State rankings

Bounty Hunter Legal States

Bounty Hunter Legal States: compare 51 US states on 3 metrics.

Law51 states · 3 metricsUpdated Apr 5, 2025Original page
9 sources

Legal Status of Bounty Hunting

2 values across 51 entries

Bounty Hunting License Required

8 values across 47 entries

Data

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51 states
AlabamaLegalYesIt is only necessary to obtain a business license from the Alabama Department of Revenue. This license is usually that of a private investigator and is accompanied by a surety bond, used to ensure that the business operator complies with state law, and a nominal fee.
AlaskaLegalNo—
ArizonaLegalYesTo Become a bounty hunter in Arizona an individual must work for a licensed bail bondsman.
ArkansasLegalYesTo become a licensed bondsman in Arkansas you must be a resident of the state employed by a licensed bail bond company. One must also provide three character references, fingerprints, a background check, and pay a $100 annual fee. An exam is also required alongside 8 hours of …
CaliforniaLegalYesBecoming a bounty hunter in California involves taking courses as well as meeting several other requirements. The California Department of Insurance (CDI) handles licensing for the state and only allows people over 18 to apply. The first thing that must be done is the completi…
ColoradoLegalYesLicensing in Colorado is carried out through the Insurance Division of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). In order to become licensed proof that the individual is not a felon, subject to fingerprinting and a background check, must be provided along with a full face …
ConnecticutLegalYesThe formal training must be approved by the Commissioner of Safety and include cover one or more of the following subjects: use of force, laws of arrest, search and seizure, constitutional laws/criminal justice system.
DelawareLegalYesOne can apply to the Department of Safety and Homeland Security for a bail enforcement agent. Prior to obtaining a license Bail Enforcement Agents must also “complete training in the following courses: Constitution/Bill of Rights, Laws of Arrest, Laws of Search & Seizure of Pe…
District of ColumbiaLegalYesTo engage in the bonding business real estate and financial information, previous criminal history, at least two character references, a list of representatives, and an oath to abide by Chapter 11 of Title 23 in the District of Columbia law is required. They must also provide …
FloridaLegalBail AgentUnder current Florida statutes, bounty hunters, or runners as they are known in Florida, are required to be licensed as bail agents. To work as a bail bond agent, you will need to acquire a license, which is regulated by the Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services.
GeorgiaLegalBail Recovery AgentGeorgia allows the practice of bounty hunting but does not use the term “bounty hunter” in its statutes. Instead, those employed in the capacity of fugitive recovery are known in the state as bail recovery agents.
HawaiiLegalNo—
IdahoLegalNo—
IllinoisNot Legal——
IndianaLegalBail Recovery AgentLicenses in the state are known as a “Bail Agent’s License” and they may only be issued to individuals.
IowaLegalBail Enforcement AgentsLicensing is required in Iowa and costs $100 for two years.
KansasLegalNo—
KentuckyNot Legal——
LouisianaLegalBail Enforcement AgentA bounty hunter license in Louisiana can be obtained from the Department of Insurance after the prerequisite eight hours of approved training is completed. The license must be renewed after two years, a process that requires an additional 12 hours of approved continuing education
MaineLegalNo—
MarylandLegalNoPresently there are little requirements beyond being employed by a licensed Bail Agent. However, Bail Agents' licenses must meet a number of requirements, including continuing education of no less than 16 hours before license renewal. As such, education is highly recommended f…
MassachusettsLegalNoLicensing is not required in Massachusetts, although professional bondsmen must register with the Superior Court. Additionally, the Superior Court has the ability to set rules for professional bondsmen
MichiganLegalNo—
MinnesotaLegalNo—
MississippiLegalYesBefore obtaining a license an individual must complete at least 8 hours of education approved by the Professional Bail Agents Association of Mississippi and offered by Mississippi Judicial College or another approved institution. Licenses expire annually on the last day of May…
MissouriLegalYesTo obtain a bounty hunting license in Missouri, you must be 21, never convicted of a felony, a resident of the state with a GED or high school diploma, and able to obtain a surety bond of at least $1,000,000. Licensure also requires 24 hours of training.
MontanaLegalNo—
NebraskaLegalNo—
NevadaLegalYesIn order to qualify for a bounty hunter’s license one must be a resident of Nevada, a US citizen or legally allowed to work in the US, have a high school diploma or GED, submit a report of an investigation of his or her criminal history, submit a report conducted by a licensed…
