Polygraph Examiners
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News and Updates
TDLR Notice of Rule Review
August 24, 2017
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (Department) is reviewing the Polygraph Examiners program (Title 16, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 88) for re-adoption, revision, or repeal.
The Department will determine whether the reasons for adopting or readopting these rules continue to exist by answering the following questions for each rule:
- Is it obsolete?
- Does it reflect current legal and policy considerations?
- Is it in alignment with the current procedures of the Department?
The Department encourages anyone interested in the Polygraph Examiners program to review the Notice of Intent and current Chapter 88 rules online. Comments may be submitted by email to erule.comments@tdlr.texas.gov
Deadline for comments: September 24, 2018
Vacancy on the Polygraph Advisory Committee
September 27, 2017
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation announces a vacancy on the Polygraph Advisory Committee established by Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1701. The announcement will be published in the October 6, 2017 issue of the Texas Register.
This announcement is for a public member. Serving on the advisory board is not a paid position and there is no compensation for serving on the advisory board.
Interested persons should submit an application on the Department's Advisory Board Application System. Applicants can also request an application from the Department by telephone (800) 803-9202 or e-mail advisory.boards@tdlr.texas.gov.
Polygraph Advisory Committee Votes Against Use of Voice Stress Analysis
November 15, 2014
The Polygraph Advisory Committee voted unanimously against allowing Texas polygraph examiners to use voice stress analyzers to detect deception and to verify truth, at its November 4, 2014, public meeting in Austin. The Committee vote was made in response to changes to the Texas Polygraph Examiners Act created by passage last year of Senate Bill 562 by the Texas Legislature to allow the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to expand those devices authorized for use by polygraph examiners. Lie detectors, polygraphs, and deceptographs are the only devices currently authorized by TDLR for use by polygraph examiners. The five-member Committee is responsible for advising TDLR, which licenses 272 polygraph examiners, on how to administer and enforce the Act.
"The Polygraph Advisory Committee reviewed scientific evidence and the feedback it received in March at the Texas Polygraph Summit before concluding that neither voice stress analysis nor computerized voice stress analysis are scientifically valid to detect truth or deception," said William K. 'Bill' Teigen, Committee Chairman. "As a result our Committee strongly urges TDLR not add any form of voice stress analysis to those instruments authorized for use by polygraph examiners to detect truth or deception in the Lone Star State."
Advisory Committee Meetings
Canceled - February 5, 2019 Meeting
The Polygraph Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 5, 2019 has been canceled. When the meeting is rescheduled, the date will be posted online.
January 31, 2018 Meeting
The Polygraph Advisory Committee met January 31 in Austin. The agenda and staff reports (PDF) are available online. The meeting was archived and is available on TDLR's YouTube channel.