Licensure & Compliance

TEMPORARY RESIDENT LIMITED SURETY AGENT

TYPE AND CLASSES:

• T2-35 Temporary Resident Limited Surety Agent (Bail Bond Agent)

Florida Statutes 648.25 (8) defines a “TEMPORARY BAIL BOND AGENT” as a person employed by a bail bond agent or agency, insurer or managing general agent, and such licensee has the same authority as a licensed bail bond agent, including presenting defendants in court, apprehending, arresting, and surrendering defendants to the proper authorities, while accompanied by a supervising bail bond agent or an agent from the same agency; and keeping defendants under necessary surveillance. However, a temporary licensee may not execute or sign bonds, handle collateral receipts, or deliver bonds to appropriate authorities. A temporary licensee may not operate an agency or branch agency separate from the location of the supervising bail bond agent, managing general agent or insurer by whom the licensee is employed.

Application Qualifications:

• Complete an online application for License and submit appropriate fees. Apply for license
• Be a natural person at least 18 years of age and hold a high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Be a resident of the state of Florida.
• Be a United States citizen or legal alien who possesses a work authorization from the United States Immigration and Naturalization Services.
• Be fingerprinted at one of the Department's fingerprint sites: Locations and additional information
• Requirements for applicants with prior criminal history (Click Here)
• If licensed in another state within three years, provide a Letter of Clearance.
• Successfully completed 120-hours of an approved basic certification course in the criminal justice system, making a grade of not less than 80 percent approved by the Department (Must be completed within the last four years) Click here to find a course; and
• Successfully completed a correspondence course approved by the Department. This course is offered by the University of Florida (352) 392-1711 (Must be completed within the last four years) Click here to find a course; and
• Applicant must be employed at the time of licensure and at all times throughout the temporary license by only one licensed and appointed supervising bail bond agent.
• Applicant and supervising bail bond agent must each file an affidavit under oath, on a form H2-1509 prescribed by the Department, verifying the required employment of the temporary agent before issuance of the license
• Applicant must be a person of high character and approved integrity and has never been convicted of or pleaded guilty or no contest to a felony, a crime involving moral turpitude, or a crime punishable by imprisonment of 1 year or more under the law of any state, territory or country whether or not a judgment or conviction is entered.
• Applicant must file with the Department, notarized statements by at least (3) reputable citizens who are residents of the same counties in which the applicant proposes to engage as a temporary licensee
• Applicant must file a recent credential-sized, full face photograph of himself or herself.

Special Notes

• Applicant may apply for the permanent license after holding the temporary license for 12 months. The temporary license is good for 18 months.
• The Department shall not issue another temporary license to any individual who has held such a temporary in this state within two (2) years after expiration of such temporary license.
• Applicant must be appointed by the same insurers as the supervising bail bond agent. The supervising bail bond agent shall certify monthly to the department under oath, on a form H2-1544 prescribed by the department, the names and hours worked each week of all temporary bail bond agents.
• A temporary bail bond agent must be employed full-time and shall be physically accompanied by the supervising bail bond agent or bail bond agent from the same agency as required by Sections 648.25(9) and 648.355(8), F.S. The term “full-time” means that the temporary bail bond agent must work at least 1,540 hours during 12 months of employment as a temporary bail bond agent.

Applicant cannot be any of the following:

• Jailer or persons employed in any jail.
• Police officers or employees of any police department or law enforcement agency.
• Committing magistrates, employees of a court, or employees of the Clerk of Court.
• Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs or employees of any sheriffs department.
• Attorneys
• Person having the power to arrest or person who have authority over or control of federal, state, county, or municipal prisoners.

Notes

Managing General Agents who work in the bail bond industry must be licensed as a bail bond agent or in the case of entities, one of the owners, directors or officers at each location must be licensed as a bail bond agent.