Georgia Polygraph Association: Standards & Services

Original Incorporation in 1986

The Georgia Polygraph Association was incorporated on February 26, 1986, as a domestic nonprofit corporation in the State of Georgia [1]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Bylaws and History
Confirms GPA incorporation date of February 26, 1986, dormancy after EPPA, 1992 licensing repeal, May 1997 reorganization meeting, August 1997 reactivation, and bylaws committee members.. This association of dedicated polygraph examiners and supporters was organized to provide a forum for discussion, education, and mutual support for its members [1]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Bylaws and History
Confirms GPA incorporation date of February 26, 1986, dormancy after EPPA, 1992 licensing repeal, May 1997 reorganization meeting, August 1997 reactivation, and bylaws committee members.. In 1988, the GPA actively supported passage of polygraph legislation that became a model for polygraph laws around the country [1]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Bylaws and History
Confirms GPA incorporation date of February 26, 1986, dormancy after EPPA, 1992 licensing repeal, May 1997 reorganization meeting, August 1997 reactivation, and bylaws committee members..

The GPA's founding reflected a growing professionalization of polygraph examination across the United States during the 1980s. The American Polygraph Association (APA), established in 1966, was already setting national standards with members worldwide promoting evidence-based scientific methods for credibility assessment. Professional polygraph standards require validated techniques with empirical support, informed consent procedures, continuing education of at least 30 hours every two years, and adherence to established codes of ethics [10]Verified Ethics and Standards
Confirms professional polygraph standards require validated techniques, informed consent, continuing education of at least 30 hours every two years, and adherence to codes of ethics..

Impact of EPPA and the Dormancy Period

The Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) became effective on December 27, 1988, prohibiting most private employers from using lie detector tests for pre-employment screening or during the course of employment [3]Verified Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 — Wikipedia
Confirms EPPA effective date of December 27, 1988, and its prohibition on most private employer polygraph use with government exemptions.. Federal, state, and local government agencies were exempted from the Act [3]Verified Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 — Wikipedia
Confirms EPPA effective date of December 27, 1988, and its prohibition on most private employer polygraph use with government exemptions.. The EPPA greatly reduced the volume of polygraph examiners engaged in the private sector [1]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Bylaws and History
Confirms GPA incorporation date of February 26, 1986, dormancy after EPPA, 1992 licensing repeal, May 1997 reorganization meeting, August 1997 reactivation, and bylaws committee members..

As a result, the Georgia Polygraph Association became dormant. In 1992, the Georgia State Legislature repealed the Georgia Polygraph Examiners Act, which had required licensing provisions for polygraph examiners in the State of Georgia [1]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Bylaws and History
Confirms GPA incorporation date of February 26, 1986, dormancy after EPPA, 1992 licensing repeal, May 1997 reorganization meeting, August 1997 reactivation, and bylaws committee members.. This repeal made Georgia one of the states with no state-level polygraph examiner requirements [4]Verified Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) — Georgia Requirements
Confirms Georgia does not have state-level polygraph examiner requirements; examiners must meet federal requirements under 29 CFR Part 801.. To learn more about Georgia EPPA compliance and private sector polygraph rights, see our detailed guide.

Reactivation in 1997

On May 17, 1997, a group of concerned law enforcement and private polygraph examiners met for the purpose of reorganizing the Georgia Polygraph Association [1]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Bylaws and History
Confirms GPA incorporation date of February 26, 1986, dormancy after EPPA, 1992 licensing repeal, May 1997 reorganization meeting, August 1997 reactivation, and bylaws committee members.. All active polygraph examiners in the state were notified, and a meeting was held on August 29, 1997, officially reactivating the Georgia Polygraph Association, Inc. [1]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Bylaws and History
Confirms GPA incorporation date of February 26, 1986, dormancy after EPPA, 1992 licensing repeal, May 1997 reorganization meeting, August 1997 reactivation, and bylaws committee members.. Officers were elected and a bylaws committee was formed, chaired by Joel F. Montezinos, along with committee members Robert C. Turner, Price A. Williams, and Richard D. Rackleff [1]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Bylaws and History
Confirms GPA incorporation date of February 26, 1986, dormancy after EPPA, 1992 licensing repeal, May 1997 reorganization meeting, August 1997 reactivation, and bylaws committee members..

