FAQs • Department of Insurance, SC • CivicEngage

Can I become a bondsman without obtaining a license from the Department of Insurance?: Yes, you can become surety on a bond and act as an accommodation bondsman without being licensed by the Department of Insurance. However, you must be 18 years of age, a resident of this state, and provide satisfactory evidence of ownership, value, and marketability of real property by pledging your collateral with the clerk of court. You cannot receive or promise money or other things of value for this pledge. (South Carolina Code Section 38-53-10(1))

▼
Bail Bondsman - License Information

There are three types of bail bondsmen licensed in South Carolina:

Learn more about the different types by viewing the types of bail bondsmen page.

2. What are the requirements to become licensed as a bail bondsman in South Carolina?: An applicant must be 18 years old or older, a resident of South Carolina, and a person of good moral character who has not been convicted of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude within the last 10 years, has knowledge, training, or experience of sufficient duration and extent to satisfy reasonably the director of insurance that he or she possesses the competence necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of a licensee. (South Carolina Code Section 38-53-90)

3. Can I become a bondsman without obtaining a license from the Department of Insurance?: Yes, you can become surety on a bond and act as an accommodation bondsman without being licensed by the Department of Insurance. However, you must be 18 years of age, a resident of this state, and provide satisfactory evidence of ownership, value, and marketability of real property by pledging your collateral with the clerk of court. You cannot receive or promise money or other things of value for this pledge. (South Carolina Code Section 38-53-10(1))

4. What is the fee for a bondsman license?: The fee for a professional bondsman license is $400, a surety bondsman license is $40, and a runner bondsman license is $200. (South Carolina Code Section 38-53-100(A)(B))

5. Can a person be licensed as both a professional bondsman and a surety bondsman?: Yes.

6. When does a bondsman / runner license expire?: All licenses expire on June 30 of each year. (South Carolina Code Section 38-53-140)

7. What is the total number of educational hours required for a professional bondsman, surety bondsman, and runner to retain their license?: Six hours of continuing education are needed every year for a professional bondsman, surety bondsman, and a runner to retain their licenses. (South Carolina Section Code 38-53-85)