The rules and regulations surrounding bail bonds in Nevada are complicated.

Fortunately, we know the subject well enough to distill the oftentimes complicated language and make it easy to understand.

While this information is readily available elsewhere online, we hope our simple, unique way of explaining things makes it more accessible to the average person.

If you already know about the rules and regulations surrounding bail bonds and are ready to work with us, call us anytime at (702) 333-2663 or visit our Home Page.

Please Note: The information in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. It is for general informational purposes only.

Bail Definitions

Bail Agent: A person with the authority to post bail bonds for defendants.

Bail Agency: A company with the authority to post bail bonds for defendants.

Bail Solicitor: Someone who is hired by a bail agent to solicit bail transactions.

Bail Enforcement Agent: Someone who locates or apprehends defendants or enforces the terms of the defendant’s release from custody.

General Agent: Someone who acts as the middleman for a bail agent and an insurance company.

General Agency: An agency that acts as the middleman for bail agents and insurance companies.

Bail Agent Licensing Requirements

There are four types of bail licenses in Nevada, one for each of the following positions:

  • Bail Agent (or Agency)
  • Bail Solicitor
  • Bail Enforcement Agent
  • General Agent (or Agency)

To get a bail license in the state of Nevada, applicants must go through the Commissioner of Insurance.

The Commissioner of Insurance’s job is to make sure that bail agents in Nevada act in a lawful manner, thus keeping the industry fair for consumers and bail companies alike.

About Each License Type Simplified

1. Bail Agent or Bail Agency License 

Qualifications: The bail agent must be 18 or older, have lived in Nevada for one year minimum, taken the Nevada State Bail Pre-licensing Course, and passed the Nevada State Bail Exam. If the applicant is a bail agency, the owner must be a licensed bail agent. The bail agency must also file an Article of Incorporation with the Nevada Secretary of State.

Requirements: The applicant must provide a copy of their Nevada driver’s license and complete five forms—Residency Verification, Bail Residency Questionnaire, Fingerprint Background Waiver, Electronic Fingerprint Receipt, and Local Law Enforcement Printout. Applicants are also required to file a Surety License Bond and pay an application fee.

2. Bail Solicitor License

Qualifications: The applicant must be 18 or older, have lived in Nevada for three months minimum, taken the Nevada State Bail Pre-Licensing course, passed the Nevada State Bail Exam, and be employed by (and affiliate with) a legitimate bail agency.

Requirements: The applicant must provide a copy of their Nevada driver’s license and complete five forms—Proof of Residency, Bail Residency Questionnaire, Fingerprint Background Waiver, Electronic Fingerprint Receipt, and Local Law Enforcement Printout. Applicants are also required to file a Surety License Bond and pay an application fee.

3. Bail Enforcement Agents

Qualifications: The applicant must be 21 or older, be a U.S. Citizen, have a High School Diploma, and provide proof of required training. For more details about the required training, call us at (702) 333-2663.

Requirements: The applicant must provide examination results from a Nevada Psychiatrist or Psychologist and complete four forms—Controlled Substance Exam, Fingerprint Background Waiver, Electronic Fingerprint Receipt, and Local Law Enforcement Printout. Applicants are also required to pay an application fee.

4. General Agent or Agency

Qualifications: The applicant must be 18 or older, provide proof of completion of Nevada State Bail Pre-Licensing Education, be an authorized insurer, and provide a copy of the contract that states they are the insurer’s general agent. If the applicant is a general agency, they must be an authorized insurer and provide a copy of the contract that states they are the insurer’s general agency. In addition, they must show registration by providing articles from the Nevada Secretary of State.

Requirements: The applicant must complete three forms—Fingerprint Background Waiver, Electronic Fingerprint Receipt, and Local Law Enforcement Printout. Applicants are also required to file a Surety License Bond and pay an application fee.

If the applicant is a general agency, they must provide a few different statements. These include a statement saying they will not solicit or negotiate undertakings of bail, a Fiduciary Account or Remittance Statement, and a Financial Statement. Agency applicants are also required to file a Surety License Bond and pay an application fee.

If the applicant is not from Nevada, then they must provide a Certificate of License Status from their state of residence in addition to meeting the other requirements.

For more details about any of the license types, call us at (702) 333-2663.

Violating Bail Law

If you feel a bail agent, solicitor, enforcement agent, or general agent has broken the law, you can report them to the Division of Insurance.

Some specific laws that we would like to highlight are:

NRS 697.090 License required; administrative fine; general restrictions on licensing.

This law essentially states that performing the functions of a bail licensee without actually being one is not allowed and that the fine for breaking this law is no more than $1,000 for each violation.

This law goes on to say that the Commissioner of Insurance cannot issue a license to a person who is shown to be untrustworthy, incompetent, or unqualified. Likewise, if such a person already has a license, the Commissioner of Insurance cannot allow the license to continue.

NRS 697.100 Licensing of natural persons and corporations.

This law essentially states that no license may be issued to a bail agent, bail solicitor, or bail enforcement agent unless they are a natural person. If you are confused by the term “natural person” here, this just means that the person has to be a human being as opposed to a corporation with personhood created by law.

With that said, a corporation can get a bail agent license or a bail enforcement agent license if it is owned and controlled by an authorized insurer (or one of the insurer’s subsidiaries) OR if the corporation is owned and controlled by a licensed agent.

This law also states that only licensed people can enter into partnerships to conduct bail business. Thus, for example, you cannot have one licensed person working with one unlicensed person or two unlicensed people working together to run a bail agency. Both must be licensed.

Required Bail Licensing Forms

Bail Employee Registration Form ID6-BE –  Every bail agent or agency that has employed people for a total of 30 days or more during a 1-year period must complete this form. The bail agent or agency must fill out the information for every person they have employed in any bail-related capacity.

Name Change Bail Form – If a licensee wants to change their name, they use this form.

Fictitious Name Approval Bail Form – If a licensee wants to use a fictitious name, they fill out this form.

Sample Copies of Forms – Bail licensees submit sample copies of the forms they use with this form.

Additional Locations (Firms Only) – Firms use this form to register, change, or remove additional business locations. This form does not apply to the primary business location.

Designated Licensee (Firms Only) – Firms use this form to remove, add, or change persons on file with the Division of Insurance.

Early Surrender Of Defendant Form (Form M-8C) – This form is used when a defendant is surrendered early. For those unfamiliar with the bail process, a defendant may be surrendered early (or brought back into custody) if there is good cause. What constitutes good cause is an in-depth topic in its own right. For more information, call us at (702) 333-2663.

Voluntary Surrender of License Form –  This form is used when a licensee wishes to surrender their license.

Bail Solicitor Appointment –  This form is used by a bail agent when they want to appoint a bail solicitor.

Our Sources For Bail Information

See the following resources for further bail information:

  • Bail Home Page – Nevada Division of Insurance
  • NEVADA REVISED STATUTES ANNOTATED TITLE 57. INSURANCE. CHAPTER 697. BUSINESSES RELATED TO BAIL.
  • NEVADA REVISED STATUTES ANNOTATED TITLE 14. PROCEDURE IN CRIMINAL CASES. CHAPTER 178.

Contact Us

If you have any questions relating to the information above, we would be happy to explain. Call us anytime at (702) 333-2663. We are available 24/7.