The laws governing bounty hunters in the United States differ from state to state. Several states require this position to have a license, but many do not. The majority of licenses are obtained through a state’s insurance department, and each state has its own set of requirements for licensure. Although there are numerous training programs available online and elsewhere, not all of them meet the requirements for obtaining a bounty hunter license.
Bounty hunters are individuals who find and apprehend bail fugitives but are not employed official law enforcement. Bail enforcement agent, bail fugitive investigator, and fugitive recovery agent are some of the other names for this job. Bounty hunting is prohibited in nearly every country on the planet. The occupation is permitted only the United States and the Republic of the Philippines.
Although bounty hunting is legal in the United States, the laws governing bounty hunter licenses vary from state to state. Wisconsin, Oregon, Illinois, and Kentucky are the only states that have outlawed bounty hunting completely. Others prohibit freelance work while allowing bail enforcement officers to work as full-time ‘runners’ for a bond agent. Many states do not require drivers to have a license.
A bounty hunter must be licensed their state’s department of insurance in order to work. Typically, these licenses do not transfer from one state to another. The requirements for licensure differ state, but most have a similar set of requirements, including passing an exam. Those seeking licensure should contact the department directly to find out what their state’s requirements are.
The requirement for an examination is standard for obtaining a bounty hunter license. Before a license can be issued, some states require 20 hours of field education. These courses are also mandated the insurance departments of each state. Although many online bounty hunter training courses claim to provide certification, the majority of them do not lead to a state-issued license.
Many states only require applicants for a bounty hunter license to take an exam, with no requirement for a specific training program or number of hours of study. Some online bail enforcement agent courses could help you prepare for this exam. Online searches or contacting a state insurance department may provide applicants with a list of reputable programs.
Even in states where a bounty hunter license is not required, most states have a minimum age requirement for bail enforcement agents. This age requirement is typically 18 years old, though some organizations raise it to 21 years old. In addition, most states will not issue a driver’s license to someone who has a criminal record. Applicants in some states must also pass a psychological examination.
When it comes to obtaining a bounty hunter license, there are frequently residency requirements. Most states demand that bail officers be citizens of the United States. Others require a person to live in the state for a certain period of time before applying for a license. The majority of these kinds of requirements last anywhere from six months to a year.