{"id":4733,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:41","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/employment-law-and-human-resources\/lie-detector-tests.html"},"modified":"2026-09-01T08:47:19","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T13:47:19","slug":"lie-detector-tests","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/employment-law-and-human-resources\/lie-detector-tests.html","title":{"rendered":"Can an Employer Use a Lie Detector Test on an Applicant or Employee?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Can an Employer Use a Lie Detector Test on an Applicant or Employee?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

The <\/span>Employee Polygraph Protection Act<\/span> (EPPA<\/span>) is a federal law<\/span> that makes it illegal for most private employers<\/span> to use lie detector tests<\/span> for pre-employment screening<\/span> or during employment. This law prevents businesses from requiring employees or job applicants<\/span> to take a polygraph and from using test results in employment decisions. There are very limited exceptions, such as during investigations into a specific economic loss, which are governed by strict procedural rules.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Employers have used polygraphs or \u201clie detector\u201d tests in hiring decisions or in the course of employment<\/span>. Despite often being called a lie detector, a polygraph can\u2019t tell whether someone is lying. The machine measures four to six physiological responses, such as respiration, blood pressure, and heart rate. The theory is that lying causes stress reactions, which a trained examiner analyzes. Employers should know the rules for\u00a0using polygraphs, or they may face penalties and lawsuits.<\/p>\n

General Rule: Employers Can\u2019t Use Lie Detector Tests<\/span><\/h2>\n

The <\/span>Employee Polygraph Protection Act<\/span> (EPPA<\/span>)<\/a> is a federal law<\/span> that prohibits employers from using lie detectors for\u00a0pre-employment screening<\/span>\u00a0or\u00a0using the results against workers. Under the EPPA<\/span>, small business<\/span> owners may not:<\/p>\n