In some states, only licensed "Bail Agents," who specialize in bail bond underwriting and issuance can post the bail bonds. These bail agents act as the appointed representatives of licensed surety insurance companies.

The respective departments for insurance, in each state, regulate and provide the licenses to the bail agents. The agents applying for license must be at least 18 years of age, be a resident of that state and a citizen of the United States. They must have sufficient financial resources to comply with the procedures, unless the individual is only an agent for a corporation holding a license. The agent must have at least one year of continuous work experience in the bail bond business and must have completed at least eight hours of continuing legal education in criminal law or the bail bond law courses that have been approved by the State Bar. The bail bond agent must have had this experience at least two years before the application for the license is filed.

The license number of every licensed bail bond agent must appear in all the possible advertisements such as yellow pages or telephone book advertiseme

nts, billboards, newspapers, magazines, and other widely distributed media publications. It is not required that agents provide the license number on business cards.

Cashier's checks and certificates of deposit can be used as security for a bail bond license. The original checks have to be delivered to the board along with the application. These checks are deposited into the bond security account.

Bail bond agencies must renew their licenses every year, as the Department of Licensing does not prorate agency fees. Also, the agency is responsible for all the bail bond agents working with them.

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