Nevada is the entertainment capital of the world, known for its casinos, shows, glitz and glam, and is a state which carries a legacy of pioneer history and spirit. Occasionally, a fugitive from the law tries to go on the run in Nevada, and when that happens, bounty hunters are the ones who track them down and bring them in to face justice. Here’s an overview of all you need to know about becoming a fugitive retrieval agent in Nevada.
Nevada Bounty Hunter Requirements
Bounty Hunters in Nevada are properly called Bail Enforcement Agents and have to meet very stringent requirements and abide by strict oversight, with bail bonds agencies falling under the auspices of the Nevada Division of Insurance.
Basic State Requirements
- Education: You must complete a bail enforcement course comprising 80 hours of education and training, plus CPR and first-aid training.
- Age: You must be 21 years old.
- Degree: You must have a high school diploma or GED. Many bounty hunters also pursue a degree in criminal justice, but this is not required.
- Experience: As you grow in your career, your client base and successful arrests will also increase.
- Citizenship: You must be a United States citizen or legal resident alien.
Additional Requirements
- Background Screening: You must not have a felony conviction, a conviction of a crime of moral turpitude, or any conviction related to possession of a controlled substance. Fingerprinting costs $38.25.
- Exams: The Nevada State Insurance Exam offered through Pearson Vue is required for bounty hunter licensure. This exam costs $51, and you must answer at least 67% of the 50 questions correctly to qualify.
- Psychological Evaluation: This must be conducted by a Nevada licensed psychologist or psychiatrist.
- Drug test: A drug test must be completed within 30 days of your application.
Nevada Bounty Hunter License
- License Application: Your application carries a $185 fee, and should include your fingerprint and background check, your high school diploma or GED, results of your psychological exam, your driver’s license or state ID, and certification of training.
- Licensure: Your license must be renewed every three years, which requires three hours of continuing education and a renewal fee of $185, in addition to the application.
Nevada Bounty Hunter Education
Degrees related to bail retrieval and enforcement include criminal justice, forensics, sociology, criminal psychology, law and government, and criminology.
Major Cities in Nevada
Most major cities in Nevada host one or more bail bonds agencies that work with bounty hunters. These include Reno, Las Vegas, Carson City, and Henderson.
Job Duties of a Bounty Hunter in Nevada
Bounty hunters recover fugitives from justice and return them in exchange for a contracted fee or posted reward. They must obey all relevant laws. They may not arrest a defendant before a scheduled court date without demonstrating just cause. They must immediately inform local law enforcement of any capture and they may not engage in forcible entry without notifying law enforcement.
Related Careers
Careers that are closely associated with law enforcement include process servers who file legal paperwork and serve court documents. Also very closely related are private investigators, who use the same skills in the course of their daily work.
Employment Numbers in Nevada
The government doesn’t track salary and outlook for bounty hunters, but it does for private investigators, and these fields are very closely related. It is expected by Projections Central that jobs will increase by 6% by 2022.
Nevada Bounty Hunter Salary
Based on P.I. estimates, a bounty hunter can expect to make around $44,300 annually in Nevada.
Bounty Hunter Programs and Schools in Nevada
Bounty Hunter Programs and Schools in Nevada
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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!