Bail Bond Apprentice Program Information

Under Louisiana law (La. R.S. 22:1574) a person seeking to become a resident individual insurance producer for the line of bail bond is required to first participate in the Bail Bond Apprentice Program.

Overview

The Bail Bond Apprentice Program is comprised of three consecutive months of employment with a Louisiana licensed bail bond producer (supervising producer) during which the apprentice is required to work no less than 24 hours per week. During that time the apprentice is to observe the supervising producer perform every phase of the bail bond business and to perform all of those phases except for the solicitation, negotiation, quotation of fees and execution of the bail bonds.

The apprentice must be employed and paid by the supervising bail bond producer and the supervising producer is required to maintain records including time sheets and payroll information about that employment. This information is subject to examination and review by the Department of Insurance.

The apprentice may not be paid commissions on insurance business written by the supervising producer and may not engage in any activity for which an insurance producer license is required. A person who has is a sexual offender or serial sexual offender as defined in R.S. 15:536 is prohibited from participating in the Bail Bond Apprentice Program.

The bail bond producer license has specific application requirements. To avoid delays in the licensing process, please read and follow these instructions carefully, ensure steps are followed in the correct order and review all forms prior to submission to verify they are complete.

Step One: Register

Individuals are required to register with the Department of Insurance at least 10 days prior to beginning a bail bond apprenticeship program. Registrations that list a start date that is less than 10 days from the date filed will be rejected. The prospective apprentice must complete and submit to the department the Bail Bond Apprentice Program Registration Form. Should an apprentice fail to complete the program, the supervising producer must notify the department within 15 days. Effective with apprenticeships that begin on or after August 1, 2018, any apprenticeship which is not completed within six months of the registration date will automatically be terminated.

Step 2: Complete Instructional Course

Before the end of the Apprentice Program the apprentice must complete eight hours of instruction in applicable underwriting principles, state laws and regulations, and ethical practices.  The instructional course must be offered by an insurance trade association, an insurer admitted in Louisiana or an accredited public or private college or university.

Step 3: Complete Affidavit

At the conclusion of the apprenticeship, the apprentice and the supervising producer must complete the Three Month Bail Bond Apprentice Affidavit and submit it directly to the Department of Insurance.

Step 4: File a License Application

After the Affidavit have been filed with the department, the apprentice must file an application for a producer license for bail bond authority. The license application is filed online at www.nipr.com.

Step 5: Pass the License Exam and Be Fingerprinted

Once the license application is filed, the apprentice will be authorized to sit for the examination. Authorization will only be issued if a license application and the affidavit is on file with the department. Once authorized, the apprentice can register for and schedule the examination with the test vendor. Click here for more information on how to submit fingerprints.