A person was convicted of a felony in another state. When may that person be licensed as a bail bondsman?Va. Code 9.1-185.4(B)(1)
A property bail bondsman license terminates because collateral was not maintained. How long is there to apply for reinstatement?6VAC20-250-110(C)
A property bail bondsman submits an appraisal in place of a tax assessment. How recent must the appraisal be?Va. Code 9.1-185.5(C)(1)(a)
A surety bail bondsman is licensed before getting a qualifying power of attorney. How soon after receiving one must it be filed with the Department?Va. Code 9.1-185.5(D)(2)
A surety bail bondsman's property and casualty insurance agent license is terminated. What happens to the bail bondsman license?Va. Code 9.1-185.5(D)(4)
An applicant improperly uses notes during the bail bondsman exam. What is the consequence?Va. Code 9.1-185.5(B)(2)
Besides passing the written examination, what must a student do to complete the entry-level training session?6VAC20-250-210(B)(9)
Entry-level training is credited only if the license application reaches the Department within what time?6VAC20-250-130(C)
For how long is a firearm endorsement issued to a bail bondsman?6VAC20-250-90(C)
For how long is a Virginia bail bondsman license issued?Va. Code 9.1-185.6(B)
Show all 141 questions (131 more)
Licensing and training, continued
How many hours is the compulsory entry-level core training for a bail bondsman, not counting the exam and practical exercises?6VAC20-250-130(D)
How many hours of in-service training must a licensed bail bondsman complete before renewal?6VAC20-250-140
How much collateral must a property bail bondsman applicant prove on his own bonds?Va. Code 9.1-185.5(C)
In the bail bondsman article, what is an "agent"?Va. Code 9.1-185
To whom does the bail bondsman article NOT apply?Va. Code 9.1-185.1
Under the regulation, how long before the current license expires must a renewal application be submitted?6VAC20-250-100(A)
What does the regulation say about the address where a bail bondsman keeps the required records?6VAC20-250-40(A)(6)
What is the application processing fee for a bail bondsman license, initial or renewal?6VAC20-250-20(A)
What is the licensure category fee for a property bail bondsman?6VAC20-250-20(A)
What is the minimum age to be licensed as a bail bondsman in Virginia?Va. Code 9.1-185.4(A)
What is the minimum passing grade on the Virginia bail bondsman exam?6VAC20-250-30(B)(5)
What is the offense of engaging in bail bonding for profit without a valid license?Va. Code 9.1-185.18
What other license must a surety bail bondsman hold?Va. Code 9.1-185
Where does a Virginia bail bondsman license authorize its holder to enter into bonds?Va. Code 9.1-185.6(A)
Where is the bail bondsman exam taken?6VAC20-250-40(A)(1)
Where must real estate used as collateral by a property bail bondsman be located?Va. Code 9.1-185.5(C)(1)
Which agency licenses bail bondsmen in Virginia?Va. Code 9.1-185
Which of these does the law require of every bail bondsman applicant?Va. Code 9.1-185.4(A)
Which of these persons is NOT eligible to be licensed as a bail bondsman?Va. Code 9.1-185.4(B)
Which part of the entry-level course is given the most hours?6VAC20-250-130(E)
Standards of practice and prohibited acts 25
A bail bondsman knows the bailee is being held in more than one jurisdiction. What must the bondsman do?6VAC20-250-250(K)
A bail bondsman took part in arresting a person. May the bondsman then provide bail for that person?Va. Code 9.1-185.8(B)(11)
A bondsman holds a car as collateral and drives it for personal errands before any forfeiture. What is that?Va. Code 9.1-185.10(C)
A licensed bail bondsman is also an attorney. For whom may he NOT provide bail?Va. Code 9.1-185.8(B)(10)
A licensed bail bondsman is arrested for a felony. What may he not do while the Department investigates?Va. Code 9.1-185.8(J)
A relative cannot afford the premium. May the bail bondsman lend the money at interest?Va. Code 9.1-185.8(I)
An employee of a bail bondsman breaks one of the conduct standards. Who may be disciplined?Va. Code 9.1-185.8(A)
