While the process to becoming a licensed bail agent is largely the same for every US state, there may be some minor differences. It is important to understand eligibility and requirements for the state you’re looking to be a licensed bail agent in. To be licensed in California, you must…
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Have lived in California for at least 2 years.
- Have no felonies on your criminal record.
- Complete a certain number of hours of pre-licensing courses approved by the California Department of Insurance (DOI).
- Secure a surety, an insurance company that will entrust you as a bail agent. The insurance company will look for cash and/ or real estate collateral.
- Submit your Bail License Application and all other paperwork with the set fee to the DOI.
- Take the test, if your application is accepted. There is a test fee and the test has 50 questions to answer within 2 hours. You will need at least 70% to pass. If you did not pass the test the first time, you can keep testing until you do, paying the testing fee each time, of course.
- Be fingerprinted on-site when you pass the test. Again, a fee will be incurred.
- Wait about a month and a half to receive your license number, certificate, and bail agent card.
Despite the rather depressing and scary connotations with this line of work, many bail agents (like the ones at Greenfield Bail Bond Store) find they actually really enjoy their job because they get to help people and reunite loved ones.