A: First thing, if the state you are in requires licensing, make sure the examiner has a current license. Less than half of the states in the U.S. have this requirement. Next, make sure the examiner has been "certified." Every examiner must attend a polygraph training program which lasts 7 to 8 weeks (or longer if trained with the government). After graduation, the examiner must conduct a certain number of exams during an "internship"
period. After the internship (usually one year) the school reviews the examiner's work and grants the certification if this work was done to standards. After certification, most examiners must complete a certain amount of continuing education or advanced training programs. Beware of an examiner who's been operating for 25 years but has not taken advanced training in many years. Technology changes and examiners must keep current with these changes. Look for professional affiliations and membership, such as the American Polygraph Association or other similar groups which set professional standards for examiners. Finally, make sure the examiner has experience with the type of exam you need done. An examiner with 10 years experience testing rapists and murderers may not be the right person to see if your 15 year old daughter stole money from someones locker.