Professional Bail Bondsman Requirements

• To qualify for professional bail bondsman licensing from the Connecticut State Police, applicants must meet specific qualifications. They must present a financial statement that details all of their assets and outlines their sources of income. They must also undergo a criminal background check, which requires professional fingerprinting. Individuals who were convicted of a crime are generally ineligible for licensing.
  
  Candidates must also submit four letters of reference, an official credit report and proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency. Because active U.S. service members and police officers cannot serve as professional bail bondsmen, retired or discharged law enforcement or military professionals must provide proof that they are no longer actively employed.
  
  

Surety Agent Training

• Prospective surely bail bond agents must complete pre-licensing training to qualify for licensing through the Connecticut Department of Insurance. The training program consists of 24 hours of coursework. Providers of bail bond agent training must have state approval. As of January 2011, only one school held this accreditation, the Connecticut Bail Academy (see Resource). Classes at the academy typically meet twice or three times per week during evening hours. New courses start several times a year and are held in different parts of the state.
  
  

Surety Agent Examination

• After completing the pre-licensing course, prospective surety bail bond agents in Connecticut must pass an examination. Candidates take the test using a computer at a Prometric Testing Center. As of January 2011, three centers were located in Connecticut, in Hamden, Glastonbury and Norwalk.
  
  The examination consists of 60 questions and has a 60-minute time limit. Most of the test, roughly 69 percent, covers bail bond principles, such as bond types and parties to a surety bond, court procedures and bond forfeiture. Other topics covered on the exam are agent regulations and contracts.
  
  

Other Surety Agent Requirements

• To qualify for surety bond agent licensing, the Connecticut Department of Insurance requires candidates to meet other requirements. All applicants must be at least 18 and provide a copy of a birth certificate. Proof of citizenship or legal residence is also necessary. Prospective agents must undergo a criminal background check, which requires professional fingerprinting. They must also provide the department with two letters of recommendation, a photograph and an official credit report.