# Can someone clarify what happens if I fail a polygraph from FBI? First one was inconclusive **URL:** \ **Category:** SECURITY CLEARANCE Q&A\ **Created:** [May 4, 2021, 8:09pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/can-someone-clarify-what-happens-if-i-fail-a-polygraph-from-fbi-first-one-was-inconclusive/13060 "2021-05-04T20:09:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![puppiesandrainbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/41988e/32.png) [@puppiesandrainbows](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/puppiesandrainbows)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2021, 8:09pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/can-someone-clarify-what-happens-if-i-fail-a-polygraph-from-fbi-first-one-was-inconclusive/13060/1 "2021-05-04T20:09:35Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![AntiPolygraph.org](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/antipolygraph.org/32/233_2.png) [@AntiPolygraph.org](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/AntiPolygraph.org)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2021, 8:38pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/can-someone-clarify-what-happens-if-i-fail-a-polygraph-from-fbi-first-one-was-inconclusive/13060/2 "2021-05-04T20:38:33Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![puppiesandrainbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/41988e/32.png) [@puppiesandrainbows](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/puppiesandrainbows)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2021, 9:24pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/can-someone-clarify-what-happens-if-i-fail-a-polygraph-from-fbi-first-one-was-inconclusive/13060/3 "2021-05-04T21:24:58Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![puppiesandrainbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/41988e/32.png) [@puppiesandrainbows](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/puppiesandrainbows)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2021, 9:25pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/can-someone-clarify-what-happens-if-i-fail-a-polygraph-from-fbi-first-one-was-inconclusive/13060/4 "2021-05-04T21:25:04Z")
“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. ---
**Author:** ![AntiPolygraph.org](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/antipolygraph.org/32/233_2.png) [@AntiPolygraph.org](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/AntiPolygraph.org)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2021, 8:25am UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/can-someone-clarify-what-happens-if-i-fail-a-polygraph-from-fbi-first-one-was-inconclusive/13060/5 "2021-05-05T08:25:58Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![SCJD1234](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@SCJD1234](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/SCJD1234)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2021, 11:25am UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/can-someone-clarify-what-happens-if-i-fail-a-polygraph-from-fbi-first-one-was-inconclusive/13060/6 "2021-05-05T11:25:28Z")
> [@puppiesandrainbows](#): > > 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. 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? ---
**Author:** ![puppiesandrainbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/41988e/32.png) [@puppiesandrainbows](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/puppiesandrainbows)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2021, 4:16pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/can-someone-clarify-what-happens-if-i-fail-a-polygraph-from-fbi-first-one-was-inconclusive/13060/7 "2021-05-05T16:16:26Z")
> [@AntiPolygraph.org](#): > > I do not know whether non-national security agencies might gain access to your polygraph results. This is what I would like to find out with 100% certainty. Hopefully others will chime in with their thoughts on this. ---
**Author:** ![puppiesandrainbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/41988e/32.png) [@puppiesandrainbows](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/puppiesandrainbows)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2021, 4:16pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/can-someone-clarify-what-happens-if-i-fail-a-polygraph-from-fbi-first-one-was-inconclusive/13060/8 "2021-05-05T16:16:38Z")
> [@SCJD1234](#): > > They might This is what I would like to know for 100% certainty. > [@SCJD1234](#): > > I think a NAG is done for any position in the government is it not? NAG? ---
**Author:** ![SCJD1234](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@SCJD1234](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/SCJD1234)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2021, 7:51pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/can-someone-clarify-what-happens-if-i-fail-a-polygraph-from-fbi-first-one-was-inconclusive/13060/9 "2021-05-05T19:51:10Z")
Sorry meant to say NAC national agency check. ---
**Author:** ![backgdinvestigator](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/backgdinvestigator/32/209_2.png) [@backgdinvestigator](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/backgdinvestigator)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2021, 12:29pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/can-someone-clarify-what-happens-if-i-fail-a-polygraph-from-fbi-first-one-was-inconclusive/13060/10 "2021-05-06T12:29:25Z")
i like NAG better…it just seems fitting. ---
**Author:** ![puppiesandrainbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/41988e/32.png) [@puppiesandrainbows](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/puppiesandrainbows)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2021, 4:48pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/can-someone-clarify-what-happens-if-i-fail-a-polygraph-from-fbi-first-one-was-inconclusive/13060/11 "2021-05-06T16:48:56Z")
Ha! Do you have any input regarding my question/situation? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![backgdinvestigator](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/backgdinvestigator/32/209_2.png) [@backgdinvestigator](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/backgdinvestigator)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2021, 12:15am UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/can-someone-clarify-what-happens-if-i-fail-a-polygraph-from-fbi-first-one-was-inconclusive/13060/12 "2021-05-07T00:15:17Z")
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.