Academy FAQ
General
Where are your courses taught?
We teach all of our bail industry courses at our classroom facillity in Rockville, CT. Our firearms courses are taught in East Granby. Students are notified of the exact course location during the web registration process, and links to directions are provided on our website.
Why should I choose to attend one of your courses?
Connecticut Bail Academy’s instructors have a working knowledge of the industry, because our courses are taught by licensed professionals with actual experience working in the industry as surety bond agents and Bail Enforcement Agents. Our instructor’s background gives them a unique mix of knowledge, experience, and industry contacts that provides for a dynamic learning experience.
Do you do payment plans for tuition?
No, unfortunately we have to ask for payment in full prior to the start of each course.
What do you accept for payment?
We accept check, money order, mastercard, visa, or Discover Card as payment. You may even register online for your convenience.
What is your mailing address?
You can mail payment to Connecticut Bail Academy PO Box 243, Manchester, CT 06045.
Are these courses eligible for G.I. Bill or student loans?
No, Connecticut Bail Academy LLC is not an accredited college. We do not participate in any Federal or State loan programs.
When is your next course?
Check our schedule page.
Can I use previous criminal justice courses towards any portion of this course?
No, this course is a state mandated course and must be completed in its’ entirety.
Will Connecticut Bail Academy LLC help me to obtain employment after I complete a course and become licensed?
We can and do give guidance to those who are seeking employment, but like any educational institution we can not guarantee employment to anyone.
How do I sign up for a course?
Simply find the specific course and date that you are interested in and click on the “enroll now” button. You will be brought to our secure registration site where you will answer several questions and select a form of payment. If you choose to pay by check, we must recieve payment within 1 week of registration or you may be dropped from the course.
What courses do you teach?
We offer specialized training for security guards, bondsmen, and licensed Bail Enforcement Agents that is based on real world experience. Whether you seek certification in use of firearms, handcuffs, or O.C. Connecticut Bail Academy has a quality training program to meet your individual or agency needs.
Do you offer private or semi-private instruction?
Private 1 on 1 instruction, and semi-private small group instruction can be arranged at our location or an appropriate location provided by you. Flat fees are charged for 1 on 1 courses based on a rate equal to $75 per course hour. Semi-private small group instruction rates are negotiable. Travel, and lodging will be charged when we are required to travel beyond 20 miles from Hartford, CT.
What is the location of Connecticut Bail Academy?
Our mailing address is P.O. Box 243 Manchester, CT 06045 Our classroom location is: 7 Park St. Rockville, CT 06066 We do not have staff at our facillity unless there is a class in session, please call us at (860) 646-2245 prior to coming to see us.
Bail Enforcement Agent Criminal Justice Course
Who regulates bail enforcement agents in the state of Connecticut?
The Connecticut State Police Department of Public Safety regulates Bail Enforcement Agents in Connecticut.
I live outside Connecticut and want to become a Bail Enforcement Agent, should I take your course?
The skills we teach are important regardless of the state you work in, if your state does not require certification then this course may be a good place for you to start learning about the industry. However, our curriculum is approved by the State of Connecticut and will not lead to certification in other states.
Can I use previous criminal justice courses towards any portion of this course?
No, this course is a state mandated course and must be completed in its entirety.
I have been arrested before; can I still be a Bail Enforcement Agent?
State statute prohibits individuals convicted of felonies or certain misdemeanors from becoming licensed bail enforcement agents. If you have been convicted of one of these offenses you would need to seek a pardon from the board of pardons and paroles prior to obtaining a license.
Why do you have a 20 hour course spread over 24 hours?
State law requires that the BEA Criminal Justice course be a minimum of 20 hours, but the business of Bail Enforcement is extremely complicated and requires dedication and a considerable knowledge base. It is not possible for us to provide a course that meets our expectations in only 20 hours. This format also offers the ability for students to obtain certification in O.C. and Handcuffing.
Is there a dress code for the BEA course?
There is no dress code, but we suggest that students wear athletic clothing during the Sunday handcuffing and O.C. portions of the class. Because of the training physical training portions of the class we also ask students to not bring any weapons to class. This is purely a safety concern and includes firearms, edged weapons, and impact weapons of all types.
