Become a Bail Bondsman
As a bail bondsman working for Absolute Bail Bonds, Inc. in North Carolina, you can have your share of unusual perks. For one, you can be your own boss and set your own hours. The earning potential is high, as long as you have the right skills, experience, and attitude. If you don’t like being tied down to a desk like most ordinary 8 to 5 jobs, this could be the career for you.
But unlike ordinary employment, becoming a bail bondsman requires more than just your Resume. Read on to know what steps you should take to assume the role of an important part of North Carolina’s criminal justice system.
Licensing Requirements
- You should be at least 21 years old at the time of application
- You must be a resident of North Carolina for at least 6 months
- You have no outstanding bail bonds whatsoever
- You must have not committed any drug misdemeanors in the past 2 years
- You must possess a current North Carolina driver’s license or similar ID
- You were never convicted for any felonies in the USA
- You must not be employed as a Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) of any kind
- You are not a practicing criminal lawyer
- You should not be employed as a public servant whose duties relate to any administration of criminal justice
- You must not be married to any person with the above-stated employment
Education Requirements
What education is needed to be a bail bondsman? Some individuals might pursue a bachelor or associate degree in law, criminology, or similar field to better prepare for a bail bondsman career. Although these are desirable qualifications, they are not necessary. All you need is a high school diploma or its equivalent to qualify as a bail bondsman.
Pre-Licensing Course
Once you’ve met the educational and eligibility requirements, the next step is to take a pre-licensing course to equip you with the right knowledge and skills to become a professional bail bondsman. The course takes only two days to complete. These courses are conducted throughout the year in North Carolina; you can check the North Carolina Bail Agents Association website to set your preferred test date.
Take note that you will have to pay a fee of about $450 for this class. Current military personnel, or those who were honorably discharged, may receive a $100 discount.
Taking the Exam
After you’ve completed the course, you must pass the bail bond agent licensing exam to become a licensed bail bondsman. The cost of the exam is $44 and can be taken at several test centers operated by Pearson VUE. You may schedule your bail bondsman exam in North Carolina at test centers located in Asheville, Greenville, Raleigh, Statesville, and Wilmington. You can set your exam schedule at Pearson VUE’s website.
However, you need an emailed approval letter from a supervising bail agent before you are allowed to schedule and take the exam. The approval letter will be issued after you pass a background check. Read on to find out how to get your approval letter.
Application
To proceed with your bail bondsman application in North Carolina, you are required to complete a background check via digital fingerprint scan. Check with the North Carolina Licensing Management System online to get the details on this process. While you’re logged in at the system, apply for your initial license and send an invite link to your supervising bail agent for approval. They can further explain the details of your bail bondsman application.
Be advised that fingerprinting takes the most time in the application for bondsman process, so you should do this even before you take the class to expedite the processing of your license application. After you’ve completed all the requirements, expect to receive your approval letter via email after 30-45 days.
You can then schedule and take the exam. If you fail the exam, you must wait for a year before you can repeat your application and pay fees all over again.
Getting your license can take time, but it can be worth the effort. Absolute Bail Bonds Inc. is here to help you through your journey. Contact us if you have any questions or concerns.