Bail Bondsman License and Continuing Education
Approximately 14,500 bail bondsman work in the United States, according to the Professional Bail Agents of the United States (PBUS), As an average, also according to PBUS, a bail agent you can make anywhere between $25,000 and $50,000 per year, but, before you go and get your license there are a few things you should know about the bail bond business.
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Bail Bondsman
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Evaluate your market, according to PBUS, before you apply to get your license as a bail bondsman. Since you will be bailing criminals out of jail it will help if you talk with your local law enforcement offices to get their input about your business and build a relationship with them. Talking with local prosecuting attorneys and judges is also a good way to get valuable information about the judicial system and what they can do for you. Evaluate your competition to determine if it would be wise to start a bail bond business in your area. Another consideration is: does your state allow bail bondsman because some states do not have commercial bail--Illinois, Kentucky, Oregon and Wisconsin.
Education
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To begin, according to Bail Yes.com, you must be 18 years of age or older to become a bail bondsman. Another requirement is that, in most cases, you will need to attend 12 or more hours of classroom study before getting your license as a bail bondsman. In this class you will learn about providing bail bonds, the rights of the accused and ethical business practices. Another educational avenue to consider is obtaining a degree in law enforcement, which will give you many of the skills that are needed especially if you are doing your own fugitive recoveries.
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Training
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You may be required to work with a licensed bail bondsman before you get your license, according to Criminal Justice-Schools-Degrees.com This is a good way to start a career as a bail bondsman because it can lead to valuable contacts that you can use in the future.
Insurance/Collateral
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Another consideration to keep in mind is that, according to Bail Insurance.com, many states require that you have proof that you can pay for any forfeited bonds. A surety company will provide insurance that guarantees your bonds will be paid in the event your client does not appear in court. Sometimes, according to Greg Rynerson Bail Bonds, a bail bondsman will ask for collateral to secure your bond. This collateral can be in the form of cash, or property. There are other instances in which a bail bondsman will allow you to sign for your bond without collateral, called a signature bond, depending on your credit history and your stability in your community.
Continuing Education
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Taking continuing education classes are required in some states for you to be able to renew your bail bondsman license. For example, according to the Bail Resource Center, if you live in California it is required that you annually take a minimum of 6 hours of continuing education classes from a state approved program before you renew your license.
Final Considerations
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Keep in mind, according to Criminal Justice-Schools-Degrees.com, that you can not become a bail bondsman if you have any prior criminal convictions. This is why you have to undergo a background check, and be fingerprinted. Plus, you will also need to have a valid driver's license from your state to become licensed as a bail bondsman.
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References
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