Is the gold card included in your BEA criminal justice course?
No it is not. It is our opinion that 20 hours of instructional time is barely enough to cover the basic legal elements related to working as a BEA. If you review the schedule for our 20 hour criminal justice course you will see that we actually provide about 24 hours of instruction for the criminal justice course alone. We believe that taking 5-10 of those hours away to spend on the Gold Card training would make the criminal justice course meaningless. We teach the 2 courses separately as the state statute and Department of Public Safety intended. The benefit to you is additional contact time with highly competent and experienced instructors.
Can a person really make a living as a Bail Enforcement Agent?
Yes, there are multiple agents in Connecticut and around the country who work as Bail Enforcement Agent’s full time. There are many more agents who work in the field part time. In the end it comes down to your individual drive, desire, and abillity to close cases.
Bail Bondsman Pre-License Course
Who regulates surety bail agents in the state of Connecticut?
The Connecticut Department of Insurance.
Can I use previous criminal justice courses towards any portion of this course?
No, this course is a state mandated course and must be completed in its’ entirety.
I have been arrested before; can I still be a surety bail agent?
State statute prohibits individuals convicted of felonies or certain misdemeanors from becoming licensed surety bail agents. If you have been convicted of one of these offenses you would need to seek a pardon from the board of pardons and paroles prior to obtaining a license.
Is there a dress code for the bondsman course?
There is no longer a dress code for this course.
What steps are involved in getting a surety bail bond license in Connecticut?
1. Register for approved pre-licensing course. (Our Surety Bondsman Pre-License Course is an Approved Course) 2. Upon successful completion of pre-licensing course, applicant must contact Prometric at (800) 341-3257 to schedule a bail bond exam. 3. After receiving a passing grade on the bail bond exam, applicant must submit the following documents to the Insurance Department: A.Original completed and signed Individual Surety Bail Bond Agent License Application. B.One recent passport-sized full faced photo. C.Copy of Birth Certificate evidencing that applicant is a citizen and at least 18 years of age; or, if applicant is a naturalized citizen, a letter from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office attesting to naturalization and evidence of age. D. A recent credit bureau report from one of the three credit bureaus (Experian, Trans Union or Equifax). E. Two (2) letters of character reference signed by the person providing the reference. The letters are to be sent directly from the authors to the attention of the Insurance Department and must include each author’s address and telephone number. Form letters are not acceptable and will be returned. The Insurance Department will not accept letters mailed or hand delivered by the applicant. Letter must be submitted within 30 days of submitting the application. Original pre-license course completion certificate. F.Original examination score report showing a passing grade. G. Check payable to “Treasurer, State of Connecticut” in the amount of $130 for first time applicant or reinstatement. STATE OF CONNECTICUT INSURANCE DEPARTMENT Fraud, Investigations and Compliance Unit P.O. Box 816 Hartford, CT 06142-0816 Phone: (860) 297-3844 4. After submitting the above documents to the Insurance Department, submit a second passport-sized photo, along with a photocopy of the signed application and photocopy of the check to: DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE Office of the Chief State’s Attorney Asset Forfeiture Bureau/Bond Forfeiture Unit 300 Corporate Place Rocky Hill, CT 06067 5. Your photo I.D. license will be mailed to your home address once your application is approved. 6. You may not post bail bonds until you are licensed by the Department of Insurance AND appointed to countersign powers of attorney by an Insurance Company.
Gold Card: BEA/Bondsman Firearms Qualification
I have a pistol permit; do I still need a gold card?
The gold card is an endorsement on your pistol permit. You must possess this endorsement to carry a firearm while acting as a professional bondsman, surety bondsman, or bail enforcement agent. This includes bondsmen who carry a firearm while writing bonds.
Is it true I can only carry firearms I qualify on?
Yes, the Department of Public Safety requires that you qualify on each weapon you carry. These are recorded by make, model, caliber, and serial number.
Do I have to retake the course to add a firearm?
No, but you must qualify on each individual firearm you plan to carry.
What do I need for this course?
