Virginia Law

A. Persons required to be licensed as a bail bondsman pursuant to subdivision 47 of § 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia, shall meet all licensure requirements in this section. Persons who carry or have access to a firearm while on duty must have a valid license with a firearm endorsement as described under 6VAC20-250-80. If carrying a handgun concealed, the person must also have (i) a valid concealed handgun permit pursuant to Article 6.1 (§ 18.2-307.1 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2 of the Code of Virginia and (ii) the written permission of his employer.

B. Each person applying for a bail bondsman license shall meet the minimum requirements for eligibility as follows:

1. Be a minimum of 18 years of age;

2. Be a United States citizen or legal resident alien of the United States; and

3. Have received a high school diploma or passed a high school equivalency examination approved by the Board of Education.

4. Have successfully completed all initial training requirements, pursuant to the compulsory minimum training standards in Part IV (6VAC20-250-130 et seq.) of this chapter.

5. Have successfully completed the bail bondsman exam required by the board at a certified or licensed private security services training school with a minimum passing grade of 70%.

C. The following persons are not eligible for licensure as bail bondsmen and may not be employed nor serve as the agent of a bail bondsman:

1. Persons who have been convicted of a felony within the Commonwealth, any other state, or the United States, who have not been pardoned, or whose civil rights have not been restored;

2. Employees of a local or regional jail;

3. Employees of a sheriff's office;

4. Employees of a state or local police department;

5. Persons appointed as conservators of the peace pursuant to Article 4.1 (§ 9.1-150.1 et seq.) of Chapter 1 of Title 9.1 of the Code of Virginia;

6. Employees of an office of an attorney for the Commonwealth;

7. Employees of the Department of Corrections, Department of Criminal Justice Services, or a local pretrial or community-based probation services agency; and

8. Spouses of or any persons residing in the same household as persons referred to in subdivisions 2 through 7 of this subsection.

D. The exclusions in subsection C of this section shall not be construed to limit the ability of a licensed bail bondsman to employ or contract with a licensed bail enforcement agent authorized to do business in the Commonwealth.