Are you looking for a new career? If you’re looking for an industry that is growing, check out becoming a bail bondsman.
According to IBISWorld, the bail bondsman industry has had an annual growth rate of 0.9% every year since 2014. Stable work is only one of the good reasons to get your bail bonds license.
Read on to learn more about this exciting profession.
What is a Bail Bondsman?
A bail bondsman is also known as a bail agent. A bail bondsman is a person who is licensed and certified. In the simplest terms, a bail bondsman helps defendants get out of jail by posting a bond for their bail.
Bail agents are a valuable part of the criminal justice system. By helping people who can’t afford to pay their own bail, they allow defendants to get out of jail until their trial. The defendants are then free to meet with their attorneys and help work on their defense.
How to Become a Bail Bondsman
The requirements for how to become a bail bondsman vary among the states that allow private bail bondsman. Most have age and residency requirements as well as educational requirements.
They will also check your criminal background and many will make you undergo some kind of pre-training. For the states that require them, you will also have to take and pass a test.
To find out the complete requirements for your state, check with your state’s Department of Insurance. For some examples of common requirements, below are the requirements for North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
North Carolina Requirements
In North Carolina, you have to be 21 years or older, have resided in the state for at least six months, and have either a North Carolina driver’s license or identification card. You also have to show proof of graduating from high school.
You can’t have ever had a felony conviction. You also can’t have any outstanding bail obligations or ever been disqualified from being in the bail bond business anywhere in the U.S. You have to provide your fingerprints.
You have to take a two-day pre-licensing bail bonds class which costs between $400 and $500. Then you can apply to be qualified to take the bail bondsman license exam. Once qualified, you have to pass the test, which costs $56.50.
Virginia Requirements
In Virginia, you only have to be 18 years or older and reside in the state. You need to show proof you graduated from high school or passed the GED.
Unlike North Carolina, Virginia only requires you haven’t had a felony conviction in the past 10 years, which they will look for in a criminal background check.
Virginia requires you to take 240-hours of bail bonds classes to become a bail bondsman, then pass the licensing exam. Once you pass, you can apply for your license, which costs $900 for the basic license.
South Carolina Requirements
In South Carolina, you also only have to be at least 18 and a resident of the state. You can’t have any felonies or crimes involving moral turpitude (murder, aggravated assault, fraud, bribery, etc.) on your record from the past ten years.
For each county you plan to work in, you have to pay each county a fee. You also have to keep $10,000 in cash deposits at all times.
For a professional bondsman license, you’ll have to complete 20 hours of training and receive a certificate of completion (which you’ll submit along with the application for your license). Then you can take the state license exam. Once you pass, send n send your exam report along with the application for your license and $400. They will also want you to provide your fingerprints, passport photo, and proof of your net worth.
Why Become a Bail Agent?
As a licensed bail agent, you will have the option to work for yourself or with a bail bonds company. Most people opt to start out working with a bonding company to get some experience and additional training. Staying with a company long term has its benefits, but working for a company first also provides the time and opportunity to build up a reserve of capital before starting out on your own.
If you work for yourself you can choose your own hours, but given the nature of the business, defendants may need you at any hour of the day. If you aren’t available to take their call or act on their behalf, they may call someone else. If you choose to work for an established company, you may find you have more flexibility with your working hours since staff can rotate to be available 24/7.
As a bail bondsman, you will have the opportunity to make a difference and help people who really need it. You’ll be able to get them back home to their loved ones rather than having to spend weeks or months in jail.
You can also make a good living working as a bail bondsman and enjoy good job security. Being a bondsman can be a rewarding career that
Check Into Getting Your Bail Bonds License
If you’re looking for a job that is rewarding, challenging and never gets boring, look into getting your bail bonds license. You’ll have the opportunity to earn a good living and even start your own business if that’s what you desire.
Contact us if you think you are interested in starting a bail bonds business or joining our team as a bail agent. We’re here to help and provide you with the support you need.