1. Request Bail License Application from the California Dept. of Insurance (CDI) at 916 / 322-3555 (select option 1, then option 3) or the CDI website at www.insurance.ca.gov.
2. Negotiate an appointment (contract) with a surety company for bail agent license (Click here to view a list of Sureties); or from a bail agent, for bail solicitor license. No appointment is necessary for bail permittee. (An appointment is not required to take the class.).
3. Register and complete a CDI-approved Pre-Licensing Bail Education course - Click here to view schedule and registration form.
4. Send completed Bail License Application and one original Certificate of Completion from the class to the CDI (application fee is $241 for agents and solicitors, $481 for permittees).
5. After the CDI has reviewed and approved your application, the CDI will schedule your bail license examination (usually within 6 weeks).
6. Take your bail license examination (fee is $48). The test consists of 50 questions, applicants are given 2 hours to complete it, and a passing score is 70% (one must correctly answer at least 35 of the questions to get a passing score). For the most part, test questions are based on California Insurance Code Sections 35, 1733, 1800-1822; California Code of Regulations, Title 10, Sections 2053-2104; and, California Penal Code Sections 1268-1319.6; and other sections referred to in these sections.
7. If you pass the test, you will be fingerprinted on site (fee is $65.95, payable to IIS. Check or Visa/MasterCard accepted; cash is not accepted) and you will receive your license (usually within 6 weeks).
8. If you fail the test, the CDI will schedule a re-examination (fee is $48).
9. You do not have to take a Continuing Bail Education course during the licensing period (July 1 - June 30) in which you obtained your initial bail license. Every year thereafter, however, you must complete 6 hours of continuing bail education (offered by CBAA).