How large may the name and company emblem on the front of a bail bondsman’s shirt be on government property?6VAC20-250-290(B)(2)
May a bail bondsman leave business cards on a table in the jail lobby?6VAC20-250-260(B)(2)
The obligation is discharged, all fees are paid and the depositor asks for the collateral. How soon must it be returned?Va. Code 9.1-185.10(D)
On which qualifying powers of attorney may a surety bail bondsman write bonds?Va. Code 9.1-185.8(G)
Under the Virginia standard for collateral, when must collateral taken from a principal be returned?Va. Code 9.1-185.10(A)
What does the law say about referring a principal to an attorney?Va. Code 9.1-185.9(B)(3)
What does the regulation require of an administrative fee charged by a bail bondsman?6VAC20-250-250(E)
What is the limit on a de minimis gift from a bail bondsman to a jail employee?Va. Code 9.1-185.8(B)(5)
What is the lowest premium a licensed bail bondsman may charge on a $5,000 bond?Va. Code 9.1-185.8(I)
What is the most a property bail bondsman may have outstanding on all bonds together?Va. Code 9.1-185.8(E)
What must a bail bondsman visibly display while on legitimate bail bonding business on government property?6VAC20-250-290(B)(1)
What must each recognizance a bail bondsman signs contain, under the regulation?6VAC20-250-250(C)
What must the written receipt for collateral contain?Va. Code 9.1-185.10(B)
What premium may a licensed bail bondsman charge in Virginia?Va. Code 9.1-185.8(I)
When may a bail bondsman wait around a magistrate's office?Va. Code 9.1-185.9(B)(2)
Which may a bail bondsman NOT wear or display?Va. Code 9.1-185.12(A)
Which way of seeking business is forbidden to a licensed bail bondsman?Va. Code 9.1-185.9(B)(1)
Who is authorized to solicit bail bond business in Virginia?Va. Code 9.1-185.9(A)
Bail, bonds and recognizances 17
A court remands the principal to jail for violating a condition of the recognizance. What happens to the surety?Va. Code 19.2-135
A person charged with a felony willfully fails to appear in court as required. What is that offense?Va. Code 19.2-128(B)
A person charged with a misdemeanor willfully fails to appear in court as required. What is that offense?Va. Code 19.2-128(C)
A person held pending trial shall be admitted to bail unless there is probable cause to believe which of these?Va. Code 19.2-120(B)
The accused appeared and met the conditions of bail. May the bond be used to pay his fines and costs?Va. Code 19.2-121(C)
For what purpose may a bail bondsman use the defendant's criminal history record obtained from the magistrate?Va. Code 19.2-120(F)
How does the Code of Virginia define "bail"?Va. Code 19.2-119
How does the Code of Virginia define "bond"?Va. Code 19.2-119
How does the Code of Virginia define a "recognizance"?Va. Code 19.2-119
To whom are bonds in recognizances in criminal cases payable?Va. Code 19.2-136
What fee does a bail bondsman pay when requesting a defendant's Virginia criminal history record from the magistrate?Va. Code 19.2-120(F)
What may a surety take from the principal to protect itself against liability on the bond?Va. Code 19.2-132(A)
When is a proposed surety on a secure bond found solvent?Va. Code 19.2-123(A)(3)
Which is a condition of every recognizance taken of a person charged with a felony?Va. Code 19.2-135
Which of these is a "judicial officer" under the bail chapter?Va. Code 19.2-119
Who delivers a bail piece to the accused and his sureties, and when?Va. Code 19.2-134
Who may move a judicial officer to increase the amount of a bond or to revoke bail?Va. Code 19.2-132(A)
Default, surrender and recovery 29
A bail bondsman is recovering the bailee of another bondsman. What else must he have, and when must it be obtained?Va. Code 9.1-185.15(A)
A bail bondsman surrenders a principal for a reason other than failure to appear. What must be deposited with the clerk or magistrate?Va. Code 19.2-149(B)
A bail enforcement agent, as distinct from a bail bondsman, captures a bailee. How soon must local law enforcement be informed?Va. Code 9.1-186.12(C)
