The Louisiana State Polygraph Board sets licensing and conduct standards statewide, and this guide covers the body that oversees who may perform a lie detector test.
The Louisiana State Polygraph Board is one of the most established polygraph regulatory bodies in the United States, created by the state legislature to certify and oversee all polygraph examiners operating in Louisiana. This guide covers licensing requirements, the disciplinary process, instrument standards, reciprocity provisions, and how Louisiana's framework protects the public while supporting high-quality polygraph examinations.
TL;DR — The Short Version
- Louisiana requires all polygraph examiners to hold a state certificate issued by the Louisiana State Polygraph Board, with no exceptions for municipal, parish, or state employees.
- Certification requires a minimum 270-hour polygraph course, six months of supervised internship, a clean criminal record, and passing a board-administered examination.
- The Board can refuse, suspend, or revoke a polygraph examiner's certificate on ten specific grounds including failure to inform examinees of their rights and false reporting.
- Louisiana enacted its polygraph licensing statute (RS 37:2831 et seq.) in 1980, directly addressing concerns raised by the Louisiana Supreme Court in State v. Catanese (1979).
Who This Guide Is For
- Aspiring polygraph examiners seeking Louisiana certification
- Licensed polygraph examiners from other states exploring Louisiana reciprocity
- Law enforcement agencies using polygraph in Louisiana investigations
- Attorneys handling cases involving polygraph evidence in Louisiana
- Private individuals considering a polygraph examination in Louisiana
- Employers conducting workplace polygraph testing in Louisiana
Overview of the Louisiana State Polygraph Board
Creation and Statutory Authority
The Louisiana State Polygraph Board was created by the Louisiana State Legislature under the provisions of Louisiana Revised Statute 37:2835 Verified NOLA Polygraph - About Our Professional Polygraph Company
Confirms Louisiana examiners maintain licensure through the Polygraph Board and membership in APA and Louisiana Polygraph Association.
Certificate Renewal and Ongoing Obligations
Louisiana polygraph certificates are subject to termination and renewal requirements under RS 37:2847 Verified NOLA Polygraph - About Our Professional Polygraph Company
Confirms Louisiana examiners maintain licensure through the Polygraph Board and membership in APA and Louisiana Polygraph Association.
The Role of Professional Associations
Louisiana Polygraph Association (LAPE)
Beyond the state regulatory board, the Louisiana Polygraph Association serves as the professional community for polygraph examiners in the state Verified NOLA Polygraph - About Our Professional Polygraph Company
Confirms Louisiana examiners maintain licensure through the Polygraph Board and membership in APA and Louisiana Polygraph Association. Based in Saint Gabriel, Louisiana [27]Verified Louisiana Polygraph Association (Facebook Page)
Confirms the Louisiana Polygraph Association is based in Saint Gabriel, Louisiana, the association provides networking, continuing education, and professional development opportunities for its members. Many Louisiana examiners maintain active membership in both the state association and the American Polygraph Association, which formulates qualifications and ethical standards for polygraph examiners nationwide [14]Verified State v. Catanese, 368 So.2d 975 (La. 1979)
Confirms the Louisiana Supreme Court's policy of excluding polygraph evidence from criminal trials and its recognition of polygraph reliability under proper safeguards.
For a full overview of the state's professional polygraph community, visit our Louisiana Polygraph Association: Licensing & Standards guide. Examiners in neighboring states may also find value in exploring the California Association of Polygraph Examiners (CAPE) or the Michigan Association of Polygraph Examiners (MAPE) for comparison.
Advances in Polygraph Science and Louisiana's Framework
Modern Research Supporting Polygraph Testing
Louisiana's rigorous licensing framework is supported by ongoing advances in polygraph science. The Fifth Circuit's recognition of tremendous advances in polygraph instrumentation and technique [18]Verified United States v. Posado, 57 F.3d 428 (5th Cir. 1995)
Confirms Fifth Circuit recognized that per se rule against polygraph evidence did not survive Daubert and acknowledged tremendous advances in the field reflects a growing body of research validating modern polygraph methods. Content analysis research has demonstrated that algorithmic approaches can achieve accuracy rates as high as 96.87% for truthful statements [28]Verified Content analysis algorithms: an innovative and accurate approach to statement veracity assessment
Confirms MASAM with decision algorithms achieved 96.87% accuracy for truthful statements, while meta-analytic studies on the verifiability approach have confirmed that truth-tellers provide significantly more verifiable details than liars across multiple studies [29]Verified Discriminating deceptive from truthful statements using the verifiability approach: A meta-analysis
Confirms truth-tellers provided significantly more verifiable details than liars across 28 studies (d = 0.49).
