extend far beyond wasting money. Results from unlicensed examiners carry zero weight in any professional, legal, or therapeutic context. In legal proceedings, polygraph evidence submitted from an unqualified examiner may be challenged and excluded — potentially damaging your attorney's strategy. In sex offender treatment and supervision programs, which often require periodic polygraph monitoring, results from unprofessional examiners will be rejected by supervising authorities.

Beyond the evidentiary issues, an improperly administered test can cause real psychological harm. A false deceptive result from an unqualified operator can destroy relationships, end employment, and create lasting emotional trauma. Conversely, a false truthful result can provide false reassurance that allows genuinely deceptive individuals to avoid accountability.

As Horvath and Peters (2022) warned in their study on polygraph testing practices, improper testing methodologies and lack of professional standards could encourage efforts to prohibit polygraph testing internationally [11]Verified Polygraph Testing and Social Intolerance: A Warning to Examiners Outside of the United States
Warns that improper polygraph testing practices could encourage efforts to prohibit polygraph testing internationally. Every fraudulent operator who damages public trust in polygraph science makes it harder for legitimate professionals to do their work effectively.

Common Characteristics of Fraudulent Listings

Fraudulent polygraph advertisements on Craigslist follow recognizable patterns. Understanding these patterns can help you avoid becoming a victim. Thousands of people fall prey to unqualified examiners every year, paying hard-earned money for worthless results [12]Verified Avoid Lie Detector Testing Fraud/Scams
Confirms thousands of people fall prey to fraudulent polygraph examiners every year and describes common scam tactics.

Typical scam listings share these characteristics: prices dramatically below $400 for a full examination; vague or no mention of the examiner's training school or professional affiliations; promises of quick results in 30 minutes or less (a legitimate examination takes 90 minutes to 3 hours); willingness to test at the client's home, a hotel room, or another unsuitable location; no mention of a written report being included; and advertisements that guarantee specific outcomes or promise to help clients "pass" the test.

In states without licensing requirements — such as California, New York, Florida, Colorado, Connecticut, and New Jersey [13]Verified State Licensing Boards & Associations
Confirms the official list of states with polygraph licensing requirements and identifies states with no license requirement — the problem is particularly acute because anyone can legally advertise polygraph services regardless of training. As one California-based examiner has noted, the lack of licensing requirements means that "anyone can claim to be a professional polygraph examiner" [14]Verified Polygraph Testing Scam Alert
Confirms California has no licensing requirements and anyone can claim to be a professional polygraph examiner. This makes consumer vigilance absolutely essential.

The Bait-and-Switch Tactic

Some fraudulent operators employ a bait-and-switch approach where the examiner who shows up is not the person you booked with, or the advertised service differs substantially from what is delivered. You might book what appears to be a professional polygraph examination only to discover the operator uses a portable polygraph kit that cannot produce valid results, or that the entire "examination" consists of a brief conversation followed by a verbal opinion.

Our detailed guide on polygraph bait-and-switch tactics explains how to recognize and avoid this particular fraud. Similarly, be cautious of operators offering walk-in polygraph services — legitimate examinations require advance scheduling to allow proper case preparation and question formulation.

How Social Media Amplifies the Problem

While Craigslist has long been a platform for fraudulent polygraph advertisements, Facebook Marketplace and social media groups represent a rapidly growing threat. These platforms add a dangerous layer of perceived legitimacy through profile photos, friend connections, community group endorsements, and the ability to collect reviews — which can easily be fabricated.

Fraudulent operators on Facebook often create professional-looking business pages with stock photos, fabricated testimonials, and impressive-sounding credentials. Some claim membership in professional organizations they have never joined or cite training from schools that do not exist or are not accredited by the American Polygraph Association [12]Verified Avoid Lie Detector Testing Fraud/Scams
Confirms thousands of people fall prey to fraudulent polygraph examiners every year and describes common scam tactics. Others may have attended brief introductory courses that fall far short of the minimum 400 hours of in-residence study required by APA-accredited programs [15]Verified APA Accredited Polygraph Training Programs
Confirms APA-accredited programs require minimum 400 hours of in-residence study.

Instagram and TikTok present additional challenges, with viral content sometimes portraying polygraph testing as entertainment rather than a serious scientific examination. This trivialization of the profession makes it easier for unqualified individuals to market themselves to consumers who do not understand the rigor required for a valid examination.

