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Thinking about a career in bail bonding?
It’s a fast-paced, people-centered field that blends communication, criminal justice, and financial savvy.
Every state sets its own licensing and education rules, so the first step is knowing where you’ll work—and what that state requires.
A handful of states have approved online pre-licensing bail bonding classes.
These are usually offered by approved associations and training providers.
A good bail bond agent is patient, persistent, and tech-aware, with a solid grasp of geography, math, and law.
Bail Bonding is a good entry-level career.
And the right online program can set you on a path to a rewarding, high-impact career.
1 University of Florida (UF) (OPWD)
About
The University of Florida (UF) was established in 1853.
Its main campus is located in Gainesville, Florida.
The University of Florida is a top-tier institution and ranked #4 in the United States by Forbes Magazine.
Courses Offered
One of the few university-based online bail agent programs, the University of Florida offers a state-approved 120-hour Bail Bondsman Basic Certification that meets the Florida Department of Financial Services requirements for pre-licensing education.
The online course is offered through the Office of Professional and Workforce Development (OPWD) in partnership with the Florida Bail Bond School.
The 120-hour program is taught in two stages:
- Asynchronous: This stage is 100% online and self-paced.
- Live Webcast: Still online, this stage meets the Florida requirement for face-to-face instruction by using instructor-led webcasts to emphasize bail bonding principles.
There is also a 30-hour introductory online course with open enrollment.
However, the shorter 30-hour program does not meet state requirements to sit for the Florida state exam.
Both courses are available through the Florida Bail Bond School.
Students enrolled in the 120-hour pathway will study:
- History of Florida Bail Bonding
- Florida Criminal Justice
- Fiduciary Responsibilities
- Bail Bonding Ethics
- Contracts
The pre-certification course costs $695 for the complete 120 hours.
Textbooks and materials are extra.
Students electing the shorter 30-hour course will pay $295 and have six months to complete the pathway.
Contact Information
- Address: 3900 SW 63rd Boulevard, Gainesville, FL 32608
- Phone: 352-392-8660
- Website: Visit School Website
2 American Institute of Bail Bonding & Enforcement (AIBBE)
About
American Institute of Bail Bonding & Enforcement (AIBBE), founded in 1998, is based in Denver, Colorado, and is a Colorado-approved provider of bail bonding education.
Courses Offered
The American Institute of Bail Bonding & Enforcement offers a Colorado state-approved Bail Bond Agent Certification course.
The training was designed in partnership with the Colorado Police Officers Standard and Training Board.
Students study:
- History of Bail Bonding and Enforcement
- Legal and Liability Issues
- Bail Bond Agent Safety
- Investigative Techniques
- Detention and Transportation
The cost for the bail bond agent course is $270.
Manuals and State Certification Exam preparation information is provided.
Students will receive a Diploma & Certificate of Completion.
All AIBBE instructors have a background in law enforcement.
Courses are also available in person.
Contact Information
- Address: P.O. Box 19306, Denver, CO 80219
- Phone: 720-732-6884
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Mississippi Bail Agents Association (MBAA)
About
The Mississippi Bail Agents Association (MBAA) is the state professional association for bail agents.
MBAA is a non-profit administered by a board of directors.
Courses Offered
The Mississippi Bail Agents Association offers a 100% online pre-licensing class that is Mississippi State Approved.
The 40-hour online program offers an e-textbook combining short videos, online lectures, and assigned readings for optimal instruction.
Students receive a Certificate of Completion, a requirement to sit for the state licensing exam.
A Mississippi Insurance Department pre-licensing exam prep book is also available for download.
Students study the following courses:
- History of Suretyship
- Bail Bond Businesses
- Contracts
- Courts and Jurisdictions
- Forfeitures and Judgments
The 40-hour pre-licensing bail agent course costs $850.
Textbooks and downloadable study materials are included.
Contact Information
- Address: P.O. Box 2567, Madison, MS 39110
- Phone: 601-899-8599
- Website: Visit School Website
4 Continuing Education Resources Inc. (CER Inc.)
About
Founded in 2000, Continuing Education Resources Inc. (CER Inc.) is approved by the Alabama Department of Insurance for pre-licensing bail bond online training.
It also provides professional continuing education coursework both online and in-person.
Courses Offered
The online 20-hour bail bond pre-licensing program is Alabama state-approved.
It qualifies candidates to take the Alabama Bail Bonding License examination.
Students review the following courses:
- Alabama Bail Bond Laws and Regulations
- Ethical Standards
- Criminal and Contract Law
- Financial Responsibilities
- History of Alabama Bail Laws
The cost of the course is a non-refundable fee of $550 payable upon registration.
This includes e-textbooks, manuals, and general certification practice exams.
Students have 365 days to finish the course.
Contact Information
- Address: 1927 4th Ave N Suite 2, Bessemer, AL 35020
- Phone: 877-710-7117
- Website: Visit School Website
5 California Bail Education School (CBES)
About
The California Bail Education School (CBES) provides a Department of Insurance-approved course satisfying bail agent pre-licensing.
CBES also combines the basic course with a bounty hunting and enforcement certification that also meets state requirements.
Courses Offered
Bail agent pre-licensing in California requires 20-hours of face-to-face instruction.
However, the Bail Education Association offers an option for busy California professionals.
While not online, qualified instructors will come to an office or other location for personalized training that meets California Department of Insurance requirements.
Students will learn:
- Criminal Justice System
- California Bail System Overview
- Contracts and Indemnity Laws
- California Financial Regulations
- Ethics and Best Practices
The cost of the course is a non-refundable fee of $550 payable upon registration.
This includes textbooks and manuals.
Candidates will receive a Certificate upon successful completion of the 20-hour accelerated course.
Contact Information
- Address: 412 Vernon Street, Roseville, CA 95678
- Phone: 916-302-6377
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
Salary
Bail enforcement salaries combine base hourly wages and commission received.
Bail bonds professionals in the United States earn between $49,600 and $112,100 annually.
The median salary is $72,500 annually, or about $35 per hour.
Seasoned professionals or business owners can easily earn over $120,000.
The projected job growth is modest, roughly 5 to 6%.
This implies a stable profession during the next decade.
The top-paying states include Alaska, Georgia, and Connecticut, ranging from $91,000 to $107,000, respectively.
North Dakota, West Virginia, and Mississippi have the lowest average compensation, ranging from $32,000 to $46,000.
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