A defendant appears before or is delivered to the court after a bond was ordered forfeited. Within what time must the court remit the bond, less costs?Va. Code 19.2-143
A defendant missed court because he had been drafted into the army of the United States. What does the Code direct in the forfeiture proceeding?Va. Code 19.2-144
A defendant who posted a cash bond fails to appear and is not tried in his absence. The bond is forfeited promptly. When may the judge still remit it?Va. Code 19.2-143
A forfeited recognizance is not paid by 4:00 p.m. on the last day of the 150-day period. What does the Department do?Va. Code 9.1-185.8(K)
A person under recognizance fails to appear. How soon must the court issue a notice of default?Va. Code 19.2-143
A surety applies for a capias for the arrest of the principal. What must the application state?Va. Code 19.2-149(A)
A surety surrenders the principal to a sheriff or jailer. What does the officer give the surety?Va. Code 19.2-150
Absent exigent circumstances, how much notice of the intent to apprehend a bailee must a bail bondsman give local law enforcement or state police?Va. Code 9.1-185.15(C)
After a default, how may a surety be discharged without producing the principal?Va. Code 19.2-148
After capturing a bailee, how soon must the bail bondsman inform local law enforcement?Va. Code 9.1-185.15(C)
After such a surrender, how long does the bondsman have to petition the court to show cause why he is entitled to the deposit?Va. Code 19.2-149(B)
After the 150 days, the court sends a notice to pay to the employer of a property bondsman's agent. How long does the employer have before its licenses are suspended?Va. Code 19.2-143
The bondsman never petitions the court for the return of the deposit. Where does the money go?Va. Code 19.2-149(B)
The court finds that the surrender of the principal was unreasonable. Where does the deposit go?Va. Code 19.2-149(B)
The court learns that the defendant is incarcerated in another state, which prevents delivery. Within what time of the finding of default must that come to light for the bond to be remitted?Va. Code 19.2-143
The defendant is brought before the court after a finding of default, and the party in default files a motion. Within how many days must that be for the court to dismiss the default?Va. Code 19.2-143
Does a licensed bail bondsman need a bail enforcement agent license to recover a bailee?Va. Code 9.1-186.1
What is a "bail enforcement agent"?Va. Code 9.1-186
What is the minimum age to be licensed as a bail enforcement agent?Va. Code 9.1-186.4(A)
What is the purpose of "bail recovery" in the definition?Va. Code 9.1-186
What must a bail bondsman do before entering a residential structure to recover a bailee?Va. Code 9.1-185.15(B)
What must a bail bondsman have with him during the recovery of a bailee?Va. Code 9.1-185.15(A)
What must a bail enforcement agent hold, besides a copy of the recognizance, before capturing a bailee?Va. Code 9.1-186.12(A)
When may a bail bondsman arrest his principal and surrender him?Va. Code 19.2-149(A)
Which of these is evidence of good cause why a recognizance should not be forfeited?Va. Code 19.2-143
Whom may a licensed bail bondsman employ or contract with to recover a bailee?Va. Code 9.1-185.4(C)
Basic law, the courts and extradition 20
A district court certifies a felony charge. Where does jurisdiction over that charge vest?Va. Code 17.1-513
A person is arrested in Virginia on a Governor's warrant of extradition. What must happen before he is handed to the agent of the demanding state?Va. Code 19.2-95
A person may be arrested without a warrant on reasonable information that he stands charged in another state with a crime punishable by what?Va. Code 19.2-100
According to Taylor v. Taintor, does a surety need new process from a court to seize the principal?Taylor v. Taintor, 83 U.S. 366 (1872)
Basic law in the entry-level course covers the Bill of Rights. What is it?U.S. Constitution, Amendments I to X
For how long may a judge commit a fugitive to jail to await the Governor's warrant on a requisition?Va. Code 19.2-101