Innovation in detection methodology continues to advance the field. Recent research has explored the use of gaming keyboards to detect response conflict, finding strong statistical evidence supporting detection capabilities with a Bayes Factor of 275 [30]Verified Assessing partial errors via analog gaming keyboards in response conflict tasks
Confirms probe trials showed strong statistical evidence (Bayes Factor = 275) supporting detection of response conflict. Techniques like the model statement approach have enabled successful discrimination between truth tellers and liars through quality scores and plausibility ratings Verified You cannot hide your telephone lies: Providing a model statement as an aid to detect deception
Confirms model statement technique enabled successful discrimination between truth tellers and liars. These scientific developments underscore the value of Louisiana's requirement that examiners complete rigorous training and stay current with professional standards.
For an in-depth exploration of current polygraph research, visit our Polygraph Research Database. It is also worth noting that researchers have cautioned against expanding polygraph testing beyond its validated applications, emphasizing the importance of proper scope and professional boundaries Verified Polygraph Testing and Social Intolerance: A Warning to Examiners Outside of the United States
Cautions against expanding polygraph testing beyond validated behavioral screening applications. This aligns with Louisiana's disciplinary framework, which specifically sanctions examiners who demonstrate unworthiness or incompetency [12]Verified Louisiana Revised Statutes § 37:2848 - Refusal, Suspension, or Revocation; Grounds
Confirms all ten grounds for certificate refusal, suspension, or revocation.
Meet Basic Eligibility Requirements
Ensure you are a high school graduate with no felony or misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude. These are threshold requirements under RS 37:2838.
Complete an Approved 270-Hour Training Program
Enroll in a polygraph training course of at least 270 hours over a minimum of six weeks at a school approved by the Louisiana Department of Education and the American Polygraph Association.
Complete a Six-Month Internship
Undertake a minimum six-month internship under the personal supervision and control of a Louisiana certified polygraphist, following a board-prescribed course of study.
Pass the Board Examination
Successfully pass the competency and integrity examination conducted by the Louisiana State Polygraph Board or under its supervision.
Receive Your Certificate and Maintain Compliance
Upon certification, display your certificate as required, report any address changes to the board, and fulfill ongoing renewal and continuing education requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a license required to conduct polygraph examinations in Louisiana?
Yes. Under RS 37:2837, it is unlawful for any person — including employees of any municipality, parish, or the state — to administer a polygraph examination in Louisiana without first being certified as a polygraphist by the Louisiana State Polygraph Board [10]Verified Louisiana Revised Statutes § 37:2837 - Unauthorized Practice
Confirms the prohibition on unlicensed polygraph practice and the student exception. The only narrow exception is for students conducting supervised, noncompensatory examinations during the final week of an approved polygraph school [10]Verified Louisiana Revised Statutes § 37:2837 - Unauthorized Practice
Confirms the prohibition on unlicensed polygraph practice and the student exception.
What are the certification requirements for Louisiana polygraph examiners?
Louisiana requires that applicants (1) have no felony or moral turpitude convictions, (2) hold a high school diploma, (3) complete a 270-hour polygraph training course with at least six months of internship training, and (4) pass a board-administered examination [7]Verified Louisiana Revised Statutes § 37:2838 - Polygraphist's Certification Qualifications
Confirms the four certification qualification requirements including 270-hour training and 6-month internship. Training must be completed at a school approved by the Louisiana Department of Education and the APA.
Can an out-of-state polygraph examiner practice in Louisiana?
