Get Licensed Steps 1-8:
1. You must meet the Minimum Qualifications
First review and understand the qualifications you must meet before taking the Pre-licensing Course. If you decide not to take the class after registering, fifty percent of your class fee will not be refunded.
The basic qualifications are: a) you must be at least 18 years of age, b) you must be a resident of North Carolina, c) you can NEVER have been convicted of a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude and d) you (or your spouse) cannot be employed by law enforcement or the courts. Check NCGS 58-71 for other qualifications. Click here to review these additional qualifications in the General Statute.
2. Obtain application from the NC Department of Insurance
You may obtain the application for a bail agent license from the Department of Insurance by request at (919) 807-6800 or download one from here. There is only one application for all licenses. Be sure to check the block for the license you are applying for and fill out all the appropriate areas of the application for that license. Do not mail this application until you have completed the Pre-licensing Course. All new applicants, by statute, receive a temporary license for their first year of licensure. During that year the new bondsman must work under the supervision of another bondsman that has been licensed at least 2 years. We recommend that you locate a supervising agent prior to registering for the pre-licensing class. That supervising agent will advise you on the type of license for which you need to apply. For the surety agent application, obtain an appointment from a surety company. For a bail bond runner application, obtain a power of attorney from professional bail agent you will be working for if you are to write bonds. For the professional bail agent application, you must have completed at least 12 months minimum experience under a supervising bail agent and be prepared to post the minimum $15,000.00 required security deposit.
3. Pre-licensing Bail Education Class
Register for the 12 hour Pre-Licensing Bail Education Class.Click here for Pre-licensing Registration Form in PDF. Call us at 919-832-0867 during office hours (9:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday) if you need help downloading these forms. Registration for the class must be received in the NCBAA office by the Wednesday prior to the class to be attended. We will send you a conformation of your seat in the class once a valid registration is received.
The association accepts Visa and Master Card for the $300 class tuition. Alternately, you may pay using the US Postal Service. To register, send a $300 money order with the name, address, phone and fax number (if available) of the student. (Must be received by Wednesday prior to class.) In all cases, canceling the class will forfeit 50% of the class tuition. Payment for class cannot be made at the class location. 4. Send in the application from the NC Department of Insurance
After you have completed the Pre-Licensing Course, send completed license application to the North Carolina Department of Insurance.
Application includes:
v the application form
v fees (all fees are non-refundable)
v passport size photo
v one set fingerprint cards
v certified copy of your criminal background from your home county
v copy of outstanding judgments
v copy of your pre-licensing class completion certificate
v At least two documents as evidence of your North Carolina residency for the last six months, such as a pay stub, lease agreement, utility bill or property tax bill.
5. Date established for the State Exam
Approximately 45 days from the date DOI receives your completed application, the Department of Insurance will schedule you to take the State Exam. You will receive an acknowledgment letter regarding your test date. During this time, a background investigation will be conducted. The DOI will also run your fingerprints through the State Bureau of Investigation.
6. Take the State Exam
Take your written bail bond test. The test consists of multiple choice questions. Applicants are given two (2) hours to complete the test and a passing score is 70%. Test questions are based on North Carolina General Statute Chapter 58, Article 71, North Carolina General Statute Chapter 15A, Article 26 and North Carolina Administrative Code 11 NCAC 13.0500.
7. PASS- Licensed Mailed
If you pass the test and you are approved for a license, you should receive your license within a few weeks. (Professional Bail Agent applicants will be notified of approval for license and required at that time to post your deposit.)
8. FAIL- Reapply in one year
If you fail the test, you will be eligible to re-apply for a license one year from the date of the first examination.
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Pre-licensing Class Dates
Monday classes are from 8:40am to 4:30pm. Tuesday classes are from 9:00am to 4:30pm.
March 10-11, 2008
April 7-8, 2008
May 12-13, 2008
June 9-10, 2008
July 7-8, 2008
Pre-licensing Class Location
As of July 1, 2002, the student must attend this class prior to sending an application to the Department of Insurance. Refunds must be requested in writing prior to class. All classes are held at the McKimmon Center on NC State Campus.
Directions to the McKimmon Center
To reach the McKimmon Center using 440, take exit 295, (from west, turn left on Gorman Street; from east, merge right on Gorman Street). Go through several traffic signals. Just before the Gorman Street/Western Boulevard signal, you will see the McKimmon Center on your right.