The reactivated GPA was established with clear objectives: to organize an association dedicated to the highest professionalism, ethics, and integrity within the polygraph profession in the State of Georgia; to encourage adherence to recognized professional standards; to promote the exchange of information among members; and to encourage and support research, education, and training in the polygraph field [1]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Bylaws and History
Confirms GPA incorporation date of February 26, 1986, dormancy after EPPA, 1992 licensing repeal, May 1997 reorganization meeting, August 1997 reactivation, and bylaws committee members.. These objectives mirror the kinds of professional standards that shaped the modern polygraph profession.

Full Membership

The GPA offers three categories of membership: Full Membership, Intern Membership, and Affiliate Membership [2]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Membership Information
Confirms three membership categories, $55 annual dues, and detailed membership requirements including 30 hours CE every two years and 25-examination internship.. All full members and interns have voting rights [2]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Membership Information
Confirms three membership categories, $55 annual dues, and detailed membership requirements including 30 hours CE every two years and 25-examination internship.. Annual dues for the GPA are $55.00 per year, due by February 1st of each year [2]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Membership Information
Confirms three membership categories, $55 annual dues, and detailed membership requirements including 30 hours CE every two years and 25-examination internship..

Full Members must meet the following requirements: must be 21 years of age; must be a citizen or legal resident of the United States of America; must have a high school diploma or equivalent; must not have been convicted of a felony or any crime of moral turpitude; must be a graduate of a formal polygraph school approved by the Executive Board; must complete thirty (30) hours of approved training every two (2) years; must abide by the Professional Standards of Polygraph Procedures and Techniques established by the Association; and must have completed an internship with an experienced examiner consisting of a minimum of twenty-five (25) examinations [2]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Membership Information
Confirms three membership categories, $55 annual dues, and detailed membership requirements including 30 hours CE every two years and 25-examination internship..

Intern and Affiliate Membership

Intern Members are individuals who have completed all the requirements of full membership except the training and/or internship requirements [2]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Membership Information
Confirms three membership categories, $55 annual dues, and detailed membership requirements including 30 hours CE every two years and 25-examination internship.. This category provides a pathway for new examiners who are still completing their practical experience. Affiliate Members are individuals who possess a sincere interest in the polygraph profession [2]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Membership Information
Confirms three membership categories, $55 annual dues, and detailed membership requirements including 30 hours CE every two years and 25-examination internship.. This broader category allows treatment providers, attorneys, and other professionals who work alongside polygraph examiners to participate in GPA activities and networking.

The GPA maintains a comprehensive member directory that offers a listing of polygraph professionals across the state and beyond [5]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Homepage
Confirms GPA mission statement, three membership categories, and commitment to ethics, integrity, and professionalism.. Members include examiners from sheriff's offices, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia State Patrol, and private practice [6]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Member Directory
Confirms comprehensive listing of GPA members from law enforcement agencies, GBI, and private practice across Georgia.. If you are considering a career in the field, our guide on polygraph examiner salary and earnings provides useful context.

Adoption of APA Standards

The Georgia Polygraph Association adopts the Standards of Practice of the American Polygraph Association [7]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Standards of Practice
Confirms GPA adoption of APA Standards of Practice, automatic adoption of APA revisions, record retention minimums of three years, and disciplinary procedures.. Any revisions to APA Standards of Practice are automatically incorporated as the Standards of Practice for the GPA [7]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Standards of Practice
Confirms GPA adoption of APA Standards of Practice, automatic adoption of APA revisions, record retention minimums of three years, and disciplinary procedures.. Notifications required in the APA Standards of Practice apply, with notifications sent to the President of the GPA [7]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Standards of Practice
Confirms GPA adoption of APA Standards of Practice, automatic adoption of APA revisions, record retention minimums of three years, and disciplinary procedures..

