How To Get Licensed
How to Get a NC Bail Bondsman's License
A career as a bail agent is indeed an exciting one. As an industry, we are dedicated to training top-notch, professional bail agents. Because we view ourselves as a player in North Carolina’s justice system, the bail agents we train need to be prepared to interact with other professionals on a day-to-day basis.
One must follow the detailed application process through the North Carolina Department of Insurance to become a bail agent. We believe this process adds to the professionalism of our industry and allows for qualified individuals to become bail agents. More information can be found in the North Carolina Licensing Examination Bail Bond Candidates Guide.
As you begin this process, please contact us if you have questions or need guidance. We are available as a resource to you.
How to Become a Licensed Bail Agent
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 1: Meet Licensing Qualifications
Following are the qualifications for obtaining a Bail Bond License according to North Carolina General Statute §58-71-50:
You must be a resident of the state of North Carolina for at least six consecutive months before making application for a bail bondsman and/or bail bond runner license.
You must be at least 21 years of age.
Have obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Have knowledge, training, or experience of sufficient duration and extent to provide the competence necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of a licensee.
Have no outstanding bail bond obligations
Have no current or prior violations of Article 71 of Chapter 58 of the North Carolina General Statutes or of Article 26 of Chapter 15A of the North Carolina General Statutes.
Not have been in any manner disqualified under North Carolina law or any other state to engage in the bail bond business.
Hold a valid and current North Carolina driver’s license or valid North Carolina identification card issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles.
Prohibited persons from obtaining a Bail Bonds License §58-71-105:
Sheriff, deputy sheriff, other law enforcement officer, judicial official, attorney, parole officer, probation officer,jailer, assistant jailer, employee of the General Court of Justice, nor any other public employee assigned to duties relating to the administration of the criminal justice, nor the spouse of any such person.
A person who is or has ever been convicted of a felony.
A person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor drug violation within the previous 24 months.
The minimum age to become a licensed NC Bail Agent is (twenty-one) 21 years of age. Prior to 2015, the minimum age of 18 (Eighteen) years of age, but the age was increased by legislation in Session Law 2015-180. The current Qualification for bail bondsmen and runners can be found here in North Carolina General Statute 58-71-50.
Step 2: Take a Pre-Licensing Education (PLE) Course
Register and complete the pre-licensing (PLE) course with the North Carolina Bail Agents Association. The PLE Course is a two-day class, which includes a classroom test. Available classes will be listed below until they are at capacity. WALK-INS ARE WELCOME but must arrive by 8:45 am. If a class reaches capacity or is rescheduled, it will be removed from the website by 5:00 pm on the Friday afternoon before the class.
Class Details
Location: NCBAA offers PLE Classes at various locations across the state; scheduled classes can be found here. Unless otherwise noted, classes are held at the NCBAA Headquarters, located at 1220 Eastchester Dr., Ste 106, High Point, NC 27265.
Time: The PLE course is a two-day course. Unless otherwise noted, classes begin at 9:00 am and end at 5:00 pm on both days. Please arrive by 8:40 am to ensure enough time for check-in. Schedules subject to change or cancellation at any time prior to the class date.
What to Bring: Students must bring a photo ID to the PLE class.
NCBAA Provides: PLE Text Book, Supplies, Class Room Material, Study Guide, Calculator, Personal Attention, and the Best Instructors.
Classroom Test: Each applicant for a Bail Bond License must attend a PLE class and pass a PLE Classroom practice test which is given on the second day of the session in order to receive their PLE certificate of completion. The classroom practice test is designed to prepare the student for the State Exam. Throughout the years, NCBAA Instructors have been instrumental in assisting NC DOI with the preparation the State Exam. Classroom test are graded upon completion of the test. Those same instructors have designed NCBAA’s PLE practice test, study guide, and other material to ensure students are prepared for the state exam. Any student who fails the NCBAA PLE classroom test may take the test again, twice for FREE. Re-tests must be completed within 90 days of the failed exam.