How does a person arrested in Virginia waive extradition proceedings?Va. Code 19.2-114
How does the Code of Virginia tell a felony from a misdemeanor?Va. Code 18.2-8
In Taylor v. Taintor (1872), how did the U.S. Supreme Court describe the principal once bail is given?Taylor v. Taintor, 83 U.S. 366 (1872)
Taylor v. Taintor names three things that exonerate the bail by making performance impossible. Which is one of them?Taylor v. Taintor, 83 U.S. 366 (1872)
Under the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act, who has a fugitive from another state arrested and delivered up?Va. Code 19.2-86
What does the Fourth Amendment secure the people against?U.S. Constitution, Amendment IV
When may a person arrested as a fugitive from another state NOT be admitted to bail under the extradition act?Va. Code 19.2-102
Which amendment gives the accused the right to a speedy and public trial and to the assistance of counsel?U.S. Constitution, Amendment VI
Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution forbids a State to deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law?U.S. Constitution, Amendment XIV
Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution says that excessive bail shall not be required?U.S. Constitution, Amendment VIII
Which court has exclusive original jurisdiction for the trial of misdemeanors arising in its county or city?Va. Code 16.1-123.1
Which court has original jurisdiction of all indictments for felonies?Va. Code 17.1-513
Which of these is a power of a Virginia magistrate?Va. Code 19.2-45
Which of these rights is in the Fifth Amendment?U.S. Constitution, Amendment V
Records and reports 11
A bail bondsman discharges a firearm in the course of his duties. How soon must he report it to the Department under the regulation?6VAC20-250-230(E)
A bail bondsman moves his business to a new address. How soon must he report it to the Department?Va. Code 9.1-185.14(A)
A licensed bail bondsman is arrested for a felony. How soon must a copy of the warrant of arrest reach the Department?6VAC20-250-230(B)
A new lien is recorded against real estate that a property bail bondsman uses as collateral. How soon must he report it?6VAC20-250-230(I)
A property bail bondsman hires another agent. How soon must the change be reported, with proof of collateral for the new agent?Va. Code 9.1-185.14(E)
A surety bail bondsman changes his agency status with a licensed insurance company. How soon must he report it?Va. Code 9.1-185.14(F)
An agent bail bondsman stops working for a property bail bondsman. How soon must the agent report the termination?6VAC20-250-230(H)
Another state agency takes administrative action against a bail bondsman. How soon after the final disposition must he report it to the Department?Va. Code 9.1-185.14(C)
By what day of each month must a property bail bondsman send the Department a list of all outstanding bonds?Va. Code 9.1-185.14(D)
For how long must a bail bondsman retain the required records?Va. Code 9.1-185.13(A)
Which of these must a bail bondsman keep?Va. Code 9.1-185.13(A)(3)
The Board, the Department and discipline 9
A check for a license fee is not honored by the bank. What may the Department do?6VAC20-250-20(B)
For licensing purposes, how does the regulation treat a plea of nolo contendere to a felony?6VAC20-250-60(A)
How often does the Department give each local and regional correctional facility a list of all licensed bail bondsmen?Va. Code 9.1-185.17
May a bail bondsman license be transferred to another person?6VAC20-250-70(B)
May a complaint against a bail bondsman be filed anonymously?6VAC20-250-300(B)
What is the highest monetary penalty the Board may set for one violation by a licensee who is not criminally prosecuted?Va. Code 9.1-185.18
When may the director summarily suspend a bail bondsman license without a hearing?6VAC20-250-320(D)
Which body has full regulatory authority and oversight of property and surety bail bondsmen?Va. Code 9.1-185.2
Whose advice must the Board seek in adopting its bail bondsman regulations?Va. Code 9.1-185.2
