Clearances and Polygraphs?

I was told that everyone applying for a Secret security clearance gets a polygraph test, while somebody else told me that only people who are inconsistent in the information then give have to take one.

I don鈥檛 have anything to hide, but my dad (works for the federal courts in DC) says that the polygraph machine is 鈥渢he stupidest invention ever鈥? and that it is a very subjective process. He continued to say that it will say you are wrong years before it says that you are telling the truth.

I guess I am more scared that it will say that I am lying, even when I am not. So do I have to take a polygraph test regardless? And how accurate are they?

It depends on the agency you're going to be working for, but in most agencies a polygraph test is not required for just a Secret clearance. Some agencies like the FBI require a polygraph test for a Top Secret clearance, but in other agencies (like the Air Force) Top Secret clearances are routinely granted without polygraphs. A polygraph test is more likely if the job requires a Top Secret clearance plus access to what is called Special Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) or Special Access Programs.

Also, while it is true that you can refuse to take a polygraph test if you don't want to, that means they won't process your security clearance if a polygraph test is required for it, so you probably won't get the job. It's just like those government forms that say providing your Social Security number is "voluntary," but that the form won't be processed if you don't fill it out completely.

Finally, how accurate polygraph tests are is controversial. Let's just say that polygraph results are generally not admissible in court because the courts have determined that there is no scientific consensus that they're reliable enough for testimonial purposes. The agencies that use them realize that some honest people will produce false positives and some dishonest people will produce false negatives, but figure that on balance the test is more useful than not.

Polygraphs have no scientific basis of proof behind them.

No government Department of corporation can REQUIRE that you take one for the job. It merely looks bad if you don't take one.

I would like to think that they can in fact detect lies, but that has yet to be proven.

You do not have to take that test.