Louisiana PCSOT Requirements for Sex Offenders

How Louisiana Authorizes Polygraph Testing for Sex Offenders

Louisiana has established a robust statutory framework that authorizes truth verification examinations — including polygraph testing — as a key supervision tool for convicted sex offenders in the community. Unlike some states that mandate polygraph testing for all sex offenders, Louisiana provides courts and the parole committee with discretionary authority to order these examinations when certain conditions are met [1]Verified Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 895 — Conditions of Probation
Confirms Louisiana authorizes truth verification examinations for sex offenders on probation under specific conditions.

The state's approach to post-conviction sex offender testing (PCSOT) is governed by three primary legal provisions. Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 895 addresses probation conditions and authorizes truth verification examinations for sex offenders whose offenses involved minors [2]Verified Louisiana Revised Statutes § 15:538 — Conditions of Probation, Parole, and Suspension or Diminution of Sentence
Confirms sex offender conditions for probation, parole, and sentence suspension including contact restrictions and treatment requirements. Louisiana Revised Statutes 15:538 establishes broad conditions for probation, parole, and sentence suspension for all sex offenders [3]Verified Louisiana Revised Statutes § 15:574.4.3 — Parole Requirements for Certain Sex Offenders
Confirms parole committee authority to order truth verification examinations for sex offenders and limitations on use of results. Louisiana Revised Statutes 15:574.4.3 specifically governs parole requirements for sex offenders, including the use of truth verification examinations [4]Verified Louisiana Revised Statutes § 37:2838 — Polygraphist's Certification Qualifications
Confirms Louisiana polygraph examiner licensing requirements including 270-hour course and six-month internship.

Louisiana defines a "truth verification examination" broadly to include both a traditional polygraph examination and voice stress analysis [5]Verified Louisiana Revised Statutes § 37:2837 — Unauthorized Practice
Confirms it is unlawful to administer polygraph in Louisiana without board certification. A polygraph examination is defined as an examination conducted with an instrument that simultaneously records cardiovascular pressure, pulse, respiration, and variations in electrical resistance of the skin [6]Verified State Licensing Boards & Associations — American Polygraph Association
Confirms Louisiana Polygraph Board contact information and location. Voice stress analysis is defined as an examination using an instrument that records psychophysiological stress responses present in the human voice [7]Verified Federal & State Regulations: EPPA — Louisiana
Confirms Louisiana polygraph examiner licensing requirements and instrument standards. This dual-method approach gives Louisiana authorities flexibility in choosing the appropriate testing modality.

This framework reflects the national trend toward using polygraph testing as part of the containment model for sex offender supervision. Research from the National Institute of Justice confirmed that the containment approach — which includes the use of the polygraph — is an effective model for managing convicted adult sex offenders in the community [8]Verified Polygraph Plays a Key Role as a Containment Tool for Convicted Sex Offenders in the Community
Confirms NIJ findings that the containment approach with polygraph is effective for sex offender management. Louisiana was among the states studied during the development of the containment approach by researchers at the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice [9]Verified Value of Polygraph Testing in Sex Offender Management
Confirms Louisiana was studied as part of containment approach research; confirms field research findings on polygraph utility.

Code of Criminal Procedure Article 895: Probation Conditions

Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 895 establishes the conditions that courts may impose when placing a defendant on probation. Section I of this article specifically addresses sex offenders convicted of offenses involving minors [2]Verified Louisiana Revised Statutes § 15:538 — Conditions of Probation, Parole, and Suspension or Diminution of Sentence
Confirms sex offender conditions for probation, parole, and sentence suspension including contact restrictions and treatment requirements.

Under Article 895(I)(1), the court may authorize truth verification examinations as an additional condition of probation when the defendant has been convicted of a sex offense as defined in RS 15:541 and the victim is a minor, provided the Department of Public Safety and Corrections has the equipment and appropriately trained personnel [2]Verified Louisiana Revised Statutes § 15:538 — Conditions of Probation, Parole, and Suspension or Diminution of Sentence
Confirms sex offender conditions for probation, parole, and sentence suspension including contact restrictions and treatment requirements. The examination must follow an allegation that the offender has violated a condition of probation, or the probation officer must have reason to believe a violation occurred [10]Verified APA Model Policy for Post-Conviction Sex Offender Testing (2021)
Confirms APA model policy guidelines for PCSOT including four exam types and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Article 895(K) also mandates that defendants convicted of offenses involving criminal sexual activity must successfully complete a sex offender treatment program as a condition of probation [11]Verified Louisiana RS 15:560.2 — Louisiana Sex Offender Assessment Panel
Confirms the creation and duties of the Louisiana Sex Offender Assessment Panel. As part of this program, the offender must participate with a victim impact panel or program [11]Verified Louisiana RS 15:560.2 — Louisiana Sex Offender Assessment Panel
Confirms the creation and duties of the Louisiana Sex Offender Assessment Panel. This treatment requirement creates a natural framework for integrating PCSOT polygraph examinations into supervision.

