How to Become a Bounty Hunter
The law enforcement professional who tracks down and returns defendants who violate the terms of their bail are called bounty hunters, bail agents or bail enforcement agents, depending on the state in which they operate. In exchange for returning the defendants to police custody, bounty hunters receive payment from the bail bondsman who initially facilitated the defendant's bail. Each state has its own requirements for individuals who want to act as bounty hunters. However, in most cases, you must take licensing classes, submit to a background check and apply with the state insurance commission.
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Instructions
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Check that you meet the initial requirements, which generally include that you are at least 21 years old and have no felony criminal convictions.
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Take the licensing classes from an approved source, which will be on a list provided by the state's insurance commission. Fees may vary depending on the school you take the classes with.
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Submit information for a background check through an approved law enforcement agency or fingerprint scanning agency. Fees may vary by agency.
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Complete the bounty hunter application from your state's insurance commission with all of the requested information, including your professional background, criminal background and Social Security number. Mail the application back to the insurance commission at the address on the application along with a check or money order for the applicable fees.
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Pass the written exam based on the laws applicable to bail enforcement in your state.
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Tips & Warnings
In almost all cases, you will not submit your background information to the insurance commission yourself. The agency you pay to take your fingerprints and conduct a background check will send that information directly to the commission for you.
If you fail the written exam, you often have to pay another exam fee to retake it.
All fees are generally non-refundable.
Any inaccurate information on your bail enforcement application can result in automatic denial or revocation of your bounty hunter license.
Each state has its own regulations regarding bounty hunter. The process to become a bounty hunter will vary depending on the state in which you want to act as a bounty hunter. For state specific information, contact that state's insurance commission for their bounty hunter regulations.
