{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/9.1-186.4.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/9.1-186.4.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/9.1-186.4.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/9.1-186.4.html"}],"law_id":378660,"edition_id":2,"section_id":378660,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.4","catch_line":"Limitations on licensure","history":"2004, c. 397; 2007, c. 133; 2014, c. 84.","full_text":"A\n\nIn order to be licensed as a bail enforcement agent a person shall (i) be 21 years of age or older, (ii) have received a high school diploma or passed a high school equivalency examination approved by the Board of Education, and (iii) have satisfactorily completed a basic certification course in training for bail enforcement agents offered by the Department. Partial exemptions to the training requirements may be approved by the Department if the individual has received prior training.\n\nB\n\nThe following persons are not eligible for licensure as a bail enforcement agent and may not be employed nor serve as agents for a bail enforcement agent:\n\n1\n\nPersons who have been convicted of a felony within the Commonwealth, any other state, or the United States, who have not been pardoned, or whose civil rights have not been restored.\n\n2\n\nPersons who have been convicted of any misdemeanor within the Commonwealth, any other state, or the United States within the preceding five years. This prohibition may be waived by the Department, for good cause shown, so long as the conviction was not for one of the following or a substantially similar misdemeanor: carrying a concealed weapon, assault and battery, sexual battery, a drug offense, driving under the influence, discharging a firearm, a sex offense, or larceny.\n\n3\n\nPersons who have been convicted of any misdemeanor within the Commonwealth, any other state, or the United States, that is substantially similar to the following: brandishing a firearm or stalking. The Department may not waive the prohibitions under this subdivision 3.\n\n4\n\nPersons currently the subject of a protective order within the Commonwealth or another state.\n\n5\n\nEmployees of a local or regional jail.\n\n6\n\nEmployees of a sheriff’s office, or a state or local police department.\n\n7\n\nCommonwealth’s Attorneys, and any employees of their offices.\n\n8\n\nEmployees of the Department of Corrections, Department of Criminal Justice Services, or a local pretrial or community-based probation services agency.\n\nC\n\nThe exclusions in subsection B shall not be construed to prohibit law enforcement from accompanying a bail enforcement agent when he engages in bail recovery.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1414054,"text":"In order to be licensed as a bail enforcement agent a person shall (i) be 21 years of age or older, (ii) have received a high school diploma or passed a high school equivalency examination approved by the Board of Education, and (iii) have satisfactorily completed a basic certification course in training for bail enforcement agents offered by the Department. Partial exemptions to the training requirements may be approved by the Department if the individual has received prior training.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":1414055,"text":"The following persons are not eligible for licensure as a bail enforcement agent and may not be employed nor serve as agents for a bail enforcement agent:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":1414056,"text":"Persons who have been convicted of a felony within the Commonwealth, any other state, or the United States, who have not been pardoned, or whose civil rights have not been restored.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":1414057,"text":"Persons who have been convicted of any misdemeanor within the Commonwealth, any other state, or the United States within the preceding five years. This prohibition may be waived by the Department, for good cause shown, so long as the conviction was not for one of the following or a substantially similar misdemeanor: carrying a concealed weapon, assault and battery, sexual battery, a drug offense, driving under the influence, discharging a firearm, a sex offense, or larceny.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":1414058,"text":"Persons who have been convicted of any misdemeanor within the Commonwealth, any other state, or the United States, that is substantially similar to the following: brandishing a firearm or stalking. The Department may not waive the prohibitions under this subdivision 3.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"5":{"id":1414059,"text":"Persons currently the subject of a protective order within the Commonwealth or another state.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"B5"},"6":{"id":1414060,"text":"Employees of a local or regional jail.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"B5","prefix_anchor":"B5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B4","next_prefix":"B6"},"7":{"id":1414061,"text":"Employees of a sheriff’s office, or a state or local police department.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"B6","prefix_anchor":"B6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B5","next_prefix":"B7"},"8":{"id":1414062,"text":"Commonwealth’s Attorneys, and any employees of their offices.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"B7","prefix_anchor":"B7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B6","next_prefix":"B8"},"9":{"id":1414063,"text":"Employees of the Department of Corrections, Department of Criminal Justice Services, or a local pretrial or community-based probation services agency.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"B8","prefix_anchor":"B8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B7","next_prefix":"C"},"10":{"id":1414064,"text":"The exclusions in subsection B shall not be construed to prohibit law enforcement from accompanying a bail enforcement agent when he engages in bail recovery.