How to Become a Bounty Hunter: Career Guide
If you're interested in becoming a bounty hunter and working in criminal justice, here are some essential steps and requirements to help you pursue this career path successfully.
Becoming a bounty hunter requires a combination of education, training, and experience.
While there is no specific educational requirement to enter this field, many aspiring bounty hunters choose to pursue a degree in criminal justice or a related field to gain a solid understanding of the legal system and law enforcement procedures.
In addition to formal education, individuals interested in becoming bounty hunters often seek specialized training through programs offered by private investigation schools or law enforcement academies.
These training programs cover topics such as fugitive recovery techniques, surveillance methods, and legal considerations. Obtaining any required licenses or certifications that your state or jurisdiction may mandate is also vital.
Gaining practical experience through an apprenticeship or working with an experienced bounty hunter can provide the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in this challenging, but rewarding, profession.
What is a Bounty Hunter
When a person is arrested, they will go to court and be arraigned. During the arraignment, a judge can offer an individual a bail amount to let them out of jail until the next court date.
A bail bond agent can be called if an individual does not have the money. The individual will pay a percentage of the money, and the bail bonds agent will take care of the rest.
Sometimes, once out of jail, the person does not show up to their next court date, making their classification a fugitive, and that is when a bounty hunter is needed.
Also commonly called a fugitive recovery agent or bail enforcement agent, a bounty hunter's job is to capture and return individuals who have failed to appear on their appointed court date.
Bounty hunters work closely with bail bond agents as independent contractors to apprehend fugitives.
How to Become a Bounty Hunter
1. Investigate the Rules and Regulations Within Your State
With no uniformity regarding bounty hunting, each state has its rules and regulations. Some states prefer law enforcement agents to recover fugitives, making bounty hunters unnecessary.
Other states allow licensed private investigators to apprehend offenders. 28 states require licensing or specific regulation to practice bounty hunting in the state.
Many states also require specific coursework, insurance, and licensing to be a bounty hunter.
2. Begin to Build Relationships with Bail Bond Agents
Bail bond agents will contract bounty hunters; therefore, they should begin to build those relationships.
Bail bond agents can help you on your journey by providing tips and resources such as networking. There is also a possibility of getting scholarships or sponsorships from bail bond agents to help fund your education or training.
Although not mentioned as much, private investigators can be a valuable resource. They often hire bounty hunters to help locate fugitives. Remember that in some states, they are the competition.
3. Meet the Educational Requirements
While most states do not have educational requirements, a high school diploma or equivalent is an excellent place to start.
As stated previously, due to the nature of the business and having a knowledge of law and its boundaries, many professionals opt to get a degree in criminal justice, law, or a related field.
Some bounty hunters have military, law enforcement, or correctional experience.
Some bounty hunter professionals operate as small business owners and choose to study business administration, computer technology, or marketing in addition to other degree options.
4. Complete the Required Specialized Education and Training
Bounty hunting requires specialized training in a variety of fields, including communication skills to de-escalate the situations.
Since this career can be dangerous, firearms and self-defense training can offer advantages.
5. Continue Your Education per Your State Requirements
Once a person becomes a bounty hunter, they will need to keep up with the laws as they change. States that require licenses require bounty hunters to take continuing education to keep their licenses.
There may also be renewal fees included in the renewal application.
Criminal Justice Degree Programs
Here are a few online schools that offer criminal justice degrees to aid you in your pursuit of becoming a bounty hunter.
The schools listed below are focused on bachelor's degrees, but some offer associate and master's degrees.
Arizona State University
Arizona State University offers both a bachelor's degree in criminology and criminal justice and a degree in criminology and criminal justice in policing.
The criminology and criminal justice in policing would be advantageous for a bounty hunter. It teaches students the accountability, management, and strategies needed for law enforcement careers on a federal, local, or state level.
This program is 120 total credit hours, with courses taking seven and a half weeks to complete.
Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University offers several Bachelor of Science degrees online.
The Bachelor of Science in corrections offers a potential bounty hunter with valuable information.
The program offers courses such as cultural awareness in criminal justice and offender rehabilitation. This gives bounty hunters an insight into the criminal justice system while prisoners are in the system.
The BS in criminal justice- police administration & operations is also viable, as it teaches leadership and management, effective patrol & community policing.
University of Phoenix
The University of Phoenix also has several criminal justice programs, including the Bachelor of Science in correctional program support services program.
It takes 120 total credit hours to complete, offering courses like State & Local Political Processes, American National Government, and Foundations of Psychology. It offers flexible schedules for students.
It also offers students the opportunity to transfer credits if an individual has taken the Peace Officer Standards and Training or Basic Corrections Academy.
Become a Bounty Hunter Today
To become a bounty hunter, individuals should investigate the rules and regulations in their state, build relationships with bail bond agents, meet educational requirements, complete specialized education and training, and continue education per state requirements.