Are Bounty Hunters in California Required to Be Licensed?

As of 2010, California requires a bounty hunter, legally referred to as a bail fugitive recovery person, to hold a license, according to the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.

History

• The state of California enacted the Bail Fugitive Recovery Persons Act---found under A 243 in California legal code---in September 1999, according to FugitiveRecovery.com. Before 1999, California did not license bounty hunters.

Requirements

• All bounty hunters must be at least 18 years old and have no felonies on their criminal record, according to the state of California. You must pass the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services class on using the power to arrest a citizen and a 40-hour course on "power of arrest" by Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. Also, you have to undergo a 12-hour class about the duties and responsibilities of bail agents by the Department of Insurance.

Tip

• You must carry all bounty hunter certificates on you whenever you are on the job, according to the State of California.