Section 130. Entry-level training

Part IV. Compulsory Minimum Training Standards for Bail Bondsmen

Article 1. Training Requirements

A. Each bail bondsman as defined by § 9.1-185 of the Code of Virginia, must meet the compulsory minimum training standards herein established, unless provided for otherwise in accordance with this regulation.

B. Training must be completed at a private security services training school certified or licensed by the department.

C. Training will be credited only if application for licensure is submitted to the department within 12 months of completion of training.

D. Hour requirement. The compulsory minimum entry-level training hour requirement by category, excluding examinations, practical exercises and range qualification, shall be:

1. Bail bondsman core training - 40 hours

2. Firearms training - 14 hours

E. Course content. The compulsory minimum entry-level training course content by category, excluding examinations, mandated practical exercises and range qualification, shall be as provided in this subsection.

Core subjects. The entry-level curriculum set forth the following areas identified as:

I. Orientation - two hours.

A. Ethical standards

1. Professionalism

2. Misrepresentation

3. Conflicts of interest

4. Information protection, confidentiality, and discretion requirements

B. Brief introduction to Code of Virginia and regulations relating to bail bondsman

II. Law - 12 hours plus one practical exercise.

A. Code of Virginia and regulations relating to bail bondsman

1. Definitions

2. Licensing procedures and requirements

3. Compulsory minimum training standards

4. Standards of practice and prohibited acts

5. Administrative requirements/standards of conduct

6. Administrative reviews, complaints, procedures, and responsibilities

B. Basic law

1. Legal terminology and definitions

2. Purpose and function of law

3. U.S. Constitution

a. Amendments

b. Bill of Rights

4. Landmark cases

5. Limitations and liability

C. Surety and property law

1. Surety bail bondsman

a. Insurance companies

b. Agent vs. attorney-in-fact

c. Virginia qualification requirements

2. Property bail bondsman

a. Virginia property requirements

b. Agent requirements

D. Courts

1. Civil court system

a. Federal

b. State

c. Local jurisdiction

d. Definitions

e. Civil judicial procedures

2. Criminal court system

a. State and federal

b. Legal authority and related issues

c. Liability concerns

d. Definitions/interpretations

e. Magistrates

E. Release from legal obligation

1. When defendant answers charge

2. Circulate the bail piece release

3. Special considerations

a. The recognizance

b. Preliminary hearing

c. Bond continuation pending pre-sentence report

d. Sentencing

e. Withhold findings

f. Bond reinstatement

III. Fugitive recovery - 24 hours plus one practical exercise.

A. Legal procedures

1. Bondsman's legal right to recover

2. Notice of show cause hearing

3. Entry of finding of default

4. Payment of forfeiture

5. Recovery: 24 months from entry of finding of default

6. Section 9.1-185.15 of the Code of Virginia, recovery of bailees

B. Criminal statutes

1. Liability considerations/liability insurance

2. Case law

3. Law enforcement

a. State

b. Federal

4. Reasonable force to effect apprehension

C. Use of recovery agents in Virginia

1. Virginia legal requirements

2. Recovery agents authority

3. Employee vs. independent contractor

4. Liability considerations/liability insurance

D. Investigative techniques

1. Surveillance

2. Court research

3. Law-enforcement coordination

4. Interviewing

5. Impersonation and misrepresentation

6. Reference materials and resource list

7. Skip-tracing techniques

8. Fugitive identification

E. Recovery procedures

1. Pursuit

a. Foot

b. Vehicular

c. Other

2. Entry and search

3. Perimeter/interior room control

F. Agent survival

1. Confrontation management

2. Use of force

3. Deadly force

4. Escalation of force

5. Emergency procedures

G. Apprehension of a fugitive

1. Compliant versus noncompliant procedures

2. Search of person

a. Personal items

b. Seizure of contraband

3. Handcuffing techniques

4. Rights of the accused

5. Detainment and transportation

6. Interstate transport

7. False arrest

IV. Responsibilities of bondsman and remanding to custody two hours plus one practical exercise.

A. Recovery in Virginia

B. Recovery out of Virginia; Uniform Extradition Act

C. International recovery

D. Legal detainment facilities

E. Entering the jail or sally port

F. Signing the bail piece/return to court

G. Hospital procedures for injuries

V. Documentation - two hours plus one practical exercise.

A. Required by the courts

B. Required by DCJS

C. Recordkeeping

D. Reporting

E. Retaining records

VI. Written examination

Total hours (excluding exam) - 40 hours

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 24, Issue 23, eff. August 20, 2008.

Statutory Authority

§ 9.1-185.2 of the Code of Virginia.