Only individuals who are residents of South Carolina can be licensed as a Professional Bondsman, Runner, or Surety Bondsman. All applicants for licensure must complete 20 hours of bail bonding pre-licensing education and successfully complete the licensing examination to obtain a certificate.
The Department has contracted with Prometric to conduct its examination program. Contact Prometric directly to register and pay for your exam and to schedule an appointment to take it. You can also visit their website at www.prometric.com/southcarolina. There is no limit to the number of times an applicant may take a Bail Bondsman examination. However, all other examinations may only be taken six times in a one-year period.
A background investigation will be conducted by the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) records will be checked. No person will be licensed if they have been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, to a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude within the last ten years.
If the Department approves the application, the licensee must file the original license issued by the Department with the Clerk of Court in the county where the principle place of business is located. The Clerk can provide certified copies to be filed with the other counties in which a bondsman conducts bail bond business.
If the application is denied, a letter will be issued by the Department notifying the applicant in writing of the reason for such denial.
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- Professional Bondsman/Runner/Surety Bondsman License Application [pdf 135k]
Any trade name used must be shown on the application. The Department must be advised immediately of any change in trade name, business or residence address.
- License Fee of $400.
The license fee is non-refundable. Checks should be made payable to the South Carolina Department of Insurance.
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Attach a passport-sized photograph to the application.
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Proof of completion of 20-hour bail bonding pre-licensing education.
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Original Exam Score Report from Prometric.
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Two (2) fingerprint cards.
The fingerprint cards should be coded for the South Carolina Insurance Department and must be certified by an authorized law enforcement officer. The top portion of the cards must be entirely completed.
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Proof of Net Worth (current bank statement or Certificate of Deposit)
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- Professional Bondsman/Runner/Surety Bondsman License Application, Form BB1100 [pdf 135k]
Any trade name used must be shown on the application. The Department must be advised immediately of any change in trade name, business or residence address.
- License Fee of $200.
The license fee is non-refundable. Checks should be made payable to the South Carolina Department of Insurance.
-
Attach a passport-sized photograph to the application.
-
Proof of completion of 20-hour bail bonding pre-licensing education.
-
Original Exam Score Report from Prometric.
-
Two (2) fingerprint cards.
The fingerprint cards should be coded for the South Carolina Insurance Department and must be certified by an authorized law enforcement officer. The top portion of the cards must be entirely completed.
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A runner may be authorized to execute bail bonds by a professional bondsman. If a runner is to have this authority, a Power of Attorney for Bail Bond Runner, Form BB1104, must be submitted.
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Professional Bondsman/Runner/Surety Bondsman License Application, Form BB1100 [pdf 135k]
Any trade name used must be shown on the application. The Department must be advised immediately of any change in trade name, business or residence address.
License Fee of $20.
The license fee is non-refundable. Checks should be made payable to the South Carolina Department of Insurance.
Attach a passport-sized photograph to the application.
Proof of completion of 20-hour bail bonding pre-licensing education.
Proof of completion of 40-hour Property and Casualty pre-licensing education.
Original Exam Score Report from Prometric.
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Runners
Appointment of Runner, Form BB1102
Termination of Runner Appointment, Form BB1103
Surety Bondsman
Appointment of Surety Bondsman, Form BB1107
Termination of Surety Bondsman Appointment, Form BB1108
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- Power of Attorney for Bail Bond Runner, Form BB1104
A runner may be authorized to execute bail bonds by a professional bondsman. If a runner is to have this authority, the Power of Attorney for Bail Bond Runner form must be submitted to the Department.
- Revocation of Runner Power of Attorney, Form BB1105.
A professional bondsman can withdraw the power of attorney of a runner to post bonds. If a professional bondsman chooses to withdraw the power of attorney, the Revocation of Runner Power of Attorney form must be submitted to the Department.
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A surety desiring to be relieved on a bond for "good cause" or the nonpayment of fees must file with the court a motion to be relieved on the bond. A copy of the motion must be served upon the defendant, his attorney and the solicitor’s office. The court shall then schedule a hearing to determine if the surety should be relieved on the bond and advise all parties of the hearing date.
If the circumstances warrant immediate incarceration of the defendant to prevent imminent violation of any one of the specific terms of the bail bond or if the defendant has violated any one of the specific terms of the bond, the surety may take the defendant to the appropriate detention facility for holding until the court orders that the surety be relieved. The surety must immediately file with the detention facility and the court an affidavit stating the facts to support the surrender of the defendant for good cause or the nonpayment of fees. When the affidavit is filed with the court, the surety must also file a motion to be relieved on the bond as stated above.
A surety who surrenders a defendant and files an affidavit which does not show good cause or the nonpayment of fees is subject to penalties imposed for perjury.
After the surety has been relieved by order of the court, a new undertaking must be filed with the appropriate court in order to secure the re release of the defendant. The undertaking must contain the same conditions included in the original bond unless the conditions have been changed by the court.
Order to be Relieved [pdf 88k]
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Phone: 803-737-6134
Email: wseawright@doi.sc.gov
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