Research in the field, including landmark studies applying behavioral science concepts of reliability and validity to polygraph testing, has helped establish the scientific foundation upon which these standards rest [9]Verified Admissibility of Polygraph Tests: The Application of Scientific Standards Post-Daubert
Applied behavioral science concepts of reliability and validity to polygraph admissibility analysis under Daubert standards.. Courts have increasingly recognized the importance of rigorous professional standards when evaluating polygraph evidence under Daubert criteria [9]Verified Admissibility of Polygraph Tests: The Application of Scientific Standards Post-Daubert
Applied behavioral science concepts of reliability and validity to polygraph admissibility analysis under Daubert standards..

Record Retention and Ethics Enforcement

The GPA requires that all polygraph charts, question sets, written reports, data sheets, waiver forms, opinions of the examiner from chart analysis, and other pertinent physical or electronic work product be kept on file in a safe place from the date of the examination for a minimum of three years, or as provided for in the Georgia State Retention Schedule [7]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Standards of Practice
Confirms GPA adoption of APA Standards of Practice, automatic adoption of APA revisions, record retention minimums of three years, and disciplinary procedures..

Violations of established Association Professional Standards are investigated by the Executive Board [7]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Standards of Practice
Confirms GPA adoption of APA Standards of Practice, automatic adoption of APA revisions, record retention minimums of three years, and disciplinary procedures.. If confirmed, the violation is discussed at a regular business meeting and put to a disciplinary action vote. A simple majority vote prompts a letter of censure, while more severe action — up to and including revocation of membership — requires a three-fourths majority vote [7]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Standards of Practice
Confirms GPA adoption of APA Standards of Practice, automatic adoption of APA revisions, record retention minimums of three years, and disciplinary procedures.. Understanding polygraph numerical scoring and thresholds helps illustrate why standardized practices are so important to accurate results.

The Tri-State Polygraph Conference

One of the GPA's signature events is the annual Tri-State Polygraph Conference, held on a rotating basis in coordination with the South Carolina Association of Polygraph Examiners and the North Carolina Polygraph Association [1]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Bylaws and History
Confirms GPA incorporation date of February 26, 1986, dormancy after EPPA, 1992 licensing repeal, May 1997 reorganization meeting, August 1997 reactivation, and bylaws committee members.. The GPA Training Director is responsible for organizing annual training and chairing the committee for the Tri-State Polygraph Conference, including setting the location, accommodations, speakers, and pre-certification of GA POST and American Polygraph Association credits for Continuing Education [1]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Bylaws and History
Confirms GPA incorporation date of February 26, 1986, dormancy after EPPA, 1992 licensing repeal, May 1997 reorganization meeting, August 1997 reactivation, and bylaws committee members..

The conference attracts strong attendance from Georgia members. At the November 2025 Tri-State Conference held at the Hotel Indigo in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, the GPA brought 40 members — compared to 18 from South Carolina and 11 from North Carolina [8]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — News
Confirms 2026 officer elections (Gil Guthrie as President), Tri-State Conference attendance, training meeting locations, and passing of Richard Rackleff.. Training highlights from the Tri-State Conference are often shared at subsequent GPA business meetings [8]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — News
Confirms 2026 officer elections (Gil Guthrie as President), Tri-State Conference attendance, training meeting locations, and passing of Richard Rackleff..

AIIP: Georgia's APA-Accredited Polygraph School

Georgia is home to the American International Institute of Polygraph (AIIP), one of the APA-accredited polygraph schools in the United States. Located at 277 Hwy. 74, Suite #312, Peachtree City, Georgia, AIIP is operated by Frederick Polygraph, LLC [11]Verified AIIP — Basic Polygraph Examiner Course
Confirms AIIP location in Peachtree City, Georgia, APA accreditation, $6,000 tuition, and graduation requirements.. AIIP provides instruction and training in polygraph sciences, allowing students to develop and refine the knowledge and skills necessary for successful accomplishment of polygraph examinations [11]Verified AIIP — Basic Polygraph Examiner Course
Confirms AIIP location in Peachtree City, Georgia, APA accreditation, $6,000 tuition, and graduation requirements..

