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CA Department of Insurance
CA Department of Insurance
CA Department of Insurance

Bail Agent

Applicable Forms

Candidate Information Bulletin

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.

Qualifications:

  • Minimum Age: 18 years.
  • Residency: California residency is required.
  • Prelicensing Experience/Education: Require 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.
  • Continuing Education: Require a minimum of 12 hours of approved continuing education study prior to the renewal of his or her license.
  • Entity: Individual/Corporation

Filing Requirements - Individual:

Fingerprint Impressions: Fingerprint impressions are required for all unlicensed bail applicants.

Fees - Individual:

  • First Time Applicants - two year term: $622. This fee does not include the examination fee.
  • Examination: $62
  • Fingerprint: Fingerprint Processing link for fees. 
  • Renewal - two year term: $188

Examination: Applicants must pass the examination prepared and administered by the Department. Examination is based on information and materials covered during the 20 hour prelicensing course.

Filing Requirements - Corporation:

Fees - Corporation:

  • License filing - two year term: $622
  • Renewal - two year term: $188

License Term:

Pursuant to Section 1807.7 of the California Insurance Code, licenses are issued for two year terms.

Renewal of License:

CDI emails licensees a renewal notification to their email address on record. The email notification includes the license number, license term, license type, and information regarding any continuing education requirements. You can update your e-mail address using Sircon.com - Change Address Online.

Individuals and business entities who do not receive the email notification must still renew their license online by following the prompts on CDI's Online Renewal Service at the following website link: Sircon.com - Renewal and Reinstatement Service. 

Any Bail licensees that do not renew their license by the license expiration date will be required to refile for the license with a new application, appointments and pay double the filing fee. "Late" is defined as any renewal for which the requirements to renew (including completing the continuing education hours) are not met until after the expiration date of the previous license term.

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.

  • Licenses may be issued to corporations to act as bail agents. Each officer, director, stockholder, and employee must hold an individual bail agent license.
  • Any 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.
  • Bail licenses are issued for two year terms.
  • A Bail Identification card will be issued for all individual licensees.
  • An individual Bail agent's and a permittee's license may be applied for at the same time, on the same application. Only a permittee's bond is required.
  • If a currently licensed bail permittee is now applying for an agent's license, the permittee's bond on file will cover both licenses.
  • If a bail solicitor applicant is to work for two or more bail licensees who are members of a partnership, a separate Action Notice Statement from each employer and an additional filing fee for each is required.
  • A corporation may not employ a bail solicitor or permittee.
  • To obtain insurance licensing forms by mail, send an e-mail request to: Producer Licensing Bureau.
  • To obtain Bail licensing information, you may phone the Producer Licensing Bureau Bail unit at (916) 492-3035.

All fees mailed to the Department must be addressed to:

Department of Insurance
P.O. Box 1139
Sacramento, CA 95812-1139

All filing fees submitted are not refundable, whether or not the application is acted upon or the examination taken.

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