Qualifications to Become a Bounty Hunter
A bounty hunter or bond enforcement agent apprehends fugitives for a cash reward. The bounty hunter may work for a bail bonds agency capturing fugitives who fail to appear for court appearances after the agency has posted bail. Some states require bounty hunters to be licensed and undergo specific training to work in the profession while others allow professionals to operate without a license.
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Education
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A bounty hunter position does not require a college degree, but some states require agents to undergo a training program to learn specific state laws regarding fugitive apprehension in the state. Bond enforcement agents may benefit from courses in private investigation to learn techniques for locating fugitives. Skip tracing--locating a person's whereabouts--is a function of bounty hunting, but it is only one aspect of the job. The bounty hunter can benefit from learning methods to locate a missing fugitive in the same way debt collectors or vehicle apprehension agents locate a missing debtor.
Background
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Some states require a criminal background check for a bond enforcement agent to be licensed to work in the state. For example, the Connecticut Department of Public Safety requires licensees to supply fingerprints, a driving record, character references and a credit bureau report to qualify for a license.
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Private Investigators
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States may require bond enforcement agencies to license as a private investigator to apprehend fugitives. For example, Kentucky outlaws the practice of bounty hunting for profit in the state. Bond enforcement agents from other states must obtain a warrant to apprehend a fugitive in the state of Kentucky.
Skills
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Bounty hunters use investigative skills to locate fugitives who have failed to appear for a court appearance. Professionals may be required to work odd hours while pursuing a fugitive, which requires time management skills. A bounty hunter also must have good communication skills to obtain information from the public about fugitives.
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