Bail Agent or Agency

Authorizing Act:

Section 1802 of the California Insurance Code reads, in part:

A bail agent is a person permitted to solicit, negotiate, and effect undertakings of bail on behalf of any surety insurer.

Eligability to Apply (Individual Licensee):

• Be at lest 18 years of age.
• Be a resident of California.
• Complete a minimum of 20 hours of approved prelicensing classroom study in subjects pertinent to the duties and responsibilities of a bail licensee, including, but not limited to, all laws and regulations related thereto, rights of the accused, and ethics. Bail Education Objectives

Application Filing Requirements - Individual:

• Take and pass the required examination.  To learn more, please review the Candidate Information Bulletin.
• Apply online for a Bail Agent license at Sircon for a two-year license term at a fee of $622. All filing fees submitted are not refundable, whether or not the application is acted upon or the examination taken.
• Submit fingerprint impressions. If the applicant has an active California insurance license or other California bail license they are exempt from this requirement.  See fingerprint processing link for fees.

Attach/Upload the following to the license application:

• Bond: A Bond of Bail Agent, form LIC 437-9, in the penal sum of $1,000 executed by a California admitted surety, and signed by the principal.
• A course completion certificate for a 40-hour power of arrest course certified by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training pursuant to Section 832 of the California Penal Code.
• A Bail Agent Action Notice, form LIC 437-23, executed by a surety insurer or it's authorized representative.
• Copies of the forms or documents which the bail agent intends to use regularly or frequently in connection with bail transactions.   
• An Action Notice Statement of Employing Bail Agent Or Permittee Form LIC 438, is required for licensed Bail Agents and Permittees employing or terminating the employment of a natural person to act as a bail agent or permittee.
• A 2x2 passport photo, not older than six months.  A Bail identification card will be issued for all individual licensees.

License Renewal Requirements:

• License renewal for another two year license term.  The license renewal application can be found at Sircon.
• Renewal fee for another two year license term is $188. All filing fees submitted are not refundable, whether or not the application is acted upon or the examination taken. 
• Courtesy renewal notices are sent via email, approximately 90 days prior to the license expiration, to the licensee's reported email address with the Department of Insurance.  The renewal application is due on the expiration date of the license whether or not a courtesy notice had been received.
• Must complete a minimumof 12 hours of approved continuing education.
• Late license renewals are prohibited.  Licenses not renewed by the expiration date will be required to submit a new application and all required forms and pay double filing fee. 'Late' is defined as any license renewal for which the filing fee and required documents are not on file by the expiration date of the license.  
• An active bond must be on file.
• An active agent appointment must be on file.

Filing Requirements - Corporation:

• Apply online for a Bail agency license at Sircon for a two year license term per Cal. Ins. Code 1807.7.
• Original license fee is $622. All filing fees submitted are not refundable, whether or not the application is acted upon or the examination taken.
• Licenses may be issued to corporations to act as bail agents.  Each officer, director, stockholder, and employee must hold an individual bail agent license.
• Business location must be in California.
• Any subsequent change in stockholders for the corporation shall require the prior approval of the department.  Changes in stockholders, officers or directors may be submitted on form LIC 437-25.

Attach/Upload the following to the license application:

• Bond: A Bond of Bail Agent, form LIC 437-9, in the penal sum of $1,000 executed by a California admitted surety, and signed by the principal.
• A course completion certificate for a 40-hour power of arrest course certified by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training pursuant to Section 832 of the California Penal Code.
• A Bail Agent Action Notice, form LIC 437-23, executed by a surety insurer or it's authorized representative.
• Copies of the forms or documents which the bail agent intends to use regularly or frequently in connection with bail transactions.   
• Action Notice Statement of Employing Bail Agent or Permittee form LIC 438, is required for licensed Bail Agents and Permittees employing or terminating the employment of a natural person to act as a bail agent for the corporation.

License Renewal Requirements:

• License renewal for another two year license term.  The license renewal application can be found at Sircon.
• Renewal fee for another two year license term is $188. All filing fees submitted are not refundable, whether or not the application is acted upon or the examination taken. 
• Courtesy renewal notices are sent via email, approximately 90 days prior to the license expiration, to the licensee's reported email address with the Department of Insurance.  The renewal application is due on the expiration date of the license whether or not a courtesy notice had been received.
• Must complete a minimumof 12 hours of approved continuing education.
• Late license renewals are prohibited.  Licenses not renewed by the expiration date will be required to submit a new application and all required forms and pay double filing fee. 'Late' is defined as any license renewal for which the filing fee and required documents are not on file by the expiration date of the license.  
• An active bond must be on file.
• An active agent appointment must be on file.

Additional Information

Federal law (Title 18 United States Code Section 1033) prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a felony involving dishonesty or a breach of trust from conducting the business of insurance unless they have obtained the written consent of the Insurance Commissioner. It is a violation of this statute to conduct business of insurance without the Commissioners written consent. If you have been convicted of a felony involving dishonesty or a breach of trust then you must attach a copy of this consent. If you have not obtained this written consent you must do so by filing a 1033 Short Form Application for Written Consent prior to filing your application.  To obtain approval to submit insurance licensing forms by mail, send an email request to: contactsups@insurance.ca.gov or submit a written request to:

California Department of Insurance
300 Capitol Mall, 16th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814-4313

To obtain Bail insurance license information, you may visit the FAQ page or call the Producer Licensing Bureau Bail Unit at (916) 492-3035 or email sac.bail@insurance.ca.gov.  Please allow 3 business days for a return call.