Can someone clarify what happens if I fail a polygraph from FBI? First one was inconclusive

SECURITY CLEARANCE Q&A
1

I’m wanting clarification on what happens if I fail an FBI polygraph. My first polygraph with them was inconclusive but I have an opportunity to retake it. What happens if I take the polygraph for a second time and I fail it?

I am only interested in knowing how failing a polygraph at the federal level, with FBI in this case, how that will affect my future federal background investigations with other agencies. I will no longer apply for law enforcement positions after this, so at the very least, the positions I apply for will have no clearance to perhaps a Secret clearance.

Let’s say I get a job offer with Department of Agriculture that requires no clearance. Will USDA know I took a polygraph with the FBI? Will they know my results?

Now let’s say that I get a job offer with Transportation Security Administration and the position requires only a Secret clearance. Will TSA know I took a polygraph with the FBI? Will they know my results?

Thanks in advance.

2

If you fail the FBI polygraph, you’ll be barred for life from FBI employment. If in the future you apply for employment with another federal agency that requires a security clearance, the fact that you have an FBI file will show up when a national agency check is conducted, and it will be sought for review and then the polygraph could have a bearing on your ability to obtain a security clearance. I don’t know whether an agency that does not require a security clearance would learn of your polygraph results.

3

And what if I do not take the second polygraph and drop out from the process with the first result of inconclusive? Will non-national security agencies, let’s say Department of Agriculture or Housing Urban Development, will they notice my inconclusive results, or know at all that I had a polygraph once those non-national security agencies start a background investigation for my new position?

Again, all of this is assuming I do not take the second polygraph and just have the inconclusive from the first polygraph.

4

“If in the future you apply for employment with another federal agency that requires a security clearance, the fact that you have an FBI file will show up when a national agency check is conducted, and it will be sought for review and then the polygraph could have a bearing on your ability to obtain a security clearance.”

For my current federal position, I already have a Secret clearance with another law enforcement agency. Been with them for almost 5 years.

5

I think that having just an inconclusive outcome would have less potential to cause career harm then a “failed” polygraph.

I do not know whether non-national security agencies might gain access to your polygraph results.

A failed FBI polygraph could adversely affect your ability to maintain a secret clearance with your current agency.

6

They might. It’s OPM that does your background not those agencies. I think a NAG is done for any position in the government is it not? Isn’t the National Agency Check done for the most basic background.

This leads to a good question. What agencies are checked during a NAC and what exactly happens in one?

7

This is what I would like to find out with 100% certainty. Hopefully others will chime in with their thoughts on this.

8

This is what I would like to know for 100% certainty.

NAG?

9

Sorry meant to say NAC national agency check.

10

i like NAG better…it just seems fitting.

11

Ha!

Do you have any input regarding my question/situation?

Thanks.

12

Not really. We are prohibited from discussing most details of the investigation process. Not hiding it from you specifically but from characters looking for ways to subvert the system.

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