Becoming a bounty hunter in Missouri proceeds along the following steps:
 | Meet basic qualifications |
 | Obtain an educational platform |
 | Basic training and exam |
 | Apply with the Missouri Department of Insurance for a Surety Recovery Agent License |
 | Maintain the Missouri license |
Bounty hunters in Missouri, who are also known as surety recovery agents, only dealt with a fraction of the individuals involved in the nearly 440,000 criminal cases that went through the state’s judicial system last year. It is thanks to the surety recovery agents who brought fugitives back to the jurisdiction of the courts that the bail bond industry can function and keep its customer costs low.
Besides benefiting bail bond consumers, bounty hunters in Missouri work in an exciting, albeit at times dangerous, profession.
Step 1. Meeting the Basic Qualifications
Before discussion of any Missouri bounty hunter school and license requirements, its necessary to start with the basics. Candidates interested in becoming surety recovery agents must meet the following conditions:
- Preferably no convictions for crimes of moral turpitude
- No felony convictions
- Be a U.S. citizen at least 21 years of age or older
- High school diploma or GED
Step 2. Having the Right Educational Platform
Having a solid grounding in the bounty hunter field and its required skill areas can mean the difference between going home empty-handed and capturing a target fugitive. Certification and degrees in any of the following areas can help you to be as prepared as possible:
- Criminal Justice
- Self-defense
- Law Enforcement
- Criminal Psychology
- Forensics
Having an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in any of these subjects can be additionally beneficial if you have an eye toward a future career in law enforcement.
Step 3. Basic Training and Exam
Your next step will be to sign up for a required education course that provides the basic training for bounty hunter jobs in Missouri. The Department of Insurance, the agency responsible for regulating the state’s surety recovery agents, maintains a list of approved 24-hour basic training course providers. These classes typically cost around $200 and run for two or three days. Topics covered include:
- Missouri laws and statutes
- Personal safety strategies
- Introduction and history to the bail bond industry
- Working conditions in Missouri
Having at least two years of law enforcement experience will exempt you from this basic training.
After completing the 24 hours of training, you will need to register with Pearson Vue, the company responsible for administering the Missouri Surety Recovery Agent Exam. Completion of this exam is required for licensure as a surety recovery agent by the Missouri Department of Insurance, and includes topics such as:
- Discharging bail
- Capture of defendant
- Bond forfeitures, postings, and transfers
- Surrenders and arrests
- Bond exoneration
- Failure to appear
Step 4. Applying with the Missouri Department of Insurance
Once you have passed the surety recovery agent exam you can apply for official licensure with the Missouri Department of Insurance. To do this you will need to submit the following to the Department’s office in Jefferson City:
- Surety Recovery Agent Application
- $150 application fee
- MACHS FBI and Missouri Highway Patrol fingerprint background test. You will need to provide the Department of Insurance number to register: 2955
- Official certificate of basic training completion
- Copy of government-issued photo identification
Step 5. Maintaining the Surety Recovery Agent License
Your will need to renew your surety recovery agent license before it expires every two years. To do this you can submit the following to the Department of Insurance:
- Another MACHS background investigation
- Renewal Application
- $150 renewal fee
- Proof of eight hours of continuing education
Your continuing education must be state-approved and can be found through Pearson Vue as well as many of the same companies that offer 24-hour basic training courses.
Keeping up with fellow bounty hunters can be a good way to stay informed about developments in the industry and changes in state law. Blogs such as the Missouri Bondsman can also provide insightful support and information.
Sources: http://insurance.mo.gov/industry/faq/BailBondSuretyRecovery.php
http://insurance.mo.gov/industry/faq/documents/375-0112s-8-12.pdf
http://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/SAC/data_and_statistics_ucr_query_backup.html
https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=11855