The Basic Polygraph Examiner Course has a tuition of $6,000.00 USD, which does not include lodging, meals, transportation, or polygraph instruments [11]Verified AIIP — Basic Polygraph Examiner Course
Confirms AIIP location in Peachtree City, Georgia, APA accreditation, $6,000 tuition, and graduation requirements.. To graduate, students must successfully complete written performance examinations, attendance requirements, a minimum of 3 complete mock polygraph examinations, an exit questionnaire, and satisfactory performance in conducting Zone Comparison, Modified General Question Technique, and Peak of Tension tests [11]Verified AIIP — Basic Polygraph Examiner Course
Confirms AIIP location in Peachtree City, Georgia, APA accreditation, $6,000 tuition, and graduation requirements.. AIIP's director, Robbie Frederick, is a 2003 graduate of the Department of Defense Polygraph Institute with over 31 years of law enforcement experience and has held leadership positions in both the Georgia Polygraph Association and the American Polygraph Association [12]Verified AIIP Course Catalog — Instructor Profiles
Confirms Robbie Frederick as AIIP Director with over 31 years of law enforcement experience and leadership positions in the GPA and APA..

Continuing Education Requirements

GPA Full Members must complete thirty (30) hours of approved training every two (2) years, with training approved by the Executive Board or its designated committee [2]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Membership Information
Confirms three membership categories, $55 annual dues, and detailed membership requirements including 30 hours CE every two years and 25-examination internship.. This requirement aligns with nationally recognized professional standards that mandate continuing education of at least 30 hours every two years to ensure polygraph examiners remain current with advances in the field [10]Verified Ethics and Standards
Confirms professional polygraph standards require validated techniques, informed consent, continuing education of at least 30 hours every two years, and adherence to codes of ethics..

The GPA holds regular business and training meetings at locations across the state, including the Georgia State Patrol Headquarters in Atlanta and the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth [8]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — News
Confirms 2026 officer elections (Gil Guthrie as President), Tri-State Conference attendance, training meeting locations, and passing of Richard Rackleff.. Recent training topics have included 'The Human Factor in Cognitive Interviews' presented by Lt. Todd Hinson of the Georgia State Patrol [8]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — News
Confirms 2026 officer elections (Gil Guthrie as President), Tri-State Conference attendance, training meeting locations, and passing of Richard Rackleff.. These sessions help members stay informed about the factors that affect lie detector test results.

No State Licensing Requirement

Georgia does not have state-level polygraph examiner requirements [4]Verified Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) — Georgia Requirements
Confirms Georgia does not have state-level polygraph examiner requirements; examiners must meet federal requirements under 29 CFR Part 801.. Private-sector employees are provided protection under federal requirements at 29 CFR Part 801 [4]Verified Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) — Georgia Requirements
Confirms Georgia does not have state-level polygraph examiner requirements; examiners must meet federal requirements under 29 CFR Part 801.. This means Georgia polygraph examiners must meet only federal requirements under the Employee Polygraph Protection Act, which became effective December 27, 1988 [3]Verified Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 — Wikipedia
Confirms EPPA effective date of December 27, 1988, and its prohibition on most private employer polygraph use with government exemptions.. The APA's listing of state licensing boards confirms Georgia under the 'No License Required' category [13]Verified APA State Licensing Boards & Associations
Confirms Georgia has no license required for polygraph examiners. Also confirms South Carolina and North Carolina licensing frameworks..

The absence of state licensing makes voluntary professional affiliation through the GPA and the APA especially important for establishing examiner credibility. Similar to other no-license states, APA accreditation from an approved training program effectively serves as the professional credential in Georgia [13]Verified APA State Licensing Boards & Associations
Confirms Georgia has no license required for polygraph examiners. Also confirms South Carolina and North Carolina licensing frameworks.. For comparison, see how other states handle polygraph regulation in our guides on the Missouri Polygraph Association and Indiana Polygraph Association.

