California may be the most glamorous state in the entire country. It’s the entertainment capital of the world and holds the single largest economy in the union. For decades, it’s been the heart of stories of hard-boiled pulp detectives hunting down fugitives, as well as the location of some of the most infamous real-life Hollywood murder cases in history.
Law enforcement agents in this state have been heroes and villains, but they work doggedly to make sure that fugitives from justice are brought in. Specially trained bounty hunters across the state pursue those who have skipped bail and return them to the courts for their crimes. Here’s everything you need to know about becoming a bounty hunter in California.
Bounty Hunter Requirements in California
Bounty hunters in California need to undergo very specific training and licensing practices. It’s not an easy path to walk, but it can be very rewarding as you’re helping to keep dangerous people off the streets, and getting paid to do it. Bounty hunters in this state are licensed by the California Department of Insurance, and the laws and regulations outlining their responsibilities, duties, and requirements are outlined in Penal Code 1299.
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Basic State Requirements
- Education: A minimum of 20 hours of education via a CDI certified training course is required. Most people take the combined Bail Fugitive Recovery Training and Accelerated Bail Agent Pre-Licensing courses, which carries a $550 fee. Following this, you must complete a California POST-certified course related to Powers of Arrest, which comprises 40 education hours. Finally, 8 hours of certified security guard training is required.
- Age: To become a California bounty hunter you have to be at least 18 years old.
- Degree: No specific degree is required, but many fugitive retrieval agents complete associate’s or bachelor’s degrees in related fields like criminal justice.
- Experience: Part of being a licensed bounty hunter is building a client base. The more successful captures you have, the broader your client relationships will become.
- Citizenship: California bounty hunters should be both citizens of the U.S. and residents of California.
Additional Requirements
- Background Screening: Fugitive recovery agents must have no felony convictions (or must carry a Bail Agent license from the CDI). A background check establishes this qualification.
- All agents must have a $1,000 surety bond against handling collected monies.
- Examination: The CDI will conduct a bail licensing examination, which you must pass with a minimum score of 70%.
California Bounty Hunter License
- License Application: Applying for a license as a bail agent in California is optional unless you have a felony conviction, in which case it is requisite. You must, however, carry your certified training documentation and exam results with you at all times.
- Licensure: All bail fugitive retrieval agents in California must complete 6 hours of continuing education every year to maintain their legal status.
Degrees related to Bounty Hunters
Many bounty hunters choose to pursue higher education in a field that will enhance their skills and ability to perform their duties. These can include criminal justice, law, psychology, criminology, sociology, or political science.
Discover bounty hunter and criminal justice programs in California that are a match for you!
Major Cities in California
California is a sprawling state with several large cities. By far the largest of these is Los Angeles, with other well-known cities being the state capital of Sacramento, the cities of San Diego and San Francisco, Bakersfield, and Fresno. All of these cities have seen the necessity for bounty hunters and would be good places to seek employment.
Job Duties of Bounty Hunters in California
Bounty hunters have a basic duty to track down “skippers,” or those who have jumped bail for a crime and are on the run. Fugitive retrieval agents track down these criminals and return them to justice in the county where they were originally wanted. This requires operating within strict legal boundaries, however; bounty hunters may not identify as law enforcement or wear a uniform or gear that marks them as such. They cannot enter a private residence without permission from the owner. They also must carry documentation of their status as a bounty hunter at all times and failure to do so is a felony. Before making an arrest, a bounty hunter is required to notify local law enforcement at least 6 hours prior.
Related Careers
The most closely-related degrees to bounty hunters are private detectives, whose skill at investigation and detection closely mirror the duties of a bounty hunter, and process servers, who deal with court-related paperwork, issuing notices, filing and retrieving legal documents.
Employment Numbers in California
Though the BLS (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) does not track data for bounty hunters, a close approximation of the employment outlook can be had by looking at private detectives, a field that is closely related and is tracked. California is the top employer in the nation for these men and women, and the field is expected to grow by a fifth over the next five years.
California Bounty Hunter Salary
Using the same estimated figures, the average annual earnings across the state of California range around $58,000, but depending on the specific city can be as low as $31,500 or run as high as over $82,000.
Bounty Hunter Programs and Schools in California
Bounty Hunter Programs and Schools in California
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Choose your area of study and receive free information about programs you are interested in. Private investigators are used by law firms, law enforcement, insurance companies, as well as individuals to conduct investigations to build criminal and civil cases. A degree related to criminal justice could benefit an aspiring private investigator greatly. Request information from multiple schools to find the best program and educational opportunity for you!