How to Become a Bounty Hunter in Arizona

What are bounty hunters? Another name for bounty hunters is “bail recovery agents.” These are people who are generally employed by bail bond companies and who are legally authorized to locate and capture individuals who have skipped out on their bond contracts (usually by failing to appear at their required court hearings). Successful bounty hunters can earn considerable incomes. Legal requirements to become a bounty hunter in Arizona include the absence of a felony conviction and convictions related to possession of deadly weapons. You will have to pay a fee for renewal of your license every three years, and you will be required to complete a certified continuing education course (20 hours) on a biennial basis.

Things You'll Need

• License
• License application fees
• Knowledge of state, local and federal laws regarding bounty hunters
• Reliable transportation/fuel
• Handcuffs
• Telephone
• Cellular phone and service (recommended)
• Computer system with internet access (recommended)
• Continuing education courses

Instructions

1. Investigate what the requirements are for becoming a bounty hunter in Arizona. You should also read court case decisions that have involved bounty hunters. You will be expected to know all the laws related to this career. Information about relevant case law can be found at the Fugitive Recovery website.

2. Consider attending one of the nation’s few bail recovery agent schools. Another form of good training is to accompany a licensed bounty hunter on some excursions (but do not participate in any way) to see exactly what bail recovery agents really do.

3. Contact bail bond companies and inquire as to whether they are hiring bail recovery agents. You cannot operate as a bounty hunter without having an employment contract with an Arizona-licensed bail bond company.

4. Go to your local police station and request that the police fingerprint you and complete an FBI criminal record search fingerprint card. The police will likely charge you a small fee for this service. Later, you will send this completed fingerprint card along with your license application. The Department of Public Safety will conduct a background investigation and criminal record search.

5. Submit your application, check for the appropriate application fee and your fingerprint card to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS).

6. Appeal denial of your license if your license is denied and if you feel that you have a good legal basis for contesting the actions of the DPS.

7. Begin work and start making money capturing fugitives.

Tips & Warnings

• You will need to have “people skills” to succeed as a bounty hunter. Similar to requirements for private investigators, you will need to be able to elicit information from people, often requiring some acting skills.

• Bounty hunting is a dangerous business. You must know how to handle and protect yourself. You’ll also encounter intense interaction with many individuals who are fugitives from justice.

Resources

• This web page contains the various relevant Arizona laws that apply to Arizona bounty hunters. This list is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of applicable laws. You’ll need to also comply with federal and local laws.