Out-of-state examiners may be issued a Louisiana certificate without examination if they meet reciprocity requirements. They must demonstrate that their home state's licensing standards were substantially equivalent to Louisiana's at the time of licensing and that they have at least two years of lawful practice experience [11]Verified Louisiana Revised Statutes § 37:2841 - Out-of-State Polygraphist Applicants
Confirms reciprocity provisions including fee range and two-year practice requirement for out-of-state examiners. A fee between $50 and $100 is required.
What can the Louisiana Polygraph Board do if an examiner violates the rules?
The Board may refuse to issue, suspend, or revoke a polygraph examiner's certificate on ten specific grounds under RS 37:2848. These include failure to inform examinees of their rights, making false reports, criminal convictions, incompetency, and allowing uncertified persons to use one's certificate [12]Verified Louisiana Revised Statutes § 37:2848 - Refusal, Suspension, or Revocation; Grounds
Confirms all ten grounds for certificate refusal, suspension, or revocation. Affected examiners have the right to a board hearing and judicial review.
Is polygraph evidence admissible in Louisiana criminal trials?
Polygraph evidence is generally inadmissible in Louisiana criminal trials under the policy established in State v. Catanese (1979) [14]Verified State v. Catanese, 368 So.2d 975 (La. 1979)
Confirms the Louisiana Supreme Court's policy of excluding polygraph evidence from criminal trials and its recognition of polygraph reliability under proper safeguards. However, the Catanese court specifically noted that polygraph evidence could be used in post-trial proceedings and did not bar its use in all contexts [14]Verified State v. Catanese, 368 So.2d 975 (La. 1979)
Confirms the Louisiana Supreme Court's policy of excluding polygraph evidence from criminal trials and its recognition of polygraph reliability under proper safeguards. In administrative proceedings, hearing officers have discretion to admit polygraph evidence [16]Verified Evans v. Malone - Supreme Court of Louisiana (Administrative Proceedings)
Confirms polygraph evidence may be admissible in administrative proceedings under hearing officer discretion in Louisiana.
How did State v. Catanese lead to the creation of the Louisiana Polygraph Board?
In Catanese, the Louisiana Supreme Court cited the lack of a regulatory program for polygraph examiners as a key reason for excluding polygraph evidence from criminal trials [15]Verified State v. Hocum, 456 So.2d 602 (La. 1984)
Confirms the Catanese policy reasons for excluding polygraph evidence including lack of regulatory program. The Court stated it could not effectively regulate or discipline examiners [14]Verified State v. Catanese, 368 So.2d 975 (La. 1979)
Confirms the Louisiana Supreme Court's policy of excluding polygraph evidence from criminal trials and its recognition of polygraph reliability under proper safeguards. This directly prompted the legislature to create the Louisiana State Polygraph Board through Acts 1980, No. 761, establishing the licensing and oversight framework that exists today [7]Verified Louisiana Revised Statutes § 37:2838 - Polygraphist's Certification Qualifications
Confirms the four certification qualification requirements including 270-hour training and 6-month internship.
What instruments are approved for use by Louisiana polygraph examiners?
Louisiana requires that polygraph instruments permanently and simultaneously record cardiovascular, respiratory, and galvanic skin response patterns [9]Verified Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) - Louisiana (Instrument Standards)
Confirms instrument standards requiring cardiovascular, respiratory, and galvanic skin response recording. Instruments may also record other physiological changes. The statute defines the minimum instrumentation requirements to ensure consistency and quality across all examinations conducted in the state [2]Verified Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 37, § 2833 - Definitions
Confirms statutory definitions for the Board, internship, polygraph, polygraphist, and related terms.
How do I file a complaint against a polygraph examiner in Louisiana?
Complaints against certified polygraphists can be directed to the Louisiana State Polygraph Board. Under RS 37:2848(10), once a formal complaint is filed, the examiner is required to provide requested information within thirty calendar days [12]Verified Louisiana Revised Statutes § 37:2848 - Refusal, Suspension, or Revocation; Grounds
Confirms all ten grounds for certificate refusal, suspension, or revocation. The Board will investigate and may hold a hearing under RS 37:2850 if disciplinary action is warranted [13]Verified Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 37 - Table of Contents (Polygraph Chapter)
Confirms the complete statutory structure from RS 37:2835 through RS 37:2854 including hearing, review, and penalty provisions. Contact the Board at 110 Highway 1187, Mansura, LA 71350-4810, or by email at [email protected] [5]Verified State Licensing Boards & Associations - American Polygraph Association
Confirms Louisiana Polygraph Board contact information and location in Mansura, LA.
