How to Become a Bail Bondsman in Tennessee

Bail agents, or bondsmen, are individuals who ensure that a defendant will appear in court if released from incarceration. If the defendant is not present in court when required, the bail bondsman must either find the defendant and deliver him to jail or pay the full price of the defendant's bail. If the bondsman does deliver the defendant as promised, she will be paid for this service. Because of the personal financial risk involved in bail bonding, many bondsmen require defendants to pay some type of collateral upon their release. Tennessee is one of only a few states that do not require testing and continuing education to become a bail bondsman.

Things You'll Need

• Uniform Application for Individual Insurance Producer License
• $50 application fee
• Social Security number
• Copy of criminal record
• Insurance licenses

Instructions

1. Obtain a copy of your criminal record. Tennessee residents can do this at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, [phone].

2. Contact the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance via their website or by calling [phone] to make sure you meet all eligibility requirements. To be a bail bondsman, you must be at least 18 years of age and have no felony charges on your criminal record.

3. Obtain the license numbers of any insurance licenses you currently hold if you are not a resident of Tennessee. You may not obtain a bond license in Tennessee unless you are a resident or are currently holding a similar license in another state. If you had a license in another state that expired in the past 90 days, you can use it to qualify for a Tennessee license only if you obtain written certification from the licensing agency that your license was in good standing when it lapsed.

4. Obtain and carefully fill out all parts of the Uniform Application for Individual Insurance Producer License. This form can be obtained at the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance using the contact information shown in Step 1. It is important to fill out this form as completely and accurately as possible. The insurance department does not accept incomplete forms, so be sure to call and ask any questions you have when completing the form.

5. Send in your application along with the application fee and a copy of your criminal record.

6. Secure bail insurance from a licensed insurance company while waiting for your license to arrive. This insurance covers you if are unable to deliver a defendant and it becomes necessary for you to pay a defendant's bond. You may not begin working as a bail bondsmen in the state of Tennessee until you obtain this insurance.

7. Keep your bail bondsmen license current by learning, understanding and following all applicable Tennessee laws and reporting requirements governing the bail bondsmen profession in Tennessee.

Tips & Warnings

• Personal checks and cash are not accepted as payment of the application fee. Submit your application fee via money order, certified check, cashier's check or insurance company check.

Resources

• Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance
• American Bail Coalition: Tennessee bail laws
• State of Tennessee licensing procedures
• Tennessee Bureau of Investigation: Obtain Tennessee criminal records