The home of Myrtle Beach, the home of the oldest minor league ballpark, and the 8th state to become a part of the Union, as well as the site of the first battle in the Civil War, South Carolina has a long legacy of importance in our nation. When fugitives attempt to escape justice in this state, bounty hunters find them and bring them in. This is an exciting career, and if it appeals to you, here’s everything you need to know about pursuing this path in South Carolina.
South Carolina Bounty Hunter Requirements
Bounty Hunters in the state of South Carolina are known as bail bond runners, and may not refer to themselves as bounty hunters. They must be licensed and overseen by the state Department of Insurance and the South Carolina Bail Agents’ Association.
Basic State Requirements
- Education: Runner bondsmen in South Carolina must complete 30 hours of authorized pre-licensing training.
- Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
- Degree: No degree is required, but pursuing a criminal justice education can be very helpful.
- Experience: Experience isn’t required but working under a mentor can build skills as well as a client base.
- Citizenship: You must be eligible for employment in the U.S. and a South Carolina residence.
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Additional Requirements
- Background Screening: An absence of felony convictions and solid moral character are required, and must be established through background screening and fingerprinting.
- Exams: The PSI Professional Bondsman exam is required, which carries a $45 fee and is 60 questions.
South Carolina Bounty Hunter License
- License Application: The application fee is $200, and should include fingerprint cards, certification of your pre-licensing, your exam scores and a passport-style photograph.
- Licensure: Your license must be renewed annually, and carries a requirement of eight hours’ continuing education credits.
South Carolina Bounty Hunter Education
Bounty hunters often pursue higher education in the form of a 2- or 4-year degree in forensics, criminology, criminal justice, law enforcement, psychology or a related field.
Discover bounty hunter and criminal justice programs in South Carolina that are a match for you!
Major Cities in South Carolina
Major South Carolina cities include Charleston, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, Greenville and Hilton Head, and runners can be found in many of these cities.
Job Duties of a Bounty Hunter in South Carolina
Bail bond runners work hard and have a dangerous but exciting job of ensuring the safety and security of South Carolina residents by returning fugitives to justice. They must be employed by professional bondsmen, and may not be independent contractors. They have to obey all relevant laws related to fugitive apprehension and must work closely with local law enforcement.
Related Careers
Careers most closely associated with bounty hunters include private investigators, and court process servers.
Employment Numbers in South Carolina
Employment numbers aren’t tracked by the BLS for bail bond runners, but we can use private detective numbers by a close proxy. These project an 11% growth in the job by 2022.
South Carolina Bounty Hunter Salary
Salary numbers as well are based on those for private detectives, which indicate that you can expect to earn on average around $49,290 in the state.
Bounty Hunter Programs and Schools in South Carolina
Bounty Hunter Programs and Schools in South Carolina
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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!