🔗 Bail Bondsman License Requirements by State

Compare bail bondsman license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 42 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level bail bondsman license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $75–$75. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.
StateLicense RequiredExperienceExam FeeMedian Salary
ALAlabama Required — $75 $36,835
AKAlaska Required — $75 $52,501
AZArizona Required — $75 $41,069
ARArkansas Required — $75 $35,565
CACalifornia Required — $75 $58,429
COColorado Required — $75 $45,727
CTConnecticut Required — $75 $48,690
DEDelaware Required — $75 $42,340
DCDistrict of Columbia Not Required — — $54,195
FLFlorida Required — $75 $40,646
GAGeorgia Required — $75 $39,376
HIHawaii Required — $75 $57,159
IDIdaho Required — $75 $39,799
ILIllinois Not Required — — $44,457
INIndiana Required — $75 $38,529
IAIowa Required — $75 $37,682
KSKansas Required — $75 $37,682
KYKentucky Not Required — — $37,682
LALouisiana Required — $75 $38,106
MEMaine Not Required — — $41,069
MDMaryland Required — $75 $46,150
MAMassachusetts Not Required — — $51,654
MIMichigan Required — $75 $39,799
MNMinnesota Required — $75 $44,033
MSMississippi Required — $75 $35,142
MOMissouri Required — $75 $38,106
MTMontana Required — $75 $40,646
NENebraska Not Required — — $38,106
NVNevada Required — $75 $43,186
NHNew Hampshire Required — $75 $44,033
NJNew Jersey Required — $75 $49,961
NMNew Mexico Required — $75 $38,529
NYNew York Required — $75 $55,042
NCNorth Carolina Required — $75 $38,952
NDNorth Dakota Required — $75 $40,223
OHOhio Required — $75 $38,952
OKOklahoma Required — $75 $36,835
OROregon Not Required — — $46,574
PAPennsylvania Required — $75 $41,493
RIRhode Island Required — $75 $43,610
SCSouth Carolina Required — $75 $38,529
SDSouth Dakota Required — $75 $37,259
TNTennessee Required — $75 $38,106
TXTexas Required — $75 $39,799
UTUtah Required — $75 $41,069
VTVermont Required — $75 $42,763
VAVirginia Required — $75 $43,186
WAWashington Not Required — — $49,961
WVWest Virginia Required — $75 $36,412
WIWisconsin Not Required — — $39,799
WYWyoming Required — $75 $40,223

Common questions about bail bondsman licensing

Do all states require a bail bondsman license?

No — 42 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level bail bondsman license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a bail bondsman license?

Application fees across the states range $75–$75. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a bail bondsman license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range varies across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.