Pre-Employment Screening — Exempt Employers
Read this one carefully, because the honest answer disappoints most callers: the great majority of private employers in Georgia may not lawfully polygraph a job applicant. The federal Employee Polygraph Protection Act prohibits it, and there is no Georgia exception that restores the option.
We say this plainly because a number of firms will happily take the booking and let the employer discover the problem later. If your business does not fall inside one of the categories below, we will tell you so on the phone and you will not be charged for finding out.
Who may still test applicants
- Federal, state and local government employers. The Act does not apply to public employers, which is why law enforcement and corrections agencies across Georgia continue to screen applicants routinely.
- Security service firms whose business includes armored car, alarm or guard services, and then only for applicants who would protect facilities or assets affecting public safety or national security.
- Manufacturers, distributors and dispensers of controlled substances, for applicants who would have direct access to those substances.
- Certain federal contractors engaged in national security intelligence or counterintelligence work.
Even inside an exemption the examination is regulated rather than free-form. There are required disclosures, limits on the questions that may be asked, and a rule that the result alone cannot be the sole basis of an adverse decision. We conduct these examinations to those standards and document that we did.
Law enforcement applicants
Applicants to Georgia police departments, sheriff’s offices and corrections agencies are frequently sent for a pre-employment examination by the agency itself. If you are an applicant who has been asked to attend an agency’s own examination, note that we cannot take that appointment for them — agencies use their own examiners. What we can offer is an independent examination beforehand if you want one, on the clear understanding that it carries no weight with the hiring agency and is for your own information only.
What this covers
- Eligibility under EPPA checked before any booking is taken
- Government, security service, controlled-substance and federal-contractor categories
- Required disclosures issued and documented
- Questions kept within the limits the Act allows
- No charge for a call that establishes you are not eligible
Discuss this before you book
Tell us what you need answered and we will tell you honestly whether this is the right examination for it.
Other services
Relationship & Infidelity Testing
For couples trying to settle a question of fidelity honestly and privately.
Criminal Defense & Specific Issue
Single-issue examinations for people facing an allegation, usually instructed by counsel.
Attorney & Legal Instructions
Examinations instructed by counsel in criminal, family and civil matters.