Becoming a guarantor in the US requires completing 12 hours of training on bail bonds, state laws, and safety training. Some states require a year-long internship and a notary public license. Annual training and exams are also required in many states.
The training required to become a guarantor in the United States varies from state to state, but much of the education required is similar in areas with business licenses. Candidates typically complete a minimum of 12 hours of classroom or online study to learn the responsibilities of a bail bondsman, state laws and regulations related to the profession, and safety training on the use of guns, tasers, and Pepper Spray. Some states require one to two weeks of bail bondsman training, followed by a year-long internship at a bail bonds office. A state’s Department of Insurance or local law enforcement offices are good resources for finding out about course requirements and schools that offer the necessary classes.
In most states, guarantor training and licensing is provided by the Department of Insurance. Many states require agents to provide proof that they have up-to-date lien insurance to cover forfeited securities. In these states, additional training may be required to obtain a fire and casualty or property and casualty license. Bail applicants must also be at least 18 years old and possess a valid driver’s license. Upon completion of the required coursework, students must pass a written exam, a criminal background check, and be fingerprinted.
A bail bond license was required beginning in 2010 in Indiana, Nevada, Mississippi, South Dakota, Connecticut, Arizona, Utah, Louisiana, California and West Virginia. In Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina, specific statutes govern how guarantors operate. Some states have different bail laws for different counties, while others only accept professional bail agents or those who use their personal money to post bail in order for an accused to be released from prison. Commercial bail was prohibited, as of 2010, in Illinois, Kentucky, Oregon, and Wisconsin.
Bail bondsman training can also include preparing a student to enter into secure contractual arrangements with a client prior to posting bail for their release from prison. The guarantor’s responsibility is to ensure that a client goes to court, so some states may require training to gain authority to arrest a fugitive. Some states also require a notary public license before granting arrest authority. Even in states where a guarantor’s license is sufficient, a notary’s license can be beneficial for an agent to acquire property in lieu of money as collateral for the bond.
Many states also require annual guarantor training, refresher courses, and annual exams that must be passed. Such classes usually include safety courses and refresher classes on new bail rules. Many colleges offer training for prospective guarantors and the necessary education about state laws and local legal issues. Despite the training available, the guarantor insurance license may be enough to get you started in practice in many states.
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