Civil Liability for Negligent Polygraph Administration

Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 51-1-37 provides that any person who suffers damages as a result of a polygraph examination having been administered in a negligent manner shall have a cause of action against the polygraph examiner [14]Verified Georgia Code § 51-1-37 — Negligent or Improper Administration of Polygraph Examination
Confirms civil cause of action for negligent polygraph administration, damages including back pay and attorneys' fees, enacted 1985, amended 2001.. The measure of damages includes actual damages sustained, together with reasonable attorneys' fees, filing fees, and reasonable costs of the action [14]Verified Georgia Code § 51-1-37 — Negligent or Improper Administration of Polygraph Examination
Confirms civil cause of action for negligent polygraph administration, damages including back pay and attorneys' fees, enacted 1985, amended 2001.. Damages may include back pay for the period during which the person did not work or was denied a job as a result of such examination [14]Verified Georgia Code § 51-1-37 — Negligent or Improper Administration of Polygraph Examination
Confirms civil cause of action for negligent polygraph administration, damages including back pay and attorneys' fees, enacted 1985, amended 2001.. This statute, originally enacted in 1985 and amended in 2001, creates a powerful legal incentive for examiners to maintain the highest professional standards.

Notably, the legislative history includes a provision stating that nothing in the Act shall be construed to authorize polygraph results to be introduced in evidence in any judicial or administrative proceeding, with an exception for employment-related administrative proceedings [14]Verified Georgia Code § 51-1-37 — Negligent or Improper Administration of Polygraph Examination
Confirms civil cause of action for negligent polygraph administration, damages including back pay and attorneys' fees, enacted 1985, amended 2001.. For more on how polygraph evidence interacts with Georgia courts, see our guide on Georgia court admissibility of polygraph results.

Polygraph Admissibility in Georgia Courts

Georgia courts follow the landmark 1977 Georgia Supreme Court ruling in State v. Chambers, which held that upon express stipulation of the parties, the results of lie detector tests shall be admissible as evidence for the jury to consider [15]Verified State v. Chambers, 240 Ga. 76 (1977) — Georgia Supreme Court
Established that upon express stipulation of the parties, polygraph results shall be admissible as evidence in Georgia courts.. This stipulation-based admissibility standard requires that both prosecution and defense agree in advance to the circumstances of the test and the scope of admissibility [16]Verified Polygraph Evidence in Georgia Criminal Cases — Church Law
Confirms Eleventh Circuit standards for polygraph admissibility including stipulation and impeachment/corroboration. Confirms Georgia adopted Federal Rules of Evidence in 2013..

In 2013, Georgia adopted the Federal Rules of Evidence, and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals has held that polygraph evidence is admissible in two specific instances: where both parties stipulate in advance, and when used to impeach or corroborate testimony of a witness at trial [16]Verified Polygraph Evidence in Georgia Criminal Cases — Church Law
Confirms Eleventh Circuit standards for polygraph admissibility including stipulation and impeachment/corroboration. Confirms Georgia adopted Federal Rules of Evidence in 2013.. Georgia's approach is considered more flexible than that of some neighboring states — for example, North Carolina firmly prohibits polygraph evidence even when both parties agree [17]Verified Polygraph Laws — State Admissibility Comparison
Confirms Georgia is more flexible than some neighboring states on polygraph admissibility, and that North Carolina firmly prohibits polygraph evidence.. The admissibility framework has been shaped by broader developments in evidence law, including the Daubert and Frye standards that apply behavioral science concepts of reliability and validity to expert evidence [9]Verified Admissibility of Polygraph Tests: The Application of Scientific Standards Post-Daubert
Applied behavioral science concepts of reliability and validity to polygraph admissibility analysis under Daubert standards..