Why Platforms Don't Police These Ads

Online platforms like Craigslist and Facebook are designed as general-purpose marketplaces and do not have the specialized knowledge or regulatory mandate to verify professional credentials for every service category. Polygraph testing represents a small fraction of overall listings, and platforms rely primarily on user reports to identify problematic advertisements.

Craigslist advises users to flag suspicious postings and report scams to the FTC, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, and state Attorneys General offices [16]Verified Craigslist Scam Reporting
Confirms Craigslist advises reporting scams to the FTC, FBI IC3, and state Attorney General offices. Consistent reporting by consumers and industry professionals does lead to removals, but the ease of creating new listings means that fraudulent operators can quickly re-post after removal. This makes consumer education — not platform moderation — the most effective defense against fraud.

The Licensing Landscape Across the United States

Approximately 25 states have specific licensing requirements for polygraph examiners [17]Verified State Regulations and Their Influence on Polygraph Licensing
Confirms approximately 25 states have specific licensing requirements for polygraph examiners. The licensing requirements for polygraph examiners vary significantly from state to state [18]Verified State-by-State Guide to Polygraph Licensing
Confirms licensing requirements vary significantly by state including training, examination, and background check requirements, creating a patchwork of regulation that both protects consumers in some jurisdictions and leaves them vulnerable in others.

States with licensing requirements — including Alabama, Texas, Virginia, Oregon, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and others — typically mandate completion of an APA-accredited training program, passage of a state-administered exam, criminal background checks, and ongoing continuing education [18]Verified State-by-State Guide to Polygraph Licensing
Confirms licensing requirements vary significantly by state including training, examination, and background check requirements. For example, Texas requires completion of a 400-hour polygraph training program accredited by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and passage of the state licensing exam [19]Verified Polygraph Licensing Requirements by State – Texas
Confirms Texas requires a TDLR-approved 400-hour polygraph training program and state licensing exam. Virginia's Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation oversees polygraph examiner licensing with similarly rigorous requirements [20]Verified State-by-State Breakdown – Virginia
Confirms Virginia's Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation oversees polygraph examiner licensing.

Critically, several of the most populous states — including California, New York, Florida, Colorado, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Ohio — do not require a specific polygraph license [13]Verified State Licensing Boards & Associations
Confirms the official list of states with polygraph licensing requirements and identifies states with no license requirement. This means that in these states, virtually anyone can advertise polygraph services without any formal training whatsoever. California's lack of licensing requirements has been specifically cited as enabling unqualified individuals to practice [14]Verified Polygraph Testing Scam Alert
Confirms California has no licensing requirements and anyone can claim to be a professional polygraph examiner.

What Licensing Requires

In states that do require licensing, the typical requirements include: completion of an APA-accredited basic polygraph examiner course consisting of a minimum of 400 hours of in-residence study [15]Verified APA Accredited Polygraph Training Programs
Confirms APA-accredited programs require minimum 400 hours of in-residence study; a supervised internship period with a specified number of examinations conducted under a licensed examiner's oversight; passage of a state-administered written and/or practical examination; a comprehensive criminal background check; proof of liability insurance; and ongoing continuing education.

The APA itself requires practicing examiners to complete a minimum of 30 continuing education hours every two years in coursework related to polygraphy [21]Verified Policy for APA Continuing Education Hours
Confirms practicing examiners must complete minimum 30 continuing education hours every two years in polygraphy. Some states have even more demanding CE requirements — Minnesota's Department of Corrections, for instance, requires 40 continuing education hours every two years for polygraph examiners [22]Verified Minnesota DOC Polygraph Policy
Confirms requirement of 40 continuing education hours every two years for polygraph examiners. These requirements ensure that licensed examiners remain current with evolving techniques, instrumentation, and ethical standards.

For a deeper understanding of state-specific requirements, the Pennsylvania Polygraph Association provides an excellent example of how state organizations maintain professional standards. Our polygraph test costs by state guide also details how licensing requirements affect pricing across different jurisdictions.

Warning Signs Every Consumer Must Know

Identifying an unqualified operator before booking is critical. Here are the ten most common red flags:

1. Price significantly below $400 for a standard single-issue examination. Legitimate specific-issue tests typically cost $500 to $1,500 [2]Verified How Much Does a Polygraph Test Cost?
Confirms specific-issue polygraph exam typically costs between $500 and $1,500, and prices below this range almost certainly indicate cut corners.