The truth verification examination must be conducted by a trained and certified polygraphist or voice stress examiner [12]Verified Chapter 8: Sex Offender Management Strategies — SMART
Confirms containment approach research including Colorado study on lower recidivism rates with specialized supervision. Results may be considered in determining the level of supervision and treatment needed, and in assessing whether the defendant has violated probation conditions [13]Verified The Containment Approach to Managing Defendants — U.S. Courts
Confirms polygraph examinations are an effective treatment tool and the containment approach principles. However, the statute expressly provides that results shall not be used as evidence in court to prove that a violation has occurred [13]Verified The Containment Approach to Managing Defendants — U.S. Courts
Confirms polygraph examinations are an effective treatment tool and the containment approach principles.

RS 15:538: Conditions of Probation, Parole, and Sentence Suspension

Louisiana Revised Statutes 15:538 establishes mandatory conditions for sex offenders on probation, parole, or suspended sentences. This statute imposes significant restrictions and requirements that apply alongside any truth verification testing [3]Verified Louisiana Revised Statutes § 15:574.4.3 — Parole Requirements for Certain Sex Offenders
Confirms parole committee authority to order truth verification examinations for sex offenders and limitations on use of results.

Under RS 15:538(A), no sexual offender whose offense involved a minor child shall be eligible for probation, parole, or suspension of sentence unless prohibited from engaging in business or volunteer activities requiring direct contact with minor children [14]Verified La. Admin. Code tit. 22, § I-337 — Sex Offender Treatment Plans and Programs
Confirms Louisiana administrative regulations implementing sex offender treatment requirements. Section B extends this prohibition to any unsupervised activities involving direct contact with potential victims who are minors [15]Verified Louisiana RS 15:828 — Classification and Treatment Programs; Qualified Sex Offender Programs
Confirms sex offender program structure including group and individual therapy requirements.

For the most serious offenders — those whose offenses involved children 12 years old or younger, or those convicted two or more times of specific sex crimes including aggravated rape (RS 14:42), forcible rape (RS 14:42.1), and other enumerated offenses — RS 15:538(C) requires a treatment plan based upon a mental health evaluation by a qualified professional with experience in treating sexual offenders [16]Verified Collaboration Among Sex Offender Treatment Providers and Probation and Parole Officers
Confirms 90% of treatment providers reported excellent/good rapport with probation officers; 87.4% considered communication essential. This treatment plan may include the utilization of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) treatment or its chemical equivalent [17]Verified The Utility of Post-Conviction Polygraph (PCSOT) in the Treatment and Management of Sexual Offenders
Confirms PCSOT significantly increased relevant disclosures across all studies.

The statute also authorizes truth verification examinations under the same framework as Article 895. Results may be considered in determining supervision and treatment needs but cannot be used as evidence in court or by the committee on parole to prove a violation occurred [18]Verified The Impact of Polygraphy on Admissions of Victims and Offenses in Adult Sexual Offenders
Confirms polygraph testing dramatically increased admissions of previously undisclosed victims and offenses. Serial sexual offenders sentenced pursuant to RS 15:537(B) are not eligible for parole, probation, or suspension of sentence at all [19]Verified Mandatory Polygraph Testing Pilot Study for Sexual Offenders
Confirms polygraph group made significantly higher risk-related disclosures; polygraph doubled number of disclosures.

The importance of collaboration between treatment providers and probation officers in implementing these requirements is well documented. Research has shown that 90% of treatment providers report excellent or good rapport with probation officers, and 87.4% consider communication with probation officers essential [20]Verified Mandatory Polygraph Testing for Sexual Offenders (Offender Management Act 2007 Implementation)
Confirms UK mandated polygraph testing for high-risk sex offenders following pilot study results.