Victim Protection Laws

Under O.C.G.A. § 17-5-73, added in 2008, no prosecuting attorney, investigating law enforcement agency, or government official shall ask or require any victim of a sexual assault to submit to a polygraph examination or any other truth-telling device as a condition precedent to investigating such alleged crime [18]Verified Georgia Code § 17-5-73 — Victim's Right to Refuse Polygraph
Confirms 2008 law prohibiting requiring sexual assault victims to submit to polygraph as condition of investigation.. The refusal of a victim to submit to a polygraph examination shall not prevent an investigation or prosecution of any sexual assault [18]Verified Georgia Code § 17-5-73 — Victim's Right to Refuse Polygraph
Confirms 2008 law prohibiting requiring sexual assault victims to submit to polygraph as condition of investigation.. Georgia is one of numerous states that have enacted similar protections for sexual assault victims.

GBI Polygraph Unit

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation Polygraph Unit currently has seven GBI agents trained as polygraph examiners throughout the State of Georgia, assisting over 200 law enforcement agencies in administering polygraph examinations [19]Verified GBI Polygraph Unit
Confirms seven GBI polygraph examiners assisting over 200 agencies, annual seminar, FY10 statistics of 2,234 examinations, and APA membership requirement.. Every GBI examiner is a graduate of an American Polygraph Association certified school and maintains continuing education in the field [19]Verified GBI Polygraph Unit
Confirms seven GBI polygraph examiners assisting over 200 agencies, annual seminar, FY10 statistics of 2,234 examinations, and APA membership requirement.. Each GBI polygraph examiner is a member of the American Polygraph Association in good standing [19]Verified GBI Polygraph Unit
Confirms seven GBI polygraph examiners assisting over 200 agencies, annual seminar, FY10 statistics of 2,234 examinations, and APA membership requirement..

GBI examiners conduct pre-employment polygraph examinations for any law enforcement agency that utilizes the polygraph as a component of their personnel screening process [19]Verified GBI Polygraph Unit
Confirms seven GBI polygraph examiners assisting over 200 agencies, annual seminar, FY10 statistics of 2,234 examinations, and APA membership requirement.. Examiners also polygraph subjects of criminal or internal investigations as support for law enforcement agencies [19]Verified GBI Polygraph Unit
Confirms seven GBI polygraph examiners assisting over 200 agencies, annual seminar, FY10 statistics of 2,234 examinations, and APA membership requirement.. During FY10, the Polygraph Unit administered 1,164 pre-employment polygraphs and 1,070 criminal specific examinations for a total of 2,234 examinations [19]Verified GBI Polygraph Unit
Confirms seven GBI polygraph examiners assisting over 200 agencies, annual seminar, FY10 statistics of 2,234 examinations, and APA membership requirement.. The GBI Polygraph Unit also sponsors an annual polygraph seminar for all law enforcement polygraph examiners to ensure they stay current on the latest research [19]Verified GBI Polygraph Unit
Confirms seven GBI polygraph examiners assisting over 200 agencies, annual seminar, FY10 statistics of 2,234 examinations, and APA membership requirement.. For more on how polygraph testing works during on-site field examinations, see our detailed guide.

Georgia Department of Public Safety

The Georgia Department of Public Safety mandates that all applicants submit to a polygraph examination as part of the hiring process [20]Verified Georgia Department of Public Safety — Polygraph and Background Information
Confirms all DPS applicants must submit to polygraph examination at Headquarters or GBI in Atlanta.. The examination is conducted at DPS Headquarters or the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in Atlanta [20]Verified Georgia Department of Public Safety — Polygraph and Background Information
Confirms all DPS applicants must submit to polygraph examination at Headquarters or GBI in Atlanta.. Candidates must complete and pass the polygraph exam before moving on to the next step in the hiring process [20]Verified Georgia Department of Public Safety — Polygraph and Background Information
Confirms all DPS applicants must submit to polygraph examination at Headquarters or GBI in Atlanta.. The DPS employment process addresses integrity, ethical conduct, honesty, prejudices, financial responsibility, and past behavior of all applicants [20]Verified Georgia Department of Public Safety — Polygraph and Background Information
Confirms all DPS applicants must submit to polygraph examination at Headquarters or GBI in Atlanta..

