U.S Marshals Service

U.S. Border Patrol

You'll find that, for the most part, the only federal agencies that utilize the polygraph for routine pre-employment screening are those that require another "weeding" process due to the large volume of applications received.

Other agencies that don't routinely polygraph in addition to those already named:  Diplomatic Security Service (ironic, huh?), Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI), Army Criminal Investigations Division (Army CID), US Coast Guard Investigative Service (USCGIS), IRS Criminal Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (perhaps soon to be known as Investigations and Criminal Enforcement?), many Inspector General offices, in fact most of the federal law enforcement agencies do not routinely polygraph.

Your "big" agencies (i.e. well-known) use it routinely and many of the above will make you sign an agreement allowing them to subject you to a polygraph if they feel it is necessary.  Doesn't usually happen.  If you are qualified based on stated standards, apply and you shouldn't need a polygraph at any point in the process.

Malone,

Yes, the Postal Service does polygraph for Postal Inspector (Special Agent) positions.  Honestly, I couldn't comment as to the nature of their polygraph sessions.  I have found, in my experience, that I see many more accounts of  bad polygraph experiences relating to FBI and US Secret Service.  Occasionally I'll read about DEA as well.  Haven't seen much about the Postal Service.  This could be attributed, although, to the fact that there are less applicants involved with that agency in comparison to the others.

However, a polygraph is a polygraph - they use the same tactics and procedures in order to accomplish the same thing.  If you are applying, good luck.

@ George W. Maschke

I know this may be 19 years later, but do you know if they still don't do any poly's for US Marshals?

@ George W. Maschke

George W. Maschke wrote on Apr 11^th, 2023 at 7:42am:


Thank you so much for responding to my question again I know this is so far after. I am considering on applying for the US Marshals real soon. I just wanted to be aware of requirements because everything online that I have been finding has been back and forth on that question about the polygraph.

George W. Maschke wrote on Apr 11^th, 2023 at 9:47am:


Awesome, thank you! Also I will be reading your book. It is currently 4:33am where I am so later in my day today I will start it. I will let you know how it goes for me another day when I finish it.