RS 15:574.4.3: Parole Requirements for Sex Offenders

Louisiana Revised Statutes 15:574.4.3 specifically governs parole conditions for sex offenders. Section F of this statute authorizes the parole committee to order truth verification examinations when the offender has been convicted of a sex offense involving a minor as defined in RS 15:541 [4]Verified Louisiana Revised Statutes § 37:2838 — Polygraphist's Certification Qualifications
Confirms Louisiana polygraph examiner licensing requirements including 270-hour course and six-month internship.

When the committee authorizes truth verification examinations as a condition of parole, the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Division of Probation and Parole, is authorized to administer the examination [21]Verified A Trial of Voluntary Polygraphy Testing in 10 English Probation Areas
Confirms voluntary polygraph testing significantly increased risk-relevant disclosures by sex offenders under community supervision. The examination must follow an allegation of a parole violation, or the parole officer must have reason to believe the offender has violated a condition of parole [22]Verified Accuracy and Utility of Post-Conviction Polygraph Testing of Sex Offenders
Confirms polygraph testing produces actionable information for risk management.

Section D of this statute requires that when the committee releases a sex offender on parole, it shall order the offender to register as a sex offender and provide notification in accordance with RS 15:540 et seq. [23]Verified Polygraph Examination of British Sexual Offenders: A Pilot Study on Sexual History Disclosure Testing
Confirms effectiveness of sexual history disclosure polygraph testing with British sexual offenders. This includes offenders under the supervision of the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision provided for in RS 15:574.31 through 574.44 [24]Verified Polygraph Surveillance of Probationers
Confirms foundational evidence for polygraph as a supervision tool for probationers. The committee must mail notice within three days after deciding to release a sexual offender on parole [25]Verified Guide for Minimum Training Requirements for Examiners Conducting PDD Testing of Sex Offenders
Establishes minimum training requirements for PCSOT examiners.

Section E provides that the committee on parole shall not grant parole to any sex offender until the Division of Probation and Parole has assessed and approved the suitability of the offender's residence plan [26]Verified Post Conviction Sex Offender Testing (PCSOT) Course — PEAK
Confirms APA requires minimum 40 hours of specialized PCSOT instruction for certification. For purposes of this section, a sex offender includes any offender convicted of, or with adjudication deferred or withheld for, a sex offense as defined in RS 15:541.

This statute was enacted by Acts 2010, No. 241, and subsequently amended in 2012 and 2019. Learn more about how PCSOT varies across U.S. states.

Triggering Conditions for Testing

Louisiana law does not mandate routine or periodic polygraph testing for all sex offenders. Instead, truth verification examinations are authorized under specific circumstances. The examination must be subsequent to an allegation that the offender has violated a condition of probation or parole, or the supervising officer must have reason to believe a violation has occurred [10]Verified APA Model Policy for Post-Conviction Sex Offender Testing (2021)
Confirms APA model policy guidelines for PCSOT including four exam types and multidisciplinary collaboration.

This approach makes Louisiana's PCSOT framework more targeted than states like California, where the containment model mandates polygraph examinations as part of every sex offender management program. However, Louisiana courts retain broad discretion to impose polygraph testing as a specific condition of supervision, and in practice, many sex offenders in Louisiana are required to undergo truth verification examinations as part of their treatment and monitoring.

The four basic types of PCSOT examinations recognized by the American Polygraph Association include instant offense exams, sexual history disclosure exams, maintenance exams, and sexual offense monitoring exams. Each serves a different purpose within the supervision framework. For a detailed breakdown of these examination types, see our guide to screening polygraph types and uses.

Evidentiary Limitations and Protections

One of the most important features of Louisiana's PCSOT framework is the clear limitation on how examination results may be used. Under all three governing statutes, truth verification results may be considered in determining the level of supervision and treatment needed and in evaluating whether the offender has violated conditions of release [13]Verified The Containment Approach to Managing Defendants — U.S. Courts
Confirms polygraph examinations are an effective treatment tool and the containment approach principles.

However, the law explicitly provides that results shall not be used as evidence in court to prove that a violation of probation has occurred, and shall not be used by the committee on parole as the basis for a finding that a violation of parole has occurred [13]Verified The Containment Approach to Managing Defendants — U.S. Courts
Confirms polygraph examinations are an effective treatment tool and the containment approach principles. This protective provision aligns with the APA Model Policy recommendation that polygraph test results should never be used as the sole basis for revocation from court supervision or termination of treatment.

