Becoming a Fugitive Recovery Agent: Requirements, Training, and License

<h2 id="section---CareerOverview">Career Overview</h2> <p>Fugitive recovery agents, also known as bail recovery agents and bounty hunters, track down and apprehend people who have failed to appear for a court date after posting bail. </p> <p>The chart below shows the education requirements, job duties, and median salary of fugitive recovery agents. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Degree Required</b> </td><td> High school diploma or GED (all private detectives and investigators)</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>License Required</b> </td><td> Needed in some states</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Amount of On-the-Job Training</b> </td><td> Moderate (all private detectives and investigators)</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Job Outlook (2020-2030)</b> </td><td> 13% (all private detectives and investigators)*</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Median Salary (2021)</b> </td><td>$50,565 (bounty hunters)**</td></tr> </table><p><i>Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) **Payscale.com</i> </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreTheRequirementsToBecomeAFugitiveRecoveryAgent">What Are the Requirements to Become a Fugitive Recovery Agent?</h3> <p>Requirements to become a fugitive recovery agent vary from state to state. Twenty-two states require licensing while others may regulate fugitive recovery agents but do not require licensing. You will need to look up the regulations in states where you intend to operate. There is no college degree required but some states mandate that fugitive recovery agents complete a certification course. </p> <h3 id="section---AreFugitiveRecoveryAgentsLawEnforcement">Are Fugitive Recovery Agents Law Enforcement?</h3> <p>No. Fugitive recovery agents are not considered to be law enforcement officers. While fugitive recovery agents aid the courts by taking those who skip bail into custody, they are not government employees nor are they empowered to enforce the law. In some states fugitive recovery agents have fewer restrictions on their actions than do police officers. For example, in some states fugitive recovery agents are permitted to enter private residences without a warrant while police are not. In states that regulate fugitive recovery agents, such agents are not permitted to present themselves as members of law enforcement. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatSortOfTrainingDoesAFugitiveRecoveryAgentNeed"> What Sort of Training Does a Fugitive Recovery Agent Need?</h3> <p>Fugitive recovery can be a dangerous job. While some states do allow individuals to start working as fugitive recovery agents with no prior training or experience this is inadvisable. Those who wish to begin working as fugitive recovery agents can gain experience through a certification course or through an apprenticeship. Apprentices can meet mentors through the National Association of Fugitive Recovery Agents website. </p> <h3 id="section---HowAreFugitiveRecoveryAgentsPaid">How Are Fugitive Recovery Agents Paid?</h3> <p>Upon the successful arrest of a fugitive, the fugitive recovery agent is paid a percentage of the bail money. This means the income of a fugitive recovery agent can vary widely based on the number of individuals who skip their court dates and the number of individuals he or she successfully apprehends. Additionally, an agent's income varies based on the value of the bail, so the capture of individuals with higher bail will earn an agent more money than will the capture of an individual with lower bail. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreSomeRelatedAlternativeCareers">What Are Some Related Alternative Careers?</h3> <p>Those who are interested in careers as fugitive recovery agents may also be interested in careers as police officers or game wardens. Police officers are responsible for enforcing laws, conducting investigations, and maintaining order. Game wardens enforce laws regarding fish and game as well as investigate instances of property damage caused by wildlife. Additionally, a career as a correctional officer is another option. Correctional officers guard inmates within prisons and jails and while they are being moved. Correctional officers are responsible for ensuring prisoners do not escape and become fugitives.</p>