Does Louisiana have state-level employee polygraph protection laws?
No. Louisiana does not have state-level polygraph protection requirements for employees [22]Verified Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) - Louisiana (EPPA Federal Coverage)
Confirms Louisiana has no state-level polygraph protection requirements and relies on federal EPPA. Private-sector employees are covered by the federal Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) at 29 CFR Part 801, which prohibits most non-governmental employers from requiring polygraph tests with certain exceptions [22]Verified Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) - Louisiana (EPPA Federal Coverage)
Confirms Louisiana has no state-level polygraph protection requirements and relies on federal EPPA[23]Verified Loyola University New Orleans Pro Bono Desk Manual - Polygraph Testing
Confirms the EPPA prohibits most non-governmental employers from using polygraph tests with stated exceptions.
Where can I book a lie detector test in Louisiana?
Sources & References
Confirms the Board was created under RS 37:2835 and details its financial structure and employee benefits
Confirms statutory definitions for the Board, internship, polygraph, polygraphist, and related terms
Confirms Louisiana licensing requirements including 270-hour training, 6-month internship, and instrument standards under RS 37:2831 et seq.
Confirms the Louisiana State Polygraph Board is placed within the Office of the Governor under RS 37:2831 et seq.
Confirms Louisiana Polygraph Board contact information and location in Mansura, LA
Confirms Rusty Bordelon as administrative secretary of the state Polygraph Board and details examination protocols
Confirms the four certification qualification requirements including 270-hour training and 6-month internship
Confirms general requirements for polygraph examiner training and internship processes
Confirms instrument standards requiring cardiovascular, respiratory, and galvanic skin response recording
Confirms the prohibition on unlicensed polygraph practice and the student exception
Confirms reciprocity provisions including fee range and two-year practice requirement for out-of-state examiners
Confirms all ten grounds for certificate refusal, suspension, or revocation
Confirms the complete statutory structure from RS 37:2835 through RS 37:2854 including hearing, review, and penalty provisions
Confirms the Louisiana Supreme Court's policy of excluding polygraph evidence from criminal trials and its recognition of polygraph reliability under proper safeguards
Confirms the Catanese policy reasons for excluding polygraph evidence including lack of regulatory program
Confirms polygraph evidence may be admissible in administrative proceedings under hearing officer discretion in Louisiana
Establishes the general acceptance test for scientific evidence admissibility that governed polygraph evidence for 70 years
Confirms Fifth Circuit recognized that per se rule against polygraph evidence did not survive Daubert and acknowledged tremendous advances in the field
Confirms the Supreme Court upheld military polygraph ban but did not create a blanket constitutional prohibition
Established framework for conditional admissibility of polygraph evidence under certain conditions including party stipulation
Confirms Ninth Circuit abandoned per se exclusion of polygraph evidence and left admissibility to district court discretion
Confirms Louisiana has no state-level polygraph protection requirements and relies on federal EPPA
Confirms the EPPA prohibits most non-governmental employers from using polygraph tests with stated exceptions
Confirms Louisiana State Police uses polygraph examinations for security sensitive positions with standardized procedures
Confirms the Louisiana Polygraph Association is based in Saint Gabriel, Louisiana
Confirms MASAM with decision algorithms achieved 96.87% accuracy for truthful statements
Confirms truth-tellers provided significantly more verifiable details than liars across 28 studies (d = 0.49)
Confirms probe trials showed strong statistical evidence (Bayes Factor = 275) supporting detection of response conflict
Confirms model statement technique enabled successful discrimination between truth tellers and liars
Cautions against expanding polygraph testing beyond validated behavioral screening applications
To work with an examiner who meets the state board's standards, find a lie detector test near you and compare current pricing at professional Louisiana locations.