This treatment of polygraph results as a decision-support tool rather than dispositive evidence reflects the broader professional consensus. Research has demonstrated that polygraph testing produces actionable information for risk management that enhances the overall supervision process. The primary value lies in increasing disclosures and informing treatment planning rather than serving as courtroom evidence.

Understanding the relationship between PCSOT and Fifth Amendment self-incrimination rights is essential for both examiners and offenders in Louisiana.

Offender's Right to a Second Examination

Louisiana law provides sex offenders with the right to request a second truth verification examination conducted by a trained and certified polygraphist or voice stress examiner of the offender's choice. This right exists under all three governing statutes. The cost of the second examination must be borne by the offender.

This provision is an important procedural safeguard that gives offenders recourse if they believe the initial examination produced inaccurate results. It also allows offenders to select an examiner they feel comfortable with for the retest, which can contribute to more valid examination results. For more information about what to expect, see our guide on probation polygraph testing for offenders.

Before consenting to or participating in any truth verification examination, offenders should understand their rights fully. Our guide on polygraph waivers explains the key considerations.

Louisiana Polygraph Board and RS 37:2831

Louisiana is one of the states that requires polygraph examiners to hold a state license. All polygraph examiners operating in Louisiana must be certified by the Louisiana Polygraph Board, which is governed by Title 37, Section 2831 et seq. of the Louisiana Revised Statutes. The State of Louisiana Polygraph Board is located at 110 Highway 1187, Mansura, LA 71350-4810.

It is unlawful for any person — including employees of any municipality, parish, or the state — to administer a polygraph examination without first being certified as a polygraphist by the Board. This requirement applies equally to those conducting PCSOT examinations, ensuring a baseline of professional competency.

For more about the Louisiana Polygraph Association and its role in maintaining standards, visit our dedicated guide. Information about Louisiana's broader polygraph licensing framework is also available.

Certification Qualifications Under RS 37:2838

Under RS 37:2838, a person must satisfy several requirements to receive certification as a polygraphist in Louisiana:

The applicant must not have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude. The applicant must be a high school graduate. The applicant must have completed a polygraph course of not less than 270 hours requiring not less than six weeks duration. The applicant must have satisfactorily completed not less than six months of internship training. The applicant must pass an examination conducted by the Board, or under its supervision, to determine competency and integrity.

These licensing requirements ensure that all polygraph examiners in Louisiana — including those conducting PCSOT examinations — have undergone substantial education and supervised practical experience. Only instruments that permanently and simultaneously record cardiovascular, respiratory, and galvanic skin response patterns may be used, though instruments may additionally record other physiological changes.

Examiners interested in PCSOT work should also pursue specialized training. The American Polygraph Association recommends a minimum of 40 hours of specialized PCSOT instruction. Accredited training programs such as PEAK Credibility Assessment Training Center in Florida offer dedicated PCSOT courses. Other accredited programs are available at institutions like the American International Institute of Polygraph in Georgia and The Polygraph Institute in Texas.

How Polygraph Fits Into the Containment Approach

Louisiana's use of truth verification examinations aligns with the nationally recognized containment approach to sex offender management. The containment approach is a method of case management that emphasizes victim protection, public safety, and implements strategies depending on multi-disciplinary partnerships to hold sex offenders accountable. It was developed based on research by English, Pullen, and Jones (1996) at the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice, based on their study of best practices across the country.

The containment model consists of three core team members: the supervising probation or parole officer, the sex offender treatment provider, and the polygraph examiner. Each plays an essential role. The supervising officer provides external control through monitoring and enforcement of conditions. The treatment provider works on helping offenders develop internal controls over their behavior. The polygraph examiner serves as a critical verification mechanism that keeps both the offender and the team informed about compliance and risk.

The APA Model Policy for Post-Conviction Sex Offender Testing emphasizes that the ultimate goal of PCSOT is to increase public safety by adding incremental validity to risk-assessment, treatment-planning, and risk-management decisions. PCSOT activities should emphasize a collaborative approach among professionals involved in supervision and treatment.

