Primary Considerations

• To enroll in a school as a prospective bail bondsman in Virginia you must have either a high school diploma or its GED equivalent to be admitted. Additionally, you must be at least 18 and a citizen of the United States. During the process, you will have to submit a personal criminal history if one exists. Virginia requires 24 hours worth of class training to become a bail bondsman. This is then followed with the official exam which can lead to licensing.
  
  

Schools

• The Virgina Department of Criminal Justice Services provides a list of the schools or organizations that provide training for future bail bondsman. As of 2011, this list includes (AAA) Stingray Enterprises, Accredited Security Training Inc., American Millenium Group LLC, Blue Ridge Training Services Inc., Central Training Academy Inc., Central Virginia Community College, Chesterfield Security Training Academy Inc., Criminal Justice & Security Institute of Virginia, Finders Investigations Inc., Henrico Legal Research & Technology Corp., Insight Investigations & Security Services Inc., International Consultants, J.B. Investigations & Security Services Inc., Professional Security Service and Regional Marketing Concepts Inc. See resources for specific addresses and contact information.
  
  

Content

• Again, the minimum acceptable training time is 24 hours but you may see as much as 40 hours in some programs. The class work will include basic as well as more targeted insurance courses. You may also be required to take classes handling ethics, professionalism and avoiding conflicts of interest. You will be exposed to the relevant legal mechanisms that will affect your job. The 40E course is required and you must attain a grade of 70 percent or better or a 75 percent or better on the 07/08E to be capable of continuing the process. Firearms training will also be an option at some locations. Tuition rates may vary. At the Criminal Justice and Security Institute of Virginia the bondsman course costs $400.
  
  

General Criminal Justice

• Due to the legal, weapons and other knowledge often required of bail bondsman, you are encouraged to take classes in criminal justice at Virginia state or public institutions. Not only will these courses enhance your abilities and knowledge-base, but potentially make you more attractive to prospective employers. In addition to such institutions as Marymount University and James Madison University, scores of other schools offer this program, many of them online. The latter makes continuing educational opportunities more flexible, and often cheaper.