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B8"}},"ancestry":[{"id":53807,"edition_id":2,"name":"Bail Enforcement Agents","identifier":"12","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":12,"parent_id":53786,"metadata":{"child_laws":15,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:22:34","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:28:42","permalink":{"id":1511715,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":53807,"identifier":"12","token":"9.1\/1\/12","url":"\/9.1\/1\/12\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":53786,"edition_id":2,"name":"Department of Criminal Justice Services","identifier":"1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":53785,"metadata":{"child_laws":143,"child_structures":17},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:22:17","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:28:40","permalink":{"id":1511491,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":53786,"identifier":"1","token":"9.1\/1","url":"\/9.1\/1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":53785,"edition_id":2,"name":"Commonwealth Public Safety","identifier":"9.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":36,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":258,"child_structures":36},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:22:17","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:28:39","permalink":{"id":1511489,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":53785,"identifier":"9.1","token":"9.1","url":"\/9.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":378666,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/9.1-186\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186","metadata":false},{"id":378652,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.1","catch_line":"Inapplicability of article","url":"\/9.1-186.1\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.1","metadata":false},{"id":378653,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.10","catch_line":"Uniforms and identification; standards and restrictions","url":"\/9.1-186.10\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.10","metadata":false},{"id":378654,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.11","catch_line":"Reporting standards and requirements","url":"\/9.1-186.11\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.11","metadata":false},{"id":378655,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.12","catch_line":"Recovery of bailees; methods of capture; standards and requirements; limitations","url":"\/9.1-186.12\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.12","metadata":false},{"id":378656,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.13","catch_line":"Penalties, criminal and monetary","url":"\/9.1-186.13\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.13","metadata":false},{"id":378657,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.14","catch_line":"Expired","url":"\/9.1-186.14\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.14","metadata":false},{"id":378658,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.2","catch_line":"Powers of Department and Board relating to bail enforcement agents","url":"\/9.1-186.2\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.2","metadata":false},{"id":378659,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.3","catch_line":"Powers of Department relating to bail enforcement agents","url":"\/9.1-186.3\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.3","metadata":false},{"id":378660,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.4","catch_line":"Limitations on licensure","url":"\/9.1-186.4\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.4","metadata":false},{"id":378661,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.5","catch_line":"Bail enforcement agent license; criminal history records check","url":"\/9.1-186.5\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.5","metadata":false},{"id":378662,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.6","catch_line":"Licenses; renewal","url":"\/9.1-186.6\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.6","metadata":false},{"id":378663,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.7","catch_line":"Licensure of nonresidents","url":"\/9.1-186.7\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.7","metadata":false},{"id":378664,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.8","catch_line":"Professional conduct standards; grounds for disciplinary actions","url":"\/9.1-186.8\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.8","metadata":false},{"id":378665,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.9","catch_line":"Firearms, training and usage; standards and requirements","url":"\/9.1-186.9\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.9","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":378659,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.3","catch_line":"Powers of Department relating to bail enforcement agents","url":"\/9.1-186.3\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.3","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":378661,"structure_id":53807,"section_number":"9.1-186.5","catch_line":"Bail enforcement agent license; criminal history records check","url":"\/9.1-186.5\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.5","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/9.1-186.4\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2004. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 397<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2007, chapter 133<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 84<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":378661,"section_number":"9.1-186.5","catch_line":"Bail enforcement agent license; criminal history records check","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-186.5\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1511753,"object_type":"law","relational_id":378660,"identifier":"9.1-186.4","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.4","url":"\/9.1-186.4\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/9.1-186.4\/","token":"9.1\/1\/12\/9.1-186.4","dublin_core":{"Title":"Limitations on licensure","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 9.1-186.4","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> In order<\/span> to be licensed as a bail<\/span> enforcement agent a person shall (i) be 21 years of age or older, (ii) have received a high school diploma or passed a high school equivalency examination approved by the Board<\/span> of Education, and (iii) have satisfactorily completed a basic certification course in training for bail<\/span> enforcement agents offered by the Department<\/span>. Partial exemptions to the training requirements may be approved by the Department<\/span> if the individual has received prior training. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The following persons are not eligible for licensure as a bail<\/span> enforcement agent and may not be employed nor serve as agents for a bail<\/span> enforcement agent: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Persons who have been convicted of a felony<\/span> within the Commonwealth, any other state, or the United States, who have not been pardoned, or whose civil rights have not been restored. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Persons who have been convicted of any misdemeanor<\/span> within the Commonwealth, any other state, or the United States within the preceding five years. This prohibition may be waived by the Department<\/span>, for good cause shown, so long as the conviction<\/span> was not for one of the following or a substantially similar misdemeanor<\/span>: carrying a concealed weapon, assault<\/span> and battery<\/span>, sexual battery<\/span>, a drug offense<\/span>, driving under the influence, discharging a firearm, a sex offense<\/span>, or larceny<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Persons who have been convicted of any misdemeanor<\/span> within the Commonwealth, any other state, or the United States, that is substantially similar to the following: brandishing a firearm or stalking. The Department<\/span> may not waive<\/span> the prohibitions under this subdivision 3. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Persons currently the subject of a protective order<\/span> within the Commonwealth or another state. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Employees of a local or regional jail. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Employees of a sheriff’s office, or a state or local police<\/span> department<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Commonwealth’s Attorneys, and any employees of their offices. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> Employees of the Department<\/span> of Corrections, Department<\/span> of Criminal Justice Services, or a local pretrial or community-based probation<\/span> services agency. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The exclusions in subsection B shall not be construed to prohibit law<\/span> enforcement from accompanying a bail enforcement agent when he engages in bail recovery<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nLIMITATIONS ON LICENSURE (\u00a7 9.1-186.4)\n\nA. In order to be licensed as a bail enforcement agent a person shall (i) be 21\nyears of age or older, (ii) have received a high school diploma or passed a high\nschool equivalency examination approved by the Board of Education, and (iii)\nhave satisfactorily completed a basic certification course in training for bail\nenforcement agents offered by the Department. Partial exemptions to the training\nrequirements may be approved by the Department if the individual has received\nprior training.\n\nB. The following persons are not eligible for licensure as a bail enforcement\nagent and may not be employed nor serve as agents for a bail enforcement agent:\n\n 1. Persons who have been convicted of a felony within the Commonwealth, any\n other state, or the United States, who have not been pardoned, or whose civil\n rights have not been restored.\n\n 2. Persons who have been convicted of any misdemeanor within the Commonwealth,\n any other state, or the United States within the preceding five years. This\n prohibition may be waived by the Department, for good cause shown, so long as\n the conviction was not for one of the following or a substantially similar\n misdemeanor: carrying a concealed weapon, assault and battery, sexual battery,\n a drug offense, driving under the influence, discharging a firearm, a sex\n offense, or larceny.\n\n 3. Persons who have been convicted of any misdemeanor within the Commonwealth,\n any other state, or the United States, that is substantially similar to the\n following: brandishing a firearm or stalking. The Department may not waive the\n prohibitions under this subdivision 3.\n\n 4. Persons currently the subject of a protective order within the Commonwealth\n or another state.\n\n 5. Employees of a local or regional jail.\n\n 6. Employees of a sheriff’s office, or a state or local police\n department.\n\n 7. Commonwealth’s Attorneys, and any employees of their offices.\n\n 8. Employees of the Department of Corrections, Department of Criminal Justice\n Services, or a local pretrial or community-based probation services agency.\n\nC. The exclusions in subsection B shall not be construed to prohibit law\nenforcement from accompanying a bail enforcement agent when he engages in bail\nrecovery.\n\nHISTORY: 2004, c. 397; 2007, c. 133; 2014, c. 84.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}