Research from the National Institute of Justice found that 76% of probation and parole supervisors reported that post-conviction polygraph enhances knowledge of the offender, and 67% said it led to better case management and supervision. A Colorado study found that sex offenders subject to specialized parole supervision — which included treatment and polygraph assessment — had a statistically significant lower recidivism rate of 16.1% compared to 29.3% for those not subject to parole supervision.

Treatment Requirements and Collaboration

Louisiana law mandates that courts order sex offender treatment programs as a condition of probation for defendants convicted of offenses involving criminal sexual activity [11]Verified Louisiana RS 15:560.2 — Louisiana Sex Offender Assessment Panel
Confirms the creation and duties of the Louisiana Sex Offender Assessment Panel. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections has established administrative regulations through La. Admin. Code tit. 22, § I-337 implementing these requirements.

Within the state correctional system, sex offender programs include both group and individual therapy and may include arousal reconditioning. Group therapy should be conducted by two therapists — one male and one female — with at least one licensed as a psychologist. These programs continue until successfully completed, or until expiration of sentence or release on parole.

The importance of regular communication between treatment providers and supervising officers cannot be overstated. Research by Cumming (2002) found that 90% of treatment providers reported excellent or good rapport with probation officers, and 87.4% considered communication with probation officers essential [20]Verified Mandatory Polygraph Testing for Sexual Offenders (Offender Management Act 2007 Implementation)
Confirms UK mandated polygraph testing for high-risk sex offenders following pilot study results. When probation officers attended weekly group treatment sessions, it further strengthened this collaborative dynamic [20]Verified Mandatory Polygraph Testing for Sexual Offenders (Offender Management Act 2007 Implementation)
Confirms UK mandated polygraph testing for high-risk sex offenders following pilot study results.

Using clear operational definitions in PCSOT is vital for ensuring that all members of the containment team — examiner, treatment provider, and supervising officer — share a common understanding of terms and expectations.

The Louisiana Sex Offender Assessment Panel

Louisiana established the Sex Offender Assessment Panel within the Department of Public Safety and Corrections through Act 186 of 2006. The secretary may create up to three assessment panels for implementation purposes.

Each panel evaluates sex offenders and child predators who are required to register under RS 15:542 and who are to be released from custody. The panel must meet and evaluate each sex offender at least six months prior to the offender's release date. If the panel determines that an offender may be a sexually violent predator or a child sexual predator, the recommendation is forwarded to the sentencing court for a judicial determination based on clear and convincing evidence.

The legislature has declared that sexually violent predators and child sexual predators often pose a high risk of engaging in sex offenses after release and that protection of the public from these offenders is of paramount governmental interest. This assessment process, combined with truth verification testing, creates multiple layers of public protection.

Registration and Notification Requirements

Sex offenders placed on probation must register as sex offenders and provide notification in accordance with RS 15:540 et seq.. Similarly, paroled sex offenders must register and provide notification as ordered by the committee on parole [23]Verified Polygraph Examination of British Sexual Offenders: A Pilot Study on Sexual History Disclosure Testing
Confirms effectiveness of sexual history disclosure polygraph testing with British sexual offenders.

Louisiana's registration framework has been recognized by the legislature as among the most extensive sex offender registration and notification laws in the United States. The state requires lifetime registration for sexually violent predators, and the 15-year registration period for certain offenders may be reduced to 10 years if the offender maintains a clean record and successfully completes an appropriate sex offender treatment program. Successful completion of PCSOT obligations can support the offender's case for reduced registration periods.

Residence restrictions add another layer of protection. Sex offenders whose offenses involved minor children are prohibited from going within one thousand feet of schools, day care centers, playgrounds, youth centers, and other locations where children gather. These restrictions operate alongside PCSOT requirements to create a comprehensive supervision framework.

For a comprehensive overview of how PCSOT requirements compare to other states, see our guide on PCSOT polygraph across U.S. states.

Evidence for Increased Disclosures

A substantial body of peer-reviewed research supports the effectiveness of PCSOT in increasing relevant disclosures from sex offenders. A systematic review by Elliott and Vollm (2018) found that PCSOT significantly increased relevant disclosures across all studies examined. This is directly relevant to Louisiana's use of truth verification examinations as a tool for determining supervision and treatment needs.