PLE certificates: Students will receive their PLE Certificate via email the next business day after completing the class and passing the classroom test. PLE certificates are valid for six months from the date the class is successfully completed. If you do not receive your certificate via email, check your SPAM/JUNK folder and then contact NCBAA at 919-832-0867. Applicants will upload this certificate to their application to provide proof of their PLE educational requirement. If your certificate expires (valid for 6 months), you may retake the class for 1/2 price (class must be scheduled within 6 months of the expiration of certificate).
If your certificate expires (valid for 6 months), you may retake the class for 1/2 price (class must be scheduled within 6 months of the expiration of certificate).
Free Refresher Course:
NCBAA PLE Students can take advantage of a FREE PLE Refresher Course ($400 Value) prior to taking the State Exam. NCBAA students are provided the opportunity to sit through certain sections or even the whole PLE course again at NO COST to the student. The refresher course must be taken prior to the expiration of the students PLE certificate.
State Exam – Free PLE Class Retake: NCBAA will provide you with the best material, instructors, and education, but if you do not pass your state exam, you may take another class for FREE within one year of taking the state exam.
Refund/Rescheduling Policy: If you do not plan to attend any PLE class and require a refund, a request must be made in writing (prior to the scheduled class); only 1/2 of the paid tuition is refundable. There is no refund for classes that have been taken by the student. If you do not take the class for which you are scheduled, you may request to attend a future class within six months of the original class date. Repeated rescheduling (more than twice) of class reservations or exams will not be allowed. Failure to take a scheduled class or exam after two absences will result in a required refresher course at a rate of $225.00.
Military Discount: As an expression of gratitude for our military, any PLE class attendee who is a current or former member of the military (honorably discharged) will receive a $100.00 discount from the regular rate of $450. You may attach your DD214 or proof of active status to receive this discount.
Note: Military discounts will be processed post verification. To receive the discount, attach a copy of your DD214 or proof of active US Military Status. Your discount will be processed in the form of a $50 refund.
Complimentary NCBAA Membership: Students receive a one complimentary NCBAA membership for the first licensure year upon receiving license. Applicants must hold a valid NC bail license to be eligible for membership. Membership is subject to approval.
Step 3: Electronic Application
Submit an electronic application through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR).
During this process, North Carolina Bail Bonding License Applicants must complete the online application, submit required documents, and pay the application fees.
Online Application:
All North Carolina bail bonding applications are to be submitted electronically to the North Carolina Department of Insurance, through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR).
For more information on how to submit an online North Carolina Bail Bonding License, please refer to the North Carolina Department of Insurances step by step guide: how-apply-bail-bondsman-license-through-nipr.pdf
Required Documents to Submit:
The following documents are required to be submitted to the North Carolina Department of Insurance through the NIPR Warehouse: www.nipr.com/licensing-center/attachments
- Fingerprint Release and Electronic Fingerprint Release Form
Print the Fingerprint Release Form and bring it to your fingerprinting appointment. Both you and the fingerprinting officer will need to sign this form. Once your fingerprints are taken, upload the signed form to proceed with your background check.
- Pre-Licensing Education Certificate
Applicants without an active bail bond license must complete 12 hours of Pre-licensing Education (PLE) through an approved provider. After completing the NCBAA PLE course, NCBAA will email a certificate of completion within 48 hours. If you don’t see it, please check your junk mail before contacting NCBAA. A copy of this certificate must be submitted with your license application.
- North Carolina Driver’s License or Identification Card
Applicants must submit a copy of either their current, valid North Carolina driver’s license or a valid identification card issued by the NC Division of Motor Vehicles.
- Proof of Residency
Applicants must submit two (2) of the following documents to verify North Carolina residency.
- A pay stub showing your residential address in North Carolina.
- A utility bill showing your residential address in North Carolina.
- A receipt for personal property taxes or real property taxes paid by you to a North Carolina unit of local government showing your residential address in North Carolina.
- A monthly or quarterly statement showing your residential address in North Carolina and issued by a financial institution for an account held by you.
