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Virginia Bail Bondsman Licensing

How to Become a Bail Bondsman in Virginia

Becoming a bail bondsman in Virginia is a state-regulated process overseen by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). The requirements depend in part on whether you are pursuing a Surety, Property, or Agent Bail Bondsman license.

This guide walks you through the Virginia licensing process, required 40E training and examination, the requirements that change by license category, and what comes after licensing.

DCJS License Categories

Which Virginia Bail Bondsman License Fits Your Path?

Virginia recognizes three bail bondsman categories: Surety, Property, and Agent. They do not operate under the same financial or authority structure, so understanding the difference is an important first step.

Amistad works with qualified Surety Bail Bondsmen. Property and Agent Bail Bondsmen are included here so you can understand how Virginia distinguishes each category.

Surety Bail Bondsman

Authority: Va. Code § 9.1-185 / 6VAC20-250

A Surety Bail Bondsman writes bail bonds under the authority of an insurance company. Virginia requires this category to hold the applicable Property & Casualty insurance license through the State Corporation Commission and a DCJS Surety Bail Bondsman license, along with the qualifying power-of-attorney authority required for the insurer relationship.

What Makes This Path DifferentThe Surety path combines DCJS bail-bondsman licensing with insurance licensing through the SCC. You need both the insurance license and the separate DCJS Surety Bail Bondsman license, plus the qualifying insurer authority that allows you to write bonds.
DCJS Qualifications

What Are the Requirements to Become a Bail Bondsman in Virginia?

Virginia has eligibility, training, examination, application, and background requirements that apply broadly to bail bondsman applicants. Additional requirements depend on whether you choose the Surety, Property, or Agent category.

Explore the phases below to see what applies and when.

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Basic Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old, be a U.S. citizen or legal resident alien of the United States, and hold a high school diploma or GED.

Source: Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) — established by Va. Code § 9.1-185 and 6VAC20-250.

View Official DCJS Requirements
Step-by-Step Process

The Virginia Path From Applicant to Licensed Bail Bondsman

Follow the licensing process from choosing your category through the steps required before you begin operating.

Step 1 of 8
1Step 1

Choose Your License Category

Determine whether you will apply as a Surety Bail Bondsman, Property Bail Bondsman, or Agent Bail Bondsman. Each category has different authority, collateral, or insurance requirements.

Select any step above to explore that phase.
DCJS Training Mandate

Bail Bondsman Training in Virginia: Understanding the 40E Requirement

Virginia requires initial bail bondsman applicants to complete 40E — Bail Bondsmen Entry-Level Core Training before becoming licensed. The course provides the state-required foundation for entering the profession, but it is not the same as learning how to operate a bail bond business day to day.

State-Required 40E Training
40hours

40E — Bail Bondsmen Entry-Level Core Training must be completed through a DCJS-certified or licensed private security services training school. The course covers subjects related to the duties and responsibilities of bail bondsmen and the Virginia laws and regulations governing bail bonding.

View DCJS 40E Course Information
Practical Bail Bond Business Learning

The state-required course is only one part of becoming ready to operate. New agents also need practical knowledge of how bail bond operations work in real situations.

  • Underwriting and risk evaluation
  • Client and indemnitor intake
  • Documentation and agreements
  • Court-date tracking
  • Case organization
  • Communication and follow-up
  • Practical business systems
  • Building a professional local presence

Amistad Bail Bonds is an agent network, not a DCJS-certified 40E training provider. Amistad works with qualified agents on the practical side of moving from licensing toward operating.

Learn More About Bail Bondsman Training
Virginia Surety Path

Why Virginia Surety Bail Bondsmen Need a Property & Casualty License

Virginia's Surety Bail Bondsman category combines DCJS bail-bondsman licensing with insurance licensing through the State Corporation Commission. The P&C license covers the insurance side of the relationship, while DCJS separately licenses the individual as a Surety Bail Bondsman.

Property & Casualty License
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DCJS Surety Bail Bondsman License
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Qualifying Insurer Power of Attorney
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Virginia Surety Bondsman Structure

Already a Virginia Property & Casualty Insurance Professional?

