Do Bail Bondsmen Have to be Licensed?

Bail bondsmen help the accused pay their bail so that they may go home while awaiting the resolution of their case. Bonds are often set out of the budget of the accused individual. Without bondsmen, these people would be stuck in jail unless you were a wealthy person. Bail bonds allow you to put up a fraction of the cost of your bond as collateral so that you may get home quickly. As you might guess, it can be easy to take advantage of individuals who are stuck in a tough situation. Governments impose strict laws to regulate the bail bonds industry and prevent bondsmen from taking advantage of vulnerable people.

So, do bail bondsmen have to be licensed in Texas? The short answer is yes. All bondsmen must be licensed to legally operate in the industry. It is a federal requirement. Agents must take all necessary classes that are approved by the state bar of Texas. They also must pass the national bail bond agent exam. Finally, they must register with the state of Texas as a bail bonds company.