2. No verifiable APA membership or state license number. A legitimate examiner should readily provide their license number and APA membership status for independent verification.

3. Claims of training from an unaccredited or non-existent school. Always verify the examiner's training school against the APA's list of accredited programs [15]Verified APA Accredited Polygraph Training Programs
Confirms APA-accredited programs require minimum 400 hours of in-residence study.

4. Willingness to test in homes, hotel rooms, cars, or other unsuitable locations. Professional examinations require a quiet, distraction-free environment to produce valid physiological recordings.

5. Examinations lasting less than 90 minutes. A proper polygraph includes a pre-test interview, chart collection with multiple presentations, and post-test procedures [23]Verified Polygraph Frequently Asked Questions
Confirms APA has consistently supported licensing efforts and typical exam includes pre-test interview, chart collection, and analysis phases. Examinations that take 30-45 minutes are virtually guaranteed to be invalid.

6. No written report included or provided after the examination. A legitimate examiner provides a comprehensive report detailing the examination methodology, questions asked, and findings. Learn exactly what your polygraph report should contain.

7. Guaranteeing a specific outcome or offering to help you "pass." Any examiner who guarantees results is committing fraud — learn more about polygraph examiners guaranteeing outcomes.

8. Accepting only cash with no receipt or documentation. Legitimate examiners provide proper invoicing and accept standard payment methods.

9. No professional liability insurance. Qualified examiners carry professional liability coverage to protect both themselves and their clients.

10. Refusal to provide the polygraph charts (polygrams) for independent review. A professional examiner stands behind their work and should allow chart review by another qualified examiner.

Training and Credentials

A legitimate polygraph examiner must complete a minimum of 400 hours of in-residence study at an APA-accredited training school [15]Verified APA Accredited Polygraph Training Programs
Confirms APA-accredited programs require minimum 400 hours of in-residence study. APA-accredited training covers physiological psychology, polygraphy theory, question formulation, chart interpretation, instrumentation, and ethical standards [24]Verified Main Features of Polygraph Examiners Training
Identifies core elements essential for effective polygraph examiner training programs. The entire process from enrollment to independent practice typically takes one to two years, including internship requirements.

The core training curriculum identified by Larina (2017) encompasses essential elements including the history and evolution of detection of deception, anatomy and physiology of the autonomic nervous system, psychological principles underlying polygraph testing, test question construction, data collection protocols, and both manual and computerized scoring systems [24]Verified Main Features of Polygraph Examiners Training
Identifies core elements essential for effective polygraph examiner training programs. This rigorous preparation stands in stark contrast to fraudulent operators who may be entirely self-taught from books and online materials, or who attended brief unaccredited courses that do not meet professional standards [12]Verified Avoid Lie Detector Testing Fraud/Scams
Confirms thousands of people fall prey to fraudulent polygraph examiners every year and describes common scam tactics.

The role of the polygraph examiner is complex and demanding — it requires years of study and practice to master the interview techniques, physiological signal interpretation, and scoring methodologies that produce reliable results.

Equipment and Scoring Systems

Professional-grade polygraph instruments range from $2,000 for basic models to $20,000 or more for advanced systems like the Stoelting CPS Elite [4]Verified How Much Does a Polygraph Machine Cost
Confirms basic polygraph models start around $2,000–$5,000 with advanced systems costing $10,000+. These instruments record cardiovascular activity, respiratory patterns, and electrodermal activity continuously and simultaneously — as required by both professional standards and the Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 [25]Verified Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988
Confirms EPPA prohibits most private employers from using polygraph tests and establishes examiner qualification requirements.

Legitimate examiners use scientifically validated scoring systems. The most prominent computerized scoring algorithms include PolyScore, developed by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory [26]Verified PolyScore – Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Confirms PolyScore was developed by Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory; OSS-3 (Objective Scoring System version 3), developed by Raymond Nelson, Mark Handler, and Donald Krapohl [27]Verified OSS-3 Computerized Scoring Algorithm
Confirms OSS-3 is a validated computerized scoring algorithm with demonstrable validity across multiple samples; and CPS (Computerized Polygraph System), developed by Scientific Assessment Technologies based on University of Utah research by John Kircher and David Raskin [28]Verified CPS – Computerized Polygraph System
Confirms CPS was developed by Scientific Assessment Technologies based on University of Utah research by Kircher and Raskin. These algorithms have demonstrated accuracy rates of 85–92% under laboratory conditions [29]Verified Modern Algorithms in Polygraph Data Analysis
Confirms OSS-3 and PolyScore demonstrate accuracy rates between 85–92% under laboratory conditions.