If you already hold an active Virginia Property & Casualty producer license, you may already have the insurance-license component of the Surety path in place. You still need to satisfy the separate DCJS bail-bondsman requirements and obtain the qualifying insurer authority required for the Surety category.

Holding a Property & Casualty license alone does not make someone a licensed Virginia Surety Bail Bondsman. The 40E training, examination, DCJS application, and qualifying power of attorney still apply.

Beyond the License

Getting Your Virginia License Is Only the Beginning

Completing the licensing process is an important milestone, but a license alone does not create an operating bail bond business. The category-specific authority, underwriting judgment, and operating systems required for your path still matter.

Legal / License Requirements+Category Authority+Underwriting Judgment+Operating Systems=Ready to Operate
AUTHORITY

How do I become authorized to write Surety bail bonds?

For the Surety path, bond-writing authority depends on more than holding the DCJS license. The applicable Property & Casualty insurance license and the qualifying insurer power-of-attorney relationship must also be in place. Your actual bond-writing authority is governed by the applicable license, appointment, power of attorney, company requirements, and approved authority.

Select Your Starting Point

Where Are You in the Virginia Process?

Choose the option that best describes where you are today. We'll take you to the next guidance that applies to your situation.

Your Next Step

I'm Not Licensed Yet

Start with the Virginia new-agent path to understand the DCJS licensing process, 40E training, examination, application steps, and what comes after licensing.

START THE VIRGINIA NEW AGENT PATH →
Agent Network Support

Where Amistad Fits in Your Surety Bondsman Path

Virginia DCJS controls licensing. You operate your own business. Amistad's role is to help qualified Surety Bail Bondsmen connect the pieces between bond-writing authority, underwriting judgment, day-to-day operations, and building a local business.

Here is what that relationship can look like in practice.

1

Surety Relationship & Bond-Writing Authority

Qualified Virginia Surety Bail Bondsmen working with Amistad may be appointed to write bail bonds through Allegheny Casualty Company, subject to DCJS licensing, applicable insurance licensing, appointment eligibility, underwriting requirements, authority, and approval. The appointment and power-of-attorney relationship define the authority under which approved bonds are written.

2

Learn to Evaluate Bonds Responsibly

Having authority to write a bond does not mean every bond should be written. Amistad can help newer agents develop practical underwriting judgment — evaluating defendants and indemnitors, recognizing warning signs, understanding collateral where applicable, asking better questions, and knowing when additional review may be needed.

3

Build a Repeatable Way to Operate

Amistad can help qualified agents build practical processes around client intake, agreements, case organization, court-date tracking, communication, follow-up, and the tools that keep the work connected. The goal is not more software. It is a business that stays organized as calls, customers, and active bonds increase.

4

Build Value in Your Own Market

The Agent Network is designed to help qualified agents build value around their own local business identity, customer relationships, reputation, and market presence. You are building your business — not simply disappearing behind the Amistad name.

Allegheny Casualty Company — Surety insurer / insurer authority
Amistad Insurance Services, Inc. — General Agent / contracting relationship and agent support
You — The Agent — Independent contractor operating the local bail bond business

Your Name. Your Market. Your Business.

The Agent Network is designed to help qualified agents build value around their own local business identity, customer relationships, reputation, and market presence while benefiting from industry relationships, guidance, and operating support.

You Build
  • Your local brand
  • Your customer relationships
  • Your reputation
  • Your market presence
  • Your business decisions
Amistad Supports
  • Surety relationship
  • Underwriting development
  • Operating structure
  • Business tools
  • Local growth
See If the Amistad Agent Network Fits You

Agent contracts are entered into with Amistad Insurance Services, Inc. Agents are independent contractors, not employees. Licensing, appointments, contracts, income, business volume, and business success are not guaranteed.

Common VA Questions

Virginia Bail Bondsman Licensing FAQs

Answers to common questions about becoming licensed and operating as a bail bondsman in Virginia.

Information maintained and reviewed by Amistad Bail Bonds Agent Network. Last reviewed: August 2026. Licensing rules and procedures are governed by Va. Code § 9.1-185, 6VAC20-250, and Virginia DCJS.