For those interested in law enforcement careers involving polygraph, our guide on polygraph tests in police hiring provides a broader perspective on the pre-employment screening process.

Sex Offender Supervision and PCSOT

Polygraph testing plays a significant role in sex offender supervision in Georgia. The Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles requires that sex offenders must submit to polygraph examinations at a minimum of every six months, at their own expense [21]Verified Sex Offender Supervision — Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles
Confirms sex offenders must submit to polygraph examinations at a minimum of every six months at their own expense.. The Georgia Department of Community Supervision oversees felony supervision and requires that individuals under supervision submit to any psychological or physiological assessment at the direction of a community supervision officer or treatment provider [22]Verified Sex Offender Special Conditions of Supervision — Georgia DCS
Confirms individuals under supervision shall submit to physiological assessments at the direction of a community supervision officer..

The state maintains a list of approved polygraph examiners authorized for parole-related examinations [23]Verified Approved Polygraph Examiners — Georgia Pardons and Paroles
Confirms list of state-approved polygraph examiners authorized for parole-related examinations in Georgia.. Many Georgia examiners hold PCSOT (Post-Conviction Sex Offender Testing) certification. AIIP in Peachtree City offers specialized PCSOT training, with instructors experienced in conducting post-conviction sex offender examinations for both the Georgia Department of Community Supervision and the U.S. Federal Department of Probation and Parole [24]Verified AIIP Faculty — Instructor Profiles
Confirms Sarah Keane as PCSOT lead instructor at AIIP, James Hayes as GPA Vice President, and detailed instructor qualifications.. For related reading, see our guide on lie detector tests in sexual addiction therapy.

Current Leadership (2026–2027)

The GPA has a dynamic leadership structure that rotates regularly. As of 2026, the current officers include Gil Guthrie as President, Charles Sullenger as Vice President, and Joshua Alford as Training Director [8]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — News
Confirms 2026 officer elections (Gil Guthrie as President), Tri-State Conference attendance, training meeting locations, and passing of Richard Rackleff.. Todd Vande Zande continues as Secretary, James Buckner continues as Treasurer, and Keith Woodford and James Brower continue as Board Members [8]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — News
Confirms 2026 officer elections (Gil Guthrie as President), Tri-State Conference attendance, training meeting locations, and passing of Richard Rackleff..

The Executive Board consists of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Training Director, and Executive Director [7]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Standards of Practice
Confirms GPA adoption of APA Standards of Practice, automatic adoption of APA revisions, record retention minimums of three years, and disciplinary procedures.. The retiring President serves as the Executive Director and presides at Executive Board meetings, though with no voting power except in the event of a tie [7]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Standards of Practice
Confirms GPA adoption of APA Standards of Practice, automatic adoption of APA revisions, record retention minimums of three years, and disciplinary procedures.. The President also appoints the Standards and Ethics Committee, which reviews professional standards, and the Judiciary Committee, which monitors polygraph legislation at state and federal levels [7]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Standards of Practice
Confirms GPA adoption of APA Standards of Practice, automatic adoption of APA revisions, record retention minimums of three years, and disciplinary procedures..

Past Presidents and Distinguished Leaders

The GPA has a distinguished history of leadership stretching back to the 1997 reactivation. Past presidents have included Steve Duncan (1998–2000), Swanee D. Owen (2000–2001), David M. Gordon (2002–2003), Levis J. Spradlin Jr. (2003–2005), and H. Lawson Hagler (2014–2016) [25]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Officers and Past Presidents
Confirms past GPA presidents including Steve Duncan (1998-2000), Swanee D. Owen (2000-2001), David M. Gordon (2002-2003), Levis J. Spradlin Jr. (2003-2005), and H. Lawson Hagler (2014-2016)..

