High School

To prepare for a career as a bail bondsman, focus on computer science, accounting, mathematics, government, social studies, and geography. Accounting, computer science, and mathematics will prepare you to handle bookkeeping, record keeping, and negotiations concerning bail money. Because youll be using a computer for tracing bail jumpers, try to spend as much time as you can honing your computer and Internet research skills. Learning a foreign language, such as Spanish, will make your business more accessible to clients who do not speak English fluently.

Postsecondary Training

Some college-level course work in criminal justice and psychology and training in law enforcement techniques are helpful. Many of todays bail bondsmen have college degrees in criminal justice, although that is not a requirement. Depending on your states regulations, you may need to complete a certain amount of specific pre-work and pre-licensing education. For example, one of Oklahomas requirements for those wishing to work as bail bondsmen is to complete 16 hours of education sponsored by the Oklahoma Bondsman Association before they can sit for their licensing exam and begin working.

Certification

Professional Bail Agents of the United States (PBUS) offers four bail enforcement/fugitive recovery courses that cover topics such as surety bail, fugitive recovery, domestic and foreign arrest, and ethics and how it applies to fugitive recovery personnel. Students who complete all four courses are awarded a certificate of completion. Visit https://www.pbus.com/page/RecoveryCourses for more information.

Other Education or Training

PBUS offers continuing education opportunities at its annual meeting. Recent classes included "Using Guerrilla Marketing, Social Media & Other Low-Cost Tactics to Get & Keep Clients," "Electronic Skip Tracing Techniques," and "Awareness and Risks for Apprehending a Fugitive." Contact PBUS for more information.

Certification or Licensing

Some states require would-be bail bondsmen to attain a property and casualty insurance license requiring several hours of class work under the jurisdiction of the state director of insurance or state department of professional regulation. Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Oregon, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin ban for-profit bail bonding altogether. Other states require you to pass a bail-bond certification exam. Most states that require exams or licensing also require several hours of continuing education classes each year to keep the license current. You will need a firearm license if you plan to use a firearm.

Professional Bail Agents of the United States offers the Certified Bail Agent and Master Certified Bail Agent credentials to members who meet experience requirements and complete coursework. Visit https://www.pbus.com for more information.

There is no way to obtain direct experience as a bail bondsman before you become certified or licensed, but you will gain experience by completing the bondsmen association-sponsored course work that is required for licensure. You can also try to participate in internships or part-time jobs at law enforcement agencies or in the court system.

Bail bondsmen need to have people skills that allow them to effectively communicate with the clients and law enforcement officers they contact daily. Business acumen will also come in handy if you own your own company. They must also be able to deal with high levels of stress and tense situations and be able to act calmly and decisively during these situations. Bail bondsmen who do not hire bounty hunters must be physically fit in order to be prepared for any violent or challenging situation.