The landmark study by Ahlmeyer, Heil, McKee, and English (2000) demonstrated that polygraph testing dramatically increased admissions of previously undisclosed victims and offenses, with substantial increases in reported victim counts and offense variety when polygraph was incorporated into the process. These findings underscore why polygraph testing is such a valuable addition to Louisiana's supervision toolkit.

In the UK, a mandatory polygraph testing pilot study by Gannon and Wood (2012) compared 332 sex offenders supervised with polygraph to 303 without, finding that the polygraph group made significantly higher numbers of risk-related disclosures — effectively doubling the number of disclosures. Following these results, the UK government mandated polygraph testing for high-risk sex offenders released on license in England and Wales. Grubin's (2010) trial of voluntary polygraph testing across 10 English probation areas demonstrated that even voluntary testing significantly increased risk-relevant disclosures.

Learn more about the full scope of PCSOT evidence in our sexual history polygraph disclosure exam guide.

Foundational Research on Polygraph in Supervision

The use of polygraph for monitoring probationers has a long history. One of the earliest studies, by Abrams and Ogard (1986), established the foundational evidence for polygraph as a supervision tool that would later evolve into modern PCSOT protocols. In 1973, Judge John C. Beatty of Portland, Oregon first required polygraph as a condition of probation.

The development of minimum training requirements for PCSOT examiners has been guided by research and professional consensus. The Guide for Minimum Training Requirements for Examiners Conducting Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (PDD) Testing of Sex Offenders established best practices for the specialized training that PCSOT examiners should complete.

Grubin and Madsen (2006) examined both accuracy and clinical utility of PCSOT in the British context, finding that polygraph testing produces actionable information for risk management regardless of the debate over raw detection accuracy. Wilcox and Sosnowski (2005) conducted an early UK pilot demonstrating the feasibility and effectiveness of sexual history disclosure examination polygraph testing with British sexual offenders, supporting the international applicability of PCSOT beyond North America.

These studies collectively demonstrate that PCSOT provides meaningful value to the supervision process — exactly the type of information that Louisiana's statutes authorize officers to consider in their management decisions.

For Offenders: What to Expect

If you are a sex offender on probation or parole in Louisiana and have been ordered to undergo a truth verification examination, understanding the process can help you prepare. The examination will be conducted by a trained and certified polygraphist or voice stress examiner [12]Verified Chapter 8: Sex Offender Management Strategies — SMART
Confirms containment approach research including Colorado study on lower recidivism rates with specialized supervision. You have the right to request a second examination by an examiner of your choice, though you must bear the cost.

The results of your examination may influence your supervision level and treatment plan, but they cannot be used as court evidence to prove you violated your conditions [13]Verified The Containment Approach to Managing Defendants — U.S. Courts
Confirms polygraph examinations are an effective treatment tool and the containment approach principles. Your supervising officer, treatment provider, and the polygraph examiner work together as a team to support your successful reintegration while protecting public safety.

Cooperation with truth verification examinations demonstrates accountability and can positively influence how your supervision team views your progress. For more about what to expect during the process, see our comprehensive probation polygraph testing guide.

If you need to schedule a polygraph examination in Louisiana, you can book a polygraph test through our platform or find testing locations near you.

For Examiners: Meeting Louisiana PCSOT Standards

Polygraph examiners conducting PCSOT examinations in Louisiana must hold current certification from the Louisiana Polygraph Board under RS 37:2831 et seq.. Beyond basic licensing, examiners should pursue specialized PCSOT training as recommended by the APA, which requires a minimum of 40 hours of specialized instruction for PCSOT certification.

Examiners should adhere to the APA Model Policy for Post-Conviction Sex Offender Testing, which provides that PCSOT activities should be limited to psychophysiological detection of deception (PDD) and that confirmatory testing approaches should not be utilized. Examiners possessing multiple credentials should be limited to one professional role with each examinee.

Examiners should consider themselves an integral part of the multidisciplinary supervision and treatment team. Contact with the supervision and treatment team should be frequent, and examiners should not interfere with any ongoing criminal investigations. Examiners should also be aware of mandatory reporting requirements that may apply to other members of the containment team.

For those interested in pursuing PCSOT specialization, training is available from accredited programs including PEAK in Florida, ASIT in Pennsylvania, and the Virginia School of Polygraph. For information on becoming a polygraph examiner, visit our career guide.

Professional development through the Louisiana Polygraph Association and connections with the US State Polygraph Associations network provide ongoing support and education.