# HELP……Unsuccessful FS polygraph while being completely honest **URL:** \ **Category:** SECURITY CLEARANCE Q&A\ **Created:** [October 25, 2025, 11:09am UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/help-unsuccessful-fs-polygraph-while-being-completely-honest/21434 "2025-10-25T11:09:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![latoshawalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@latoshawalker](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/latoshawalker)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2025, 11:09am UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/help-unsuccessful-fs-polygraph-while-being-completely-honest/21434/1 "2025-10-25T11:09:13Z")
I have read a lot of discussion about failing NSA poly. I wonder if it’s standard procedure that everyone fail at least once. I’m going into month 7 of this process and it’s quite frustrating. I was completely honest in my SF86 and the pre-interview only to be told I was unsuccessful, specifically regarding the serious crimes portion. I WAS NOT concealing anything. I was not hired directly by NSA, I work for a contractor. I’m wondering if the procedures are different, i.e., will I get another chance? The examiner said I needed to reschedule, but I just don’t know what to do. ---
**Author:** ![Bigfruitcake](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/bigfruitcake/32/2119_2.png) [@Bigfruitcake](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/Bigfruitcake)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2025, 3:20pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/help-unsuccessful-fs-polygraph-while-being-completely-honest/21434/2 "2025-10-25T15:20:20Z")
Procedures are the same for everyone, you will have to take it again. I passed first try but that is pretty rare. Everyone I know had to take it at least twice. Also, 7 months isn’t long at all. Average timeline is 12-18 months. You’ve got a while to go. Hang in there. ---
**Author:** ![john\_smith2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/john_smith2/32/2325_2.png) [@john\_smith2](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/john_smith2)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2025, 4:15pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/help-unsuccessful-fs-polygraph-while-being-completely-honest/21434/3 "2025-10-25T16:15:19Z")
Completely normal. Im going for my third polygraph while being completely honest the entire time. I hear most people go from 2-4 times. Just follow the process. ---
**Author:** ![sbusquirrel](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/sbusquirrel/32/34_2.png) [@sbusquirrel](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/sbusquirrel)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 3:54pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/help-unsuccessful-fs-polygraph-while-being-completely-honest/21434/4 "2025-10-26T15:54:09Z")
> [@latoshawalker](#): > > I was not hired directly by NSA, I work for a contractor. I’m wondering if the procedures are different, i.e., will I get another chance? The examiner said I needed to reschedule, but I just don’t know what to do. NSA will usually give you several attempts. Not sure what your contracting company will do. As @Bigfruitcake notes, passing on the first try is rather unusual. Two tries seems pretty standard and three tries is not at all unusual. Do YOU need to reschedule or will they reach out to you? I think they will contact you. Maybe they go through the company that hired you (or has made some kind of conditional offer). ---
**Author:** ![latoshawalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@latoshawalker](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/latoshawalker)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2025, 11:08am UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/help-unsuccessful-fs-polygraph-while-being-completely-honest/21434/5 "2025-10-28T11:08:41Z")
I informed the contractor of the unsuccessful attempt. I was told that they’d keep me posted on the new date. I will follow up to ensure that it was requested. Thank you for your feedback. ---
**Author:** ![latoshawalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@latoshawalker](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/latoshawalker)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2025, 11:08am UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/help-unsuccessful-fs-polygraph-while-being-completely-honest/21434/6 "2025-10-28T11:08:46Z")
Thank you for your feedback. I truly appreciate it. ---
**Author:** ![latoshawalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@latoshawalker](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/latoshawalker)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2025, 11:08am UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/help-unsuccessful-fs-polygraph-while-being-completely-honest/21434/7 "2025-10-28T11:08:53Z")
Thank you so much for your feedback. I was feeling discouraged, but I will trust the process.