Maggie Bloom 3m 715 #bondsman
The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
Are you thinking about joining the law enforcement industry? You may not want to take the step of becoming a lawyer or police officer. However, there is one sector of the industry that you may be able to shine in. If you have the right skills and qualifications, you can be a successful bail bondsman. Here are the 5 steps you will need to take to do this.
1. You Need to Be Eligible for the Job
You can apply at an office in order to provide bail bonds to the people of your community. For example, if you live in Riverside, CA you might consider talking to experts at a Riverside bail bonds office on how to become eligible for the job position. Doing so will put you at the forefront of the bail bonds industry. You will need to meet a number of basic eligibility requirements. These include being at least 18 years of age and having a high school diploma or GED. You will also need to pass a pre-licensing course and an exam in your state. Finally, you need a surety sponsor.
2. You Must Pass All of the Training Requirements
Many bail bondsmen are much more than high school graduates. A great many of them have attended college. Many have degrees in such fields as economics, business administration, finance, and law. Having degrees in these subjects not only helps you to prepare for a life as a bail bondsman but also gets you ready to take and pass the final license exam.
Most states will expect you to take a specially designed pre-licensing exam. This will be the prelude to taking the actual exam. Being able to pass the pre-exam will give you the best chance at qualifying to be a bail bondsman. Most of the people who will be your instructors for these tests are veterans of the industry who have first-hand knowledge.
3. You Must Pass the State Licensing Exam
The crucial step in being officially certified as a bail bondsman in your state will be to pass the licensing exam. The test will normally consist of 50 to 60 multiple-choice questions. It must be completed within the span of an hour. The fee that you must pay to take the exam will normally run between $40 and $100. There are a number of independent providers who are qualified to administer the test on your behalf.
If you fail, don’t panic. Most states will give you the option to take the test several times until you finally pass it. It’s a good idea to learn all of the requirements of the test before you take it. You also need to bring the certificate that shows you passed the pre-exam. Finally, you need a credit card in order to pay for the fingerprint submission.
4. Apply for Your State Bail Bondsman License
The next step of the process will be to apply for your official state license. Go to your state’s Department of Insurance website to submit your application. You can then use a check, money order, or credit card to pay the licensing fee. You must also submit your official scores from your licensing exam. These will prove you are qualified for the job.
From there, you will then need to provide documentation of your official sponsorship by a surety company. Without this sponsorship, you can’t legally be employed in this type of position. You must then submit your official bond. This will be for an amount that is mandated by your state. The actual amount may vary according to the state you apply in.
5. Join a Company or Start Your Own
The last step you take will be up to you. You can join an established bail bonds service or start your own. If you have good connections in the industry, starting your own company may be the right move. If you are just starting out, it’s probably best to join a company and work your way up the chain.
It’s Time to Start a New Career
Whatever path you choose to take, you can rest assured that you are embarking on a secure and lucrative career. Success in the bail bonds industry will depend on maintaining a high level of effort and expertise. The reward will be a well-paid career with plenty of opportunities for advancement.
(
