Arizona Polygraph Association

Arizona Polygraph Association: An Introduction

The Arizona Polygraph Association (AzPA) is a state-level professional organization dedicated to the standardization of testing protocols and ethics within the polygraph industry across Arizona. Established in 1973 and operating under bylaws revised in 1997, the AzPA has served the polygraph community in the Grand Canyon State for over five decades. Headquartered in Scottsdale with a mailing address at P.O. Box 10582, the association unites both law enforcement and private-sector polygraph examiners under a shared commitment to professional excellence. As an affiliate of the leading national polygraph association, the AzPA serves as the primary professional body representing credibility assessment practitioners throughout Arizona.

History and Evolution

The AzPA was formally incorporated in 1973, making it one of the longer-standing state polygraph associations in the southwestern United States. The association's founding articles of incorporation and bylaws were substantially revised in 1997 to reflect evolving standards and the growing complexity of the polygraph profession. Over the decades, leadership has passed through a distinguished roster of past presidents including Byron Roberts, Cy Gilson, Tom Ezell, Lee Chambers, Rudy Mellmann, Molly Estrella, Bill Bangs, Floyd Lawrence, Bob Banta, Erich Schoenfeld, Lou Disser, Tom McMahon, Felipe Diaz Jr., Jack Ogilvie, Lee Fish, Kay Docter, and Gary Lindberg, among many others. In April 2010, the Board of Directors approved a landmark quality assurance initiative providing free peer review services to polygraph examiners across three practice categories: law enforcement, private examiners, and Post-Conviction Sex Offender Testing (PCSOT). The association also maintains an In Memoriam listing honoring members who made foundational contributions to Arizona polygraphy, including notable figures such as Cleve Backster, a legendary name in the polygraph profession.

Mission and Professional Standards

The AzPA's constitution articulates a mission centered on serving the cause of truth with integrity, objectivity, and fairness. Its stated objectives include encouraging and supporting research, providing education and training to enhance examiner capability, offering a forum for information exchange, judiciously screening membership applicants, and regulating member conduct through recognized standards of procedures and techniques. Members pledge to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct, respecting human dignity and ensuring their actions and decisions remain free from personal or financial biases. These standards closely parallel industry benchmarks found in our Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, reinforcing the AzPA's alignment with nationally recognized professional conduct expectations.

Membership, Benefits, and Dues

The AzPA offers five classes of membership: Member, Intern, Associate, Honorary, and Life Member. Full membership requires completion of 300 hours of classroom instruction at an accredited polygraph school recognized by the AzPA Board of Directors, along with the administration of at least 200 polygraph examinations within three years of completing training, with a minimum of 50 being event-specific or single-issue examinations. Applicants must also be permanent residents of Arizona and submit polygraph chart samples for board review. Intern members must have graduated from an accredited polygraph school and conduct examinations under the guidance of a full AzPA or national association member, with intern status limited to three years. Associate membership is available to those with a valid professional interest in polygraph, including instrument manufacturers and researchers. Annual membership dues are $50 per year. Life membership may be granted to those with 25 years of continuous good standing, outstanding contributions to the profession, or personal hardship, and carries exemption from all dues.

Training, Seminars, and Continuing Education

The AzPA hosts an annual seminar and business meeting that serves as the cornerstone of the association's educational programming. These seminars provide continuing education opportunities for members and feature speakers addressing current polygraph techniques, research developments, legal updates, and best practices. The association's Speaker's Corner program welcomes guest presenters at no speaker fee, encouraging a broad range of expertise to be shared with members. The AzPA's Vice-Presidents for Government and Private sectors serve as co-chairs of the training and seminar committee, ensuring that programming addresses the needs of both law enforcement and civilian practitioners. The association's quality assurance program, operated by a six-member panel covering law enforcement, private, and PCSOT categories, provides anonymous review services that complement formal peer review processes.

Licensing and State Regulation

Arizona does not currently require a state-issued license for polygraph examiners. There is no dedicated state polygraph licensing board or mandatory state examination. However, the AzPA's own bylaws explicitly state that the association is dedicated to the regulation of polygraph examiners by the State of Arizona, and the Legislative Committee is specifically charged with encouraging a polygraph licensing law in the state. In the absence of state licensing requirements, the AzPA's rigorous membership standards effectively function as a voluntary credentialing framework. Notably, Arizona law does regulate certain aspects of polygraph use: in 2022, Governor Doug Ducey signed H.B. 2159 into law, prohibiting the use of polygraphs in law enforcement internal investigations, though pre-employment polygraph screening by law enforcement agencies remains widely practiced throughout the state.

Role in the Broader Profession

The AzPA maintains its affiliation with the leading national polygraph association and is recognized on that organization's official directory of state associations. The association's membership includes examiners who hold dual memberships with national organizations, strengthening the professional network in Arizona. Visitors seeking more information about polygraph associations nationwide may explore our comprehensive Polygraph Associations Directory, which catalogs state, regional, national, and international organizations dedicated to credibility assessment.

Polygraph Services in Arizona

Arizona's polygraph community serves a wide range of needs across the state, from pre-employment screening for law enforcement agencies in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, and Tucson to clinical PCSOT testing, attorney-client examinations, and private relationship testing. LieDetectorTest.com maintains a network of qualified examiners throughout Arizona, operating under our established Operating Framework to ensure consistent, professional service delivery. Those in need of polygraph testing anywhere in Arizona can book a test through our convenient scheduling platform and be connected with a qualified examiner in their area.

Arizona does not currently require a state-issued license for polygraph examiners. There is no dedicated state polygraph licensing board, no mandatory state examination, and no formal continuing education requirements imposed by state law. Despite this unregulated environment, the AzPA's own bylaws include a provision stating that the association is dedicated to the regulation of polygraph examiners by the State of Arizona, and its Legislative Committee is specifically tasked with encouraging the passage of a polygraph licensing law. In 2022, Arizona enacted H.B. 2159 (codified at A.R.S. § 38-1108), which prohibits polygraph examinations in law enforcement internal investigations, though pre-employment polygraph screening remains widely used by Arizona law enforcement agencies. In the absence of state licensure, membership in a recognized professional association such as the AzPA serves as the primary voluntary credentialing mechanism for Arizona examiners.