The Steps To Become A Bail Bondsman

Bail bondsmen work for bail enforcement agencies and can assist in the presentation of defendants released on bail in criminal or civil cases. Furthermore, they are also authorized to keep a defendant under surveillance.

If you are interested in becoming a bail bondsman, here are the steps you need to take.

The first step to becoming a bail bondsman in Utah is ensuring you meet the basic qualifications. These include:

• US Citizen or legal resident
• 21 years old or older
• Having good moral character, which is demonstrated by:
• No felony convictions
• No firearms convictions
• No Class C convictions for acts of moral turpitude
• No personal violence/force convictions
• No impersonation of a police officer 
• No fraud/dishonesty convictions
• Currently not on probation, parole, or community supervision
• No outstanding arrest warrants 
• Not currently employed as a peace officer

Next, to become a licensed bail bondsman, you must complete Utah-mandated training, which includes education and experience. 

 

All potential bail recovery agents in Utah must complete a 16-hour bail enforcement training course, which the Utah Department of Public Safety requires. 

• Search, seizure, and arrest procedure
• Pursuit, arrest, detainment, and transportation of a bail bond suspect
• Specific duties/responsibilities regarding entering an occupied building to carry out bail bondsman functions
• Laws and rules of the bail bond business
• Rights of the accused
• Ethics

Furthermore, although it’s not a requirement, having a college certificate or degree can be helpful when applying for licensure as a bail recovery agent. If you want to carry a firearm, you must also take a 16-hour mandatory firearms course.

Before applying for a license as a bail recovery agent, you must have documented 1000 hours of bail enforcement/recovery instruction. 

This experience can be obtained as an employee or independent contractor of a bail enforcement agent. After completion, you must provide a signed letter from the bail bond company that employed you during this experience. In addition, your employer must complete the Verification Of Bail Bond Recovery Work Form and submit it along with your license application.

Once you have completed the experience and education requirements, you can submit your application!

• Your 1000 hours of recorded experience
• Training course certificate of completion
• $150 fee
• A copy of your driver’s license or state-issued ID card
• A recent passport-sized color photograph
• Completed fingerprint card 
• If applicable, a copy of your certification of completion of your firearms course

The Bureau may take up to 90 days for your application to be processed. Each application must be approved at the next meeting of the Bail Bond Enforcement Licensure Board. The Bureau will inform you if your application has been approved or denied.

And if your application is approved, congratulations—you’re now a licensed bail bondsman!