Manual scoring using the Empirical Scoring System (ESS) has shown substantial inter-rater reliability, with mean decision agreement reaching 95.4% excluding inconclusive results [30]Verified Reliability of the Empirical Scoring System with expert examiners
Confirms substantial inter-rater agreement with mean decision agreement of 95.4% excluding inconclusive results. Research by Nelson and Krapohl (2011) found no statistically significant differences between the ESS and seven-position evidentiary model across 13 dimensions of criterion accuracy when scored by experienced examiners [31]Verified Criterion Validity of the Empirical Scoring System with experienced examiners
Confirms no statistically significant differences between ESS and seven-position evidentiary model across 13 dimensions of criterion accuracy. In blind chart review, examiners achieved 82% overall accuracy, with 89.3% accuracy for deceptive cases [32]Verified Numerical scoring of polygraph charts: What examiners really do
Confirms examiners achieved 82% overall accuracy in blind chart review with 89.3% for deceptive cases.

Fraudulent operators, by contrast, may use consumer-grade USB devices, outdated analog equipment with non-functional channels, or in some cases no instrument at all — simply fabricating results entirely.

Professional Memberships

The two primary professional organizations in the polygraph field are the American Polygraph Association (APA), established in 1966 with approximately 2,800 members [33]Verified American Polygraph Association – Home
Confirms APA was established in 1966 with 2,800+ members promoting evidence-based scientific methods, and the American Association of Police Polygraphists (AAPP), founded in 1976 as a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing training and technology for law enforcement polygraph examiners [34]Verified American Association of Police Polygraphists (AAPP)
Confirms AAPP was founded in 1976 as a non-profit organization for law enforcement polygraph professionals. The APA sets standards for accredited training programs, ethical practice, and instrumentation, while the AAPP focuses specifically on law enforcement polygraph professionals.

Membership in either organization indicates that the examiner has met minimum professional standards including completion of an accredited training program. The APA promotes the highest standards of professional, ethical and scientific practices through establishment and publication of standards for techniques, instrumentation, analysis, research, training, and continuing education [33]Verified American Polygraph Association – Home
Confirms APA was established in 1966 with 2,800+ members promoting evidence-based scientific methods.

A legitimate examiner should be able to provide verifiable membership in at least one of these organizations. If an examiner cannot demonstrate APA or AAPP membership, it is a significant warning sign — as unqualified examiners are generally not eligible for membership in these organizations [12]Verified Avoid Lie Detector Testing Fraud/Scams
Confirms thousands of people fall prey to fraudulent polygraph examiners every year and describes common scam tactics.

Your Pre-Booking Verification Process

Before booking a polygraph examination with any provider, follow these eight essential verification steps:

Step 1: Ask for the examiner's full name, license number (if applicable), and the name of their APA-accredited training school. A legitimate examiner will provide this information readily and without hesitation.

Step 2: Verify the examiner's state license through the appropriate state licensing board. The APA maintains a comprehensive directory of all state boards on their website (polygraph.org) [13]Verified State Licensing Boards & Associations
Confirms the official list of states with polygraph licensing requirements and identifies states with no license requirement. In states without licensing requirements, proceed to steps 3 and 4.

Step 3: Check the APA's member directory on polygraph.org to confirm current membership. APA membership indicates the examiner has met minimum professional standards and maintains ongoing education requirements.

Step 4: Verify the examiner's training school against the APA's list of accredited programs. If the school is not on the list, the training does not meet professional standards [15]Verified APA Accredited Polygraph Training Programs
Confirms APA-accredited programs require minimum 400 hours of in-residence study.

Step 5: Ask about the examiner's continuing education. The APA requires a minimum of 30 continuing education hours every two years [21]Verified Policy for APA Continuing Education Hours
Confirms practicing examiners must complete minimum 30 continuing education hours every two years in polygraphy. Ask for evidence of recent CE credits.