How this list was compiled: Code of Virginia, Title 9.1, Chapter 1, Article 11 (Bail Bondsmen), sections 9.1-185 to 9.1-185.18, and Article 12 (Bail Enforcement Agents), sections 9.1-186 to 9.1-186.13; Title 19.2, Chapter 9 (Bail and Recognizances), sections 19.2-119 to 19.2-152, and Chapter 8 (Uniform Criminal Extradition Act), sections 19.2-85 to 19.2-118; sections 16.1-123.1, 17.1-513, 18.2-8 and 19.2-45; and the Regulations Relating to Bail Bondsmen, 6VAC20-250-10 to 6VAC20-250-380, read on October 15 and 16, 2026 on Virginia's Legislative Information System (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/). The U.S. Constitution's amendments, read in the National Archives transcripts (https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/bill-of-rights-transcript). Taylor v. Taintor, 83 U.S. 366 (1872), read in the Library of Congress copy of the United States Reports. Topics follow the entry-level course content in 6VAC20-250-130 and the Department of Criminal Justice Services' bail bondsman licensing page (https://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/licensure-and-regulatory-affairs/bail-bondsmen). Each question names its section and links to it. Licence: Own work. Every question, wrong choice and explanation was written for this site from the text of the laws, regulations, amendments and opinion named under "source". Nothing comes from the bail bondsman examination, a training school, its course materials or a prep publisher.
How it works
Virginia licenses bail bond agents as bail bondsmen after a 40-hour course and exam. This unofficial Virginia bail bond agent practice test asks 141 questions of our own on Virginia law. Not affiliated with the Department of Criminal Justice Services.
Read the full guide
What the course covers
The regulation's outline gives law 12 hours and fugitive recovery 24, with shorter parts on orientation, remanding to custody and documentation, then a written examination (6VAC20-250-130).
Numbers the law sets
A property bondsman proves $200,000 of collateral and may owe no more than four times his equity. A forfeiture unpaid after 150 days suspends the license (Va. Code 9.1-185.5, 9.1-185.8).
What is left out
Investigative technique, pursuit, use of force, handcuffing and transport are taught in the course from no public text, and are not asked.
Give at least 24 hours of notice before apprehending a bailee, and tell local law enforcement within 30 minutes of a capture (Va. Code 9.1-185.15).
Return collateral within 15 days of a request once all fees are paid (Va. Code 9.1-185.10).
Report a change of address within 10 calendar days and a felony arrest warrant within seven days (Va. Code 9.1-185.14; 6VAC20-250-230).
Questions and answers
Is there a bail bondsman exam in Virginia?
Yes. The Code requires the bail bondsman exam set by the Criminal Justice Services Board (Va. Code 9.1-185.4), and the regulation has it taken at a certified or licensed training school with a minimum passing grade of 70% (6VAC20-250-40).
How many questions are on the Virginia bail bondsman exam?
The regulation gives no question count and no time limit. The 50-question round on this page is our own length, not the school's. Ask the training school that gives your course.
How do I become a bail bondsman in Virginia?
Be 18 with a high school diploma or equivalent, complete the entry-level course, pass the exam, then apply to the Department with fingerprints and the $900 application fee plus a category fee (Va. Code 9.1-185.4; 6VAC20-250-20).
How much can a bail bondsman charge in Virginia?
Not less than 10 percent and not more than 15 percent of the bond. An administrative fee may be added, limited to reasonable costs and disclosed in writing (Va. Code 9.1-185.8; 6VAC20-250-250).
How long is a Virginia bail bondsman license good for?
Two years (Va. Code 9.1-185.6). Renewal needs eight hours of in-service training in the 12 months before expiration, and an application at least 30 days before the license expires (6VAC20-250-100, 6VAC20-250-140).