Bail Enforcement Agent

The DCJS Division of Licensure and Regulatory Services regulates individuals that engage in the business of providing bail recovery services.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

  1. Be a minimum of 21 years of age;
     
  2. Be a United States citizen or legal resident alien of the United States; and
     
  3. Have received a high school diploma or GED.
     
  4. Successfully completed Bail Enforcement Agent Entry-Level Training (44E).

Initial Application Instructions

  1. Apply online at www.dcjs.virginia.gov/online, and pay applicable non-refundable fees.
    NOTE: A Criminal History Processing form is part of the online initial application. There is a separate processing fee that will be reflected on your invoice.
     
  2. Schedule an appointment for fingerprints.  Schedule an appointment at www.fieldprintvirginia.com or call 877-614-4364. DCJS will automatically be notified once you have been fingerprinted.
     
  3. Complete the Bail Enforcement Agent Firearm Endorsement Application during the online application process (if applicable).

Initial Training Requirements

  1. 44E – Bail Enforcement Agent Entry-Level Core Training: 40 hours
  2. Firearms Training Entry Level (if applicable)
Applications may be submitted to the Department using one of the following options:
 
  • In-person at the Washington Building, 1100 Bank St., Richmond, VA 23219 (you may use the secure drop box located inside the main entrance)
  • Regular mail to this address: Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, P.O. Box 1300, Richmond, VA 23218
  • Fax at 804-786-6344 (applications must have the Credit Card Authorization Form attached for processing)

Renewal Training Requirements

8 Hours, Consisting of:

Submit to the Department

A bail enforcement agent also known as a “bounty hunter” means any individual engaged in bail recovery. 

Bail recovery means an act whereby a person arrests a bailee with the object of surrendering the bailee to the appropriate court, jail, or police department, for the purpose of discharging the bailee’s surety from liability on his bond. “Bail recovery” shall include investigating, surveilling or locating a bailee in preparation for an imminent arrest, with such object and for such purpose. 

This law shall not apply to a licensed bail bondsman or law enforcement officer. 

  • Initial Bail Enforcement Agent application and $200.00 nonrefundable licensure fee.
  • Complete the 40-hour entry-level training at a DCJS certified training school.
  • Fingerprint card, Fingerprint Processing Application 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. 

  • Be a minimum of 21 years of age;
  • Be a United States citizen or legal resident alien of the United States;
  • Have received a high school diploma or GED; and
  • Have successfully completed the Bail Enforcement Agent Entry-Level Training (44E)
  • Persons who have been convicted of a misdemeanor within the last five years; a misdemeanor that is similar to brandishing a firearm or stalking, or any felony within the Commonwealth, any other state, or the United States, who have not been pardoned, or whose civil rights have not been restored, or persons currently the subject of a protective order
  • Employee of a local or regional jail; sheriff's office; state or local police department; an office of an attorney for the Commonwealth; Department of Corrections, Department of Criminal Justice Services, or a local community corrections agency.

A misdemeanor conviction may be waived for good cause shown, so long as the conviction was not for one of the following or a substantially similar misdemeanor: carrying a concealed weapon, assault and battery, sexual battery, a drug offense, driving under the influence, discharging a firearm, a sex offense, or larceny. 

No provision was included in the law to exempt current bail enforcement agents from the new licensure requirements.

The compulsory minimum entry-level training hour requirement excluding examinations and practical exercises is 40 hours. The course code for DCJS is SC44. To see the topical outline or find a certified school, check the following links:

  1. Persons previously employed as law-enforcement officers for a local, state or federal government who have not terminated or been terminated from said employment more than five years prior to the application date must submit official documentation of the following with the application for partial exemption of the entry-level training requirements.
    1. Completion of law-enforcement entry level training; and
    2. Five continuous years of law-enforcement employment provided such employment as a law-enforcement officer was not terminated due to misconduct or incompetence.
  2. Persons having previous bail enforcement agent training and five years continuous experience must submit official documentation of the following with the application for partial exemption:
  3. Completion of previous bail enforcement agent training, which has been approved by the department and which meets or exceeds the compulsory minimum training standards promulgated by the board; and
  4. Five years continuous experience in bail recovery provided such experience did not end more than twelve months prior to submittal of licensure application.

Persons who have been convicted of a misdemeanor within the last five year; a misdemeanor that is similar to brandishing a firearm or stalking, or any felony within the Commonwealth, any other state, or the United States, who have not been pardoned, or whose civil rights have not been restored, or persons currently the subject of a protective order. 

No, persons who carry or have access to a firearm while on duty must have a firearm endorsement as described under 6 VAC 20-260-80 of the state regulations. If carrying a handgun concealed, 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. 

The license is valid for 24 months. Licenses must be renewed prior to licensure expiration to include completion of in-service training. 

You may be approved for partial exemption of training if you meet the exemption requirements pursuant to 6 VAC 20-260-140. Some training requirements will still apply. 

No. You can begin the licensure process and take training without previously being a bail enforcement agent