New HampshireLegalYesBecoming a bounty hunter in New Hampshire requires training, certification, and registration. Specifically, one must receive training that is approved by the Professional Bail Agents of the United States, a national organization of bail bond professionals.
New JerseyLegalYesTo become a bounty hunter in New Jersey one must have at least five years experience as either a private detective, a law enforcement officer, or as a bounty hunter prior to the establishment of legal regulation. Even if one has experience as a bounty hunter they must also com…
New MexicoLegalYesThe closest thing to a bounty hunter in New Mexico state law is known as a “solicitor”, defined as “a person employed by a bail bondsman for the purpose of assisting the bail bondsman in presenting the defendant in court when required, or to assist in the apprehension and surr…
New YorkLegalYesTo become a bounty hunter in New York, you must have “three years' experience as a police officer; an investigator in an agency of the state, county, or federal government; or an employee of a licensed private investigator or at a firm, partnership, company, or corporation whe…
North CarolinaLegalYesIn order to apply for a bounty hunting or “runner” license in North Carolina must be sponsored by a bond agent and be employed by only one professional bondsman who is responsible for their actions. In order to obtain a license, 20 hours of bounty hunter education is required.…
North DakotaLegalBail BondsmenLicensing for bail bondsmen falls under the same requirements as all insurance producers in North Dakota. In order to receive a license it is necessary to pass an exam regarding insurance laws of the state and their duties, responsibilities, and “lines of authority”, which com…
OhioLegalYesIn order to become licensed as a bounty hunter in Ohio you must first complete education and pass an examination. Once the exam has been passed a criminal record check must be completed and you must submit the surety bail bond agent application and submitted to: Ohio Departmen…
OklahomaLegalBail EnforcementThe Oklahoma Bail Enforcement and Licensing Act requires bounty hunters to be trained and certified through the Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET)
OregonNot Legal——
PennsylvaniaLegalNoPennsylvania allows the practice of bounty hunting in the apprehension of fugitives, but bounty hunters must be employed by a licensed professional bail bondsman.
Rhode IslandLegalNoAlthough there are no specific licensing requirements for bounty hunters in Rhode Island, “professional bondsmen” must register with the Superior Court.
South CarolinaLegalYesRunners, or Fugitive Recovery Agents, must also be employed by only one bond company, who must endorse their application. Therefore, it is essential to prove your expertise as a bounty hunter through successful training, education, and any prior experience dealing in fugitive …
South DakotaLegalBail Enforcement AgentBond agencies employing the Bail Enforcement Agent must take responsibility for their actions, an act that carries with it a great deal of trust and confidence in the Runner—something that must be earned through exemplary behavior and proof of competency as a Fugitive Recovery…
TennesseeLegalYesBecoming a bounty hunter in Tennessee requires eight hours of continuing education, given by the Tennessee Association of Professional Bail Agents.
TexasLegalYesBecoming a bounty hunter in Texas can be achieved through formal training and courses offered by colleges and agencies statewide. To become a bounty hunter in Texas you first must be licensed as a peace officer, a commissioned security officer, or a private investigator. Once …
UtahLegalYesBail Enforcement Agents must have at least 2000 hours of experience in bail enforcement or law enforcement and be able to document it specifically should they wish to obtain a license. Bail Recovery Agents must have at least 1000 documented hours of experience and provide a si…
VermontLegalNo—
VirginiaLegalYesTo become a bounty hunter in Virginia one must either find employment with a bail bond agency under a licensed bondsman or create their own business, completed the bail bondsman exam, which follows the 24 hours of training. Licensing costs $900 and must be accompanied by a fin…
WashingtonLegalYesbounty hunter licenses are issued by the Washington State Department of Licensing. After training is completed, one must pass an examination, along with a fingerprints card and a $400 fee.
West VirginiaLegalNoNo license is required to work as a bounty hunter in West Virginia. However, Fugitive Recovery Agents must register with the West Virginia State police,
WisconsinNot Legal——
WyomingLegalNo—

Quick answers

Where does this bounty hunter legal states data come from?
Rankodex compiles it from World Population Review and the primary sources it cites: Bounty Hunter Laws in Ohio - Ohio Small Business Development Center; Bounty Hunter State Requirements - Understanding Bail Bonds; Bounty Hunting by State - Become a Bounty Hunter; How to Become a Bounty Hunter - Bounty Hunter Education.

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