The reality television show “Dog the Bounty Hunter,” starring Duane Chapman and his family on A&E, has sparked interest in bail enforcement careers. The Chapmans are primarily interested in pursuing wanted fugitives in the American states of Hawaii and Colorado. Only the United States and the Philippines have legalized bounty hunting around the world. If you want to work in bail enforcement and are looking for bounty hunter training, keep in mind that not all states in the United States allow bounty hunting.
Although bounty hunting is legal in most of the United States, there are some restrictions in some areas. These limitations may severely limit bounty hunting training opportunities. To work as a bounty hunter in Texas, for example, you must first obtain a license as a private investigator, a commissioned security guard, or a peace officer. Bounty hunters in Louisiana must always wear clothing that clearly identifies their profession. Because the profession is illegal in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Oregon, no training for bounty hunters is available.
Only the Florida Department of Financial Services’ Bureau of Agent and Agency Licensing can license aspiring Florida bail agents. Furthermore, the term bounty hunter is illegal in Florida; the only terms that are permitted are bail agent and limited surety agent. A state-licensed bail agent system is also used in North Carolina and South Carolina.
There are two basic options to consider if you want bounty hunter training in a state where the profession is legal. The first is to pursue a formal education in criminal justice or law enforcement at a college or university. For people who are willing and able to invest in post-secondary education, this is a good option. The second option is to complete a bounty hunter training school certificate program that meets your state’s requirements.
The American Institute of Bail and Bail Enforcement, for example, offers bounty hunting training certification. The Colorado Police Officers Standard and Training Board established the institute in 1998. The institute provides a variety of entry-level bounty hunter training programs that can be completed at home. This enables aspiring bounty hunters to work or take on other responsibilities while undergoing training. Trainees earn entry-level bounty hunter certification papers after successfully completing the training program and passing a written exam.