Step 6: Confirm the examination will take place in a proper office environment — not a home, hotel, vehicle, or other unsuitable location. Learn about the 5 things that contaminate polygraph exam results to understand why environment matters.

Step 7: Confirm the price falls within the expected range of $500 to $1,200 for a standard single-issue test [1]Verified How Much Does a Lie Detector Test Cost? (2026 Prices)
Confirms a lie detector test costs $400 to $1,200 on average, with prices ranging from $200 to $2,000+. Ask what is included — a written report should be standard, not an extra charge.

Step 8: Ask whether the examiner carries professional liability insurance and whether they will provide a written report with polygraph charts. Also confirm they will not allow third parties in the testing room during the examination, which APA regulations prohibit [14]Verified Polygraph Testing Scam Alert
Confirms California has no licensing requirements and anyone can claim to be a professional polygraph examiner.

Legal, Personal, and Professional Fallout

The consequences of using an unqualified polygraph examiner can be severe and far-reaching. In legal contexts, polygraph results from an unqualified examiner will almost certainly be challenged and excluded. If you have used polygraph results to support your position in custody proceedings, criminal defense, or civil litigation, discovering that the examiner was unqualified can devastate your credibility and your case.

In the employment context, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 establishes specific requirements for examiner qualifications and testing procedures [25]Verified Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988
Confirms EPPA prohibits most private employers from using polygraph tests and establishes examiner qualification requirements. An examination that does not comply with EPPA standards can expose employers to civil penalties and give employees grounds for legal action. The EPPA requires that examiners be licensed if required by the state where testing occurs and that they maintain professional liability coverage [25]Verified Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988
Confirms EPPA prohibits most private employers from using polygraph tests and establishes examiner qualification requirements.

In relationship and personal contexts, the damage may be less legally consequential but equally devastating. A false deceptive result from an unqualified operator has ended marriages, destroyed families, and caused lasting emotional harm. Conversely, people who have used unqualified examiners to "prove" their innocence often find that the results carry no weight with the accusing party, their attorney, or any professional who understands what a legitimate examination entails.

Our guide on polygraph scams targeting vulnerable people details how fraudulent operators specifically prey on individuals in emotional distress — people seeking answers about infidelity, family disputes, or allegations against them.

Where to File Complaints

If you have encountered or been victimized by an unqualified polygraph examiner, reporting the fraud protects future consumers and strengthens enforcement efforts. Here is where to file complaints:

State licensing board: If the examiner was operating in a state that requires licensing, report the violation to your state's polygraph licensing board. The APA maintains a current directory of all state licensing boards at polygraph.org [13]Verified State Licensing Boards & Associations
Confirms the official list of states with polygraph licensing requirements and identifies states with no license requirement.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Report fraudulent business practices at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357) [35]Verified Report Fraud – Federal Trade Commission
Confirms the FTC accepts fraud reports at ReportFraud.ftc.gov to protect consumers from scams and bad business practices. The FTC collects fraud reports and uses them to identify patterns of deceptive business practices.

State Attorney General's consumer protection office: Each state maintains a consumer protection division that investigates fraudulent business practices. File a complaint with your state's Attorney General.

The platform hosting the advertisement: Flag the listing on Craigslist, report the business page on Facebook, or report the account on Instagram/TikTok. Consistent reporting does lead to removals [16]Verified Craigslist Scam Reporting
Confirms Craigslist advises reporting scams to the FTC, FBI IC3, and state Attorney General offices.

Professional organizations: Report the individual to the APA and AAPP. While these organizations cannot take legal action against non-members, they maintain awareness of fraudulent operators and can warn the professional community.

Local law enforcement: If you paid money for services that were not delivered as represented, you may be the victim of fraud or theft by deception. Contact your local police department to file a report.

Spotting Fake Certificates and Credentials

Some fraudulent operators go beyond simply claiming qualifications — they produce fake certificates and credentials to support their deception. Our detailed guide on how to spot fake polygraph certificates explains the specific markers of genuine vs. forged credentials.

Always verify credentials through the issuing institution rather than relying solely on documents presented by the examiner. Contact the APA National Office directly at 1-800-APA-8037 to confirm membership status. Cross-reference the examiner's claimed training school with the APA's accredited programs list. If an examiner claims law enforcement background, the AAPP can help verify their affiliation.