According to Section 6 VAC 20-250-10 of the Regulations Relating to Property and Surety Bail Bondsmen, a “bail bondsman" means any person who is licensed by the Department who engages in the business of bail bonding and is thereby authorized to conduct business in all courts of the Commonwealth.
"Property bail bondsman" means a person pursuant to this article who, for compensation, enters into a bond or bonds for others, whether as a principal or surety, or otherwise pledges real property, cash or certificates of deposit issued by a federally insured institution, or any combination thereof as security for a bond as defined in § 19.2-119 that has been posted to assure performance of terms and conditions specified by order of an appropriate judicial officer as a condition of bail.
"Surety bail bondsman" means a person licensed pursuant to this article who is also licensed by the State Corporation Commission as a property and casualty insurance agent, and who sells, solicits, or negotiates surety insurance as defined in § 38.2-121 on behalf of insurers licensed in the Commonwealth, pursuant to which the insurer becomes surety on or guarantees a bond, as defined in § 19.2-119, that has been posted to assure performance of terms and conditions specified by order of an appropriate judicial officer as a condition of bail.
The form must be submitted with the PSS_FP form if you have ever been convicted or found guilty of a felony or misdemeanor (not to include minor traffic violations) in Virginia or any other jurisdiction to include military court martial or currently under protective orders.
Property and Surety bail bondsmen must be licensed.
Property Bail Bondsman means a person pursuant to this article who, for compensation, enters into a bond or does so through his agent and who pledges real property, cash or certificates of deposit issued by a federally insured institution, or any combination thereof as security for a bond as defined in §19.2-119 of the Code of Virginia that has been posted to assure performance of terms and conditions specified by order of an appropriate judicial officer as a condition of bail.
Surety Bail Bondsman means a person licensed pursuant to this article who is also licensed by the State Corporation Commission as a property and casualty insurance agent, and who sells, solicits, or negotiates surety insurance as defined in §38.2-121 of the Code of Virginia on behalf of insurers licensed in the Commonwealth, pursuant to which the insurer becomes surety on or guarantees a bond, as defined in §19.2-119 of the Code of Virginia, that has been posted to assure performance of terms and conditions specified by order of an appropriate judicial officer as a condition of bail.
Who is exempted from this law? This law shall not apply to a person who does not receive profit or consideration for his services.
How will the program be implemented? The Property and Surety Bail Bondsmen program is administered within the Private Security Services Section of DCJS. However, it is treated as a separate regulatory program and has its own set of regulations.
What are the registration requirements for a Bail Bondsman:
The main requirements for both surety and property are as follows, please review the additional requirements listed under the surety or property questions. You must submit the following to the department:
Initial Bail Bondsman License (PSS_BA) and $900.00 nonrefundable licensure fee.
Nonrefundable Category fee
Property Bail Bondsman- $250
Agent Bail Bondsman- $100
Surety Bail Bondsman- $100
Complete the 40-hour entry-level training and pass the bail bondsman exam as prescribed by the Board.
Fingerprint card, fingerprint processing application (PSS_FP) and applicable non-refundable fee. For more information, view the Fingerprints page.
For those who will have access to a firearm, they must complete the requirements for a Firearms Endorsement. For more information, view the Firearms Endorsement page.
Will the industry be represented on the Private Security Services Advisory Board (PSSAB)? Yes. The PSSAB shall have one member who is a licensed bail bondsman.
What are the minimum requirements for eligibility as a bail bondsman?
Be a minimum of 18 years of age;
Be a United States citizen or legal resident alien of the United States; and
Have received a high school diploma or GED.
Complete training and pass the bail bondsman exam at a DCJS certified training school.
What would make a person ineligible to be a bail bondsman?
Persons who have been convicted of a felony within the Commonwealth, any other state, or the United States, who have not been pardoned, or whose civil rights have not been restored;
Employee, spouse of an employee or residing in the same household of an employee of a local or regional jail; sheriff's office; state or local police department; persons appointed as conservators of the peace pursuant to Article 4.1 (§9.1-150.1 et seq.) of this chapter; an office of an attorney for the Commonwealth; Department of Corrections, Department of Criminal Justice Services, or a local community corrections agency.
Will existing bail bondsmen be "grandfathered" from licensure requirements? No provision was included in the law to exempt current bail bondsmen from the new licensure requirements.
If I am an attorney can I be registered as a bail bondsman? An attorney may be a licensed bondsman provided he does not provide bail for any person if he is also an attorney representing that person.
What training is required in order to obtain a license?
The compulsory minimum entry-level training hour requirement excluding examinations and practical exercises, is 40 hours. The course code for DCJS is 40E. To see the topical outline or find a certified school, check the following links:
Will there be any exemption of training standards for previous training and/or experience as a bail bondsman? No provision was included in the law to provide training exemptions under the new licensure requirements.
What criminal history would be a basis for denial as a bail bondsman? Persons who have been convicted of a felony within the Commonwealth, any other state, or the United States, who have not been pardoned, or whose civil rights have not been restored.
Does being a Bail Bondsman allow me to carry a concealed weapon? No. Persons who carry or have access to a firearm while on duty must have a firearm endorsement as described under 6 VAC 20-250-90 of the Regulations. If carrying a concealed handgun, the person must also have a valid concealed handgun permit, and the written permission of his employer pursuant to §18.2-308 of the Code of Virginia.
How long is a Bail Bondsman license good for? They are valid for 24 months. Licenses must be renewed prior to licensure expiration to include completion of in-service training.
I am former law enforcement; do I need to take training? Yes. All individuals must take the entry-level training to become licensed.
Do I have to be a current bail bondsman in order to begin the licensure process? No. You can begin the licensure process and take training without previously being a bail bondsman.
In order to do bail recovery must I also obtain a bail enforcement agent license? Licensed bail bondsmen are exempt from the bail enforcement law and do not need to obtain a bail enforcement license in order to provide bail recovery.
Are you issued a Bail Bondsman before you obtain Power of Attorney? You will be issued a temporary licensure letter affording you thirty days to submit the power of attorney to the Department. This licensure letter does not authorize you to bond.
A bail bondsman is any person who is licensed by DCJS who engages in the business of bail bonding and is thereby authorized to conduct business in all courts of the Commonwealth.