- Education Verification
Applicants must provide one of the following documents to verify a high school diploma or equivalent:
- High school diploma
- General Educational Development (GED) certificate (certified copy)
- High school transcript (certified copy) NOTE: If submitting a copy of the high school diploma.
For any additional forms, please visit https://www.ncdoi.gov/licensees/bail-bondsmen-licensing/applications-and-forms-bail-bondsmen
Application fees:
Applicants must pay application and processing fees when submitting their application. Below is a breakdown of the state fees for a North Carolina Bail Bonding license as outlined in state law. Additional costs may apply, so discuss these with your supervising agent. The PLE course provides information on all license applications and is designed for those new to bail bond laws or without a current North Carolina bail bonding license.
Surety Bail Bondsman Application $263.00
Surety Bail Bondsman Application Processing Fee $48.00
Total Fee Required at the time of application $311.00
**The examination fee of $51.50 is in addition to these fees and is paid at the time of registration for the examination.
A surety bail bondsman is appointed by an insurer by power of attorney to execute or countersign bail bonds for the insurer in connection with judicial proceedings and receives consideration for writing the bail bonds. Surety bondsmen sign using “powers,” which are provided by an insurance company.
MOST COMMON TYPE OF BAIL BONDING LICENSE.
Bail Bond Runner Application $183.00
Bail Bond Runner Application Processing Fee $48.00
Total Fee Required at the time of application $231.00
**The examination fee of $51.50 is in addition to these fees and is paid at the time of registration for the examination.
NOTE: A Runner license allows a bondsman to work under a professional bail bondsmen. This is not a “Bounty Hunters License.” Runner’s Licenses holds the same authority as a Surety Bondsman License with the exception that the runner executes bail bonds using the professional bondsman’s security. Professional bondsmen put up personal cash or other approved securities with the Department of Insurance, which acts as security on the bonds signed.
Professional Bail Bondsman Application $263.00
Professional Bail Bondsman Application Processing Fee $48.00
Total Fee Required at the time of application $311.00
**The examination fee of $51.50 is in addition to these fees and is paid at the time of registration for the examination.
Upon successful completion of the professional bail bond exam, a security deposit must be established by the applicant in a US bank authorized by the commissioner to hold the security in an amount no less than fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) prior to the professional bondsman license issuance (refer to the back of this guide). The professional bail bond license will be mailed by the department once the custodial bank confirms the deposit. If the required fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) security deposit with the custodial bank is not completed within six months of the examination date, the professional bail bondsman applicant’s application will be withdrawn for failure to complete license requirements.
NOTE: A professional bail bondsman pledges cash or approved securities with the commissioner as security for bail bonds written in connection with a judicial proceeding and receives a bail bond premium in exchange for writing the bail bonds.
Step 4: State exam
Once your application is completed and approved by the North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI), applicants will receive a letter/notification from NCDOI, permitting them to schedule and take that state exam at a Pearson Vue Testing Facility.
The applicant will be provided with his/her score once the exam has been completed, and NCDOI will be notified. Pearson Vue staff will take your photo for your bail bonding identification.
Step 5: Receive your Bail Bonding License
Once the student passes the exam and is approved by NCDOI, the student will receive his/her licenses within 10 to 12 business days from the examination date. The Bail Bonding License(s) will be mailed to the bail agent. Status of the licensure can be checked on the “Individual Lookup for License Status.” If you do not receive your license(s) within the 10–12 business days, you can call the Bail Bond Regulatory Division at the North Carolina Department of Insurance at 919-807-6850, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Applicants for initial licensing will need a supervising agent for one year.
Pearson VUE Contact Information
You can also get answers to your questions about the new process by contacting the North Carolina Licensing Office of Pearson VUE directly for assistance:
PHONE (Toll Free): 866-265-6329 E-MAIL: NorthCarolinaLicensingOffice@pearson.com US MAIL:NC Licensing Office of Pearson VUEPO Box 14209
Raleigh, NC 27620 FAX: 919-313-4706
North Carolina Licensing Examination Bail Bond Candidates Guide