Sarah C. Thomas Keane served as GPA President from 2021 to 2023 and previously as Vice President from 2018 to 2020 [26]Verified Sarah C. Thomas Keane — Polygraph Examiner Profile
Confirms Keane served as GPA President 2021-2023, Vice President 2018-2020, Executive Director 2024-present, and Lead Instructor at AIIP.. She currently serves as Executive Director of the GPA (2024–present) [26]Verified Sarah C. Thomas Keane — Polygraph Examiner Profile
Confirms Keane served as GPA President 2021-2023, Vice President 2018-2020, Executive Director 2024-present, and Lead Instructor at AIIP.. Keane is also Lead Instructor at the American International Institute of Polygraph and a contracted examiner for both U.S. Federal Probation and the Georgia Department of Community Supervision [26]Verified Sarah C. Thomas Keane — Polygraph Examiner Profile
Confirms Keane served as GPA President 2021-2023, Vice President 2018-2020, Executive Director 2024-present, and Lead Instructor at AIIP.. John Sweat served as GPA President for 2020 and 2021 [27]Verified John Sweat — Pensacola Polygraph Examiner Profile
Confirms John Sweat served as GPA President for 2020 and 2021 and currently serves as Executive Director.. The organization also recently mourned the passing of Richard Dean Rackleff in November 2025 — one of the original 1997 bylaws committee members who helped reactivate the association [8]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — News
Confirms 2026 officer elections (Gil Guthrie as President), Tri-State Conference attendance, training meeting locations, and passing of Richard Rackleff..

Using the GPA Directory

The Georgia Polygraph Association maintains a comprehensive member directory on its website at georgiapolygraph.org that provides contact information for polygraph professionals across the state [5]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Homepage
Confirms GPA mission statement, three membership categories, and commitment to ethics, integrity, and professionalism.. The directory includes examiners from law enforcement agencies such as the GBI, Georgia State Patrol, and county sheriff's offices, as well as private practice examiners [6]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Member Directory
Confirms comprehensive listing of GPA members from law enforcement agencies, GBI, and private practice across Georgia.. Many directory listings indicate whether the examiner is available for private testing and whether they hold PCSOT certification [6]Verified Georgia Polygraph Association — Member Directory
Confirms comprehensive listing of GPA members from law enforcement agencies, GBI, and private practice across Georgia..

When selecting a Georgia polygraph examiner, look for graduates of APA-accredited polygraph schools, current APA and GPA membership, and relevant continuing education. These credentials are particularly important in Georgia given the absence of state licensing requirements [4]Verified Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) — Georgia Requirements
Confirms Georgia does not have state-level polygraph examiner requirements; examiners must meet federal requirements under 29 CFR Part 801.. Understanding the examination process and what to expect can also help — see our guide on waiting for polygraph results.

Book a Polygraph Test in Georgia

Professional polygraph testing is available at multiple locations across Georgia through LieDetectorTest.com. All examiners are trained to APA standards, and results are typically delivered within 24–48 hours. Available locations include Atlanta (from $700), Lawrenceville (from $700), Hiram (from $500), Newnan (from $700), Oakwood (from $700), Roswell (from $700), and Savannah (from $1,450). Whether you need testing for personal relationship matters, legal defense, or other private matters, you can book a polygraph test with confidence.

Regional Context

Georgia's approach to polygraph regulation and professional organization operates within a broader regional context. Among its Tri-State Conference partners, South Carolina requires state licensing through the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Polygraph Section [13]Verified APA State Licensing Boards & Associations
Confirms Georgia has no license required for polygraph examiners. Also confirms South Carolina and North Carolina licensing frameworks., while North Carolina also requires licensing through Private Protective Services [13]Verified APA State Licensing Boards & Associations
Confirms Georgia has no license required for polygraph examiners. Also confirms South Carolina and North Carolina licensing frameworks.. Georgia's no-license framework places greater emphasis on voluntary professional association membership.

Similar to other professional associations across the Southeast and nation, the GPA provides an essential quality framework. Organizations like the Maryland Polygraph Association, the Connecticut Polygraph Association, and the Colorado Association of Polygraph Examiners serve parallel functions in their respective states, maintaining professional standards through continuing education, ethical codes, and peer networking.