Bail enforcement agents in Utah must be appointed by a bail bond surety and must receive money or other valuable items for their services. Before licensure as a bail enforcement agent in Utah can occur, certain prerequisites must be met and steps followed. You must:
 | Meet Basic Utah Qualifications |
 | Complete Education, Training and Experience Requirements in Utah |
 | Pass Applicable Utah Exams |
 | Submit your Utah Application |
 | Now that you’re a Utah Bail Enforcement Agent |
Bounty hunters in Utah are referred to as “bail enforcement agents”. Under Utah Code, bail enforcement agents are licensed to enforce the conditions and terms of a defendant’s release on bail in a criminal or civil case, and to apprehend or surrender a defendant to custody.
Step 1. Meet Basic Qualifications for Bail Enforcement Agents in Utah
In order to become a bail enforcement agent/bounty hunter in Utah, you must first meet these qualifications:
- You are a U.S. citizen or legal resident
- You are at least 21 years old
- You have a good moral character, including:
- No felony convictions on record
- No convictions for illegal use of or for carrying a dangerous weapon
- No convictions for acts of moral turpitude
- No convictions of acts of personal violence or force
- No convictions for impersonating a police officer
- No convictions for acts of fraud or dishonesty
- Are not on community supervision, parole, probation, or named in an outstanding arrest warrant
- Are not employed as a peace officer
- You complete 16 hours of required training and education (see below)
- You have at least 2000 hours of bail enforcement recovery experience prior to applying for bail enforcement licensure
- You submit the required application and fees (see below)
- You carry workers compensation insurance if required (see below)
Step 2. Complete Training and Experience Requirements for Utah Bail
Enforcement Agents
Education
A certificate or college degree is not a stated requirement of the Utah Department of Public Safety for bail enforcement agent (bounty hunter) licensure. However, having education in criminal justice or a related field can only help you in your quest to become a bail enforcement agent in Utah. The following degree or certification programs available in state and online can be beneficial to potential Utah bail enforcement agents:
- Diploma in Criminal Justice – Private and Homeland Security
- Associate of Science in Criminal Justice
- Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Legal Studies
Utah requires all prospective bail enforcement agents to complete a state-approved bail enforcement training course. If you will carry a firearm as part of your job as a bail enforcement agent, you must also complete an approved firearms training course. Bail enforcement training courses are currently offered by five organizations statewide:
- Bail Enforcement Academy of Utah, Salt Lake City
- Offers a two-day bail enforcement training course approved by the Utah Department of Public Safety
- Also offers a one-day firearms training course that meets Utah regulations for carrying a firearm while on duty as a bail enforcement agent and also for carrying a concealed weapon (CCW) in Utah
- Bail Enforcement Academy of Utah, Salt Lake City
- Pistol Pete’s, Sandy
- Offers a 16 hour bail enforcement training course approved by the Utah Department of Public Safety
- Also offers required training leading to a Concealed Carry Permit (CCP)
- Pistol Pete’s, Sandy
- J. Chapman Academy, Salt Lake City
- Offers a Certified Bail Enforcement (CBF) course required by the Utah Department of Public Safety
- Also offers the Utah Concealed Firearms Permit (CFP) course
- J. Chapman Academy, Salt Lake City
- Fox Force, Salt Lake City
- Offers a 16 hour bail enforcement training course approved by the Utah Department of Public Safety
A list of additional firearms instructors approved by the Utah Department of Public Safety may be found here.
Experience
Before you may apply to become a bail enforcement agent in Utah, you must complete 2000 hours of bail enforcement/recovery experience. This experience must be documented and include detail about your experience. In addition, it must be verified in writing by your employers. The official form upon which this experience must be documented is located within the application for licensure (below).
Step 3. Pass the Required Exams for Bail Enforcement Agents in Utah
Bail enforcement agents in Utah are not required to pass any examinations, except for those that might be required by your bail enforcement training course instructor and/or firearms instructors.
Step 4. Submit an Application to Become a Bail Enforcement Agent in Utah
Once you have completed the education, training and experience requirements, you are ready to apply for bail enforcement agent licensure in Utah. Submit the Application for Bail Enforcement Agent License. Make sure to check the appropriate license on the application for which you are applying. Include with your application:
- Documentation of 2000 hours of experience in bail enforcement/recovery
- Fee of $250 via check or money order payable to the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification or via Visa or MasterCard (this includes the $30.25 fee charged by the BI to process your fingerprints and run a criminal background investigation)
- Copy of your driver’s license or state-issued id card
- Recent passport-sized color photograph (2 inches x 2 inches)
- Copy of your certificate of completion of the bail enforcement training course
- Completed fingerprint card (obtained from the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification)
- Copy of your certification of completion of your firearms course, if you intend to carry a firearm
Mail everything to the Bureau of Criminal Identification, 3888 West 5400 South, Taylorsville, UT 84129 It may take the Bureau up to 90 days to process your application, as each application must be approved by the Bail Bond Recovery Licensure Board during a scheduled meeting. You will be notified whether your application is approved or denied.
Step 5. Now that You’re a Bail Enforcement Agent in Utah
Congratulations! You are now a licensed bail enforcement agent in Utah! You must renew this license annually. The Utah Department of Public Safety does not mail out renewal notices, so it is your responsibility to apply for renewal at least three months prior to your license expiration:
- Submit the Renewal Application for Bail Enforcement Agent Licensure
- Complete an eight hour firearms course and pass a shooting test upon each renewal or upgrade in licensure (enclose certification verifying completion)
- Complete eight hours of continuing classroom instruction approved by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (include certification verifying completion)
- Bail enforcement surety bond of $10,000 is required
- Enclose fee of $150, payable via check or money order to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation or via Visa or MasterCard
- If you are a bail enforcement agent who operates a bail bond recovery agency and has employees, you must carry workers compensation insurance and enclose a copy verifying this (if you are a private contractor, this does not apply)
Your license renewal application will be processed by the Bail Bond Recovery Licensure Board at its next meeting. It may take up to 90 days for approval or denial.
Remember, as a Bail Enforcement Agent in Utah, you are allowed to wear a badge such as that which is displayed and described at the Bureau’s website. Your clothing must also conform to the regulations posted there.
Sources: www.bountyhunters.uslegal.com/licensing-and-arrest-authority-of-bounty-hunters/utah/
www.publicsafety.utah.gov/bci/bail.html