You will need a duty firearm, 300 rounds of ammunition, a strong side holster, at least 3 spare magazines/speed loaders, ear/eye protection, and a hat with a brim.
Is the shooting done indoors or out?
This course is shot outdoors on a range with no overhang. The course will occur regardless of the weather, so you should be prepared to be outside for several hours.
What happens if I fail the qualification course?
If your score is within 10% of a passing score, the instructor has the discretion of allowing you to do a reshoot of the course. If you do not pass the qualification course you must retake the class at a later date, or schedule 1 on 1 instruction with our Gold Card firearms instructors.
Can I qualify on the gun I just bought?
Yes, but in our experience students who purchase new handguns and bring them to the course without any practice often fail the course of fire. The qualification course is not an appropriate place to learn how to shoot a new gun.
Do you recommend any particular holster or equipment?
For students who do not own a holster with a retention device we recommend checking out the Safariland ALS. Several of our previous students use this holster, and we find it allows the user to obtain a full grip while releasing the retention device. The design of the holster makes it easy to use, secures the weapon, and allows for a fast draw. While this holster meets our needs, we have found that unfortunately trial and error seems to be the only way to see if a particular piece of equipment is right for you. When choosing a duty holster be sure that the trigger is fully covered by the holster; that you are able to obtain a full firing grip as you disengage safety devices; and that the holster has a method of retaining the weapon such as a strap or release button.
What guns do you recommend for bail enforcement?
There is no perfect firearm for a BEA. Your primary concern should be the reliability of the firearm, and your proficiency in using it. We would recommend that the firearm be a 9mm, .40 cal., or .45 cal. semiautomatic that is either double action, double-single action, or striker fired; or that you carry a 38spcl. or .357 cal. revolver. We recommend against single action firearms like the 1911 because in our experience they require additional training time that many students are not able or willing to take.
Blue Card: Security Officer Firearms Qualification
I have a pistol permit; do I still need a blue card?
You must possess a blue card to work as an armed security officer in the state of Connecticut.
Is it true I can only carry firearms I qualify on?
Yes, the Department of Public Safety requires that you qualify on each weapon you carry. These are recorded by make, model, caliber, and serial number. The company you work for may have additional restrictions.
Do I have to requalify every year?
Yes, this is required by state law.
OCAT
Do I have to be certified in O.C.?
While there is no statutory requirement that you be certified in O.C. as either a surety bond agent or Bail Enforcement Agent, we strongly recommend that you become certified through our class or a similar course. It is our experience that agents forced to use O.C. pepperspray to defend themselves while working in the bail industry are asked what training they have recieved, and whether or not they are certified to use O.C. Demonstrating that you have the appropriate training and experience may be the differance between civil and criminal charges.
Don’t BEA 101 and Bail 102 cover use of O.C.?
BEA 101 does include certification in the use of O.C. through the OCAT program. While Bail 102 covers the use of force, including O.C., it is no substitute for a recognized O.C. certification course.
Do I have to get sprayed with the O.C. to become certified?
The OCAT program does not require that you be exposed to O.C. in order to be certified, however we strongly recommend you be exposed to O.C. during the course so that you will know how you will react when and if you are exposed in the field.
What are the requirements for certification in O.C.?
You must be active as a law enforcement officer, security officer, BEA, or bondsman. We will train others, but the OCAT certification can not be granted to civilians. Additionally you must pass a written exam and proficiency exam to be certified. While exposure to O.C. is not required, we highly recommend that as well.
PATH
Do I have to be certified with handcuffs?
There is no statutory requirement that you be certified with handcuffs as either a surety bond agent or Bail Enforcement Agent. We strongly recommend that you become certified through our class or a similar course.
Don’t BEA 101 and Bail 102 cover use of handcuffs?
BEA 101 does include certification in the use of handcuffs through the PATH program. While Bail 102 covers the use of force, including handcuffs, it is no substitute for a recognized handcuff certification course.
What are the requirements to be certified with handcuffs?
You must be active as a law enforcement officer, security officer, BEA, or bondsman. We will not train non law enforcement/security.bail industry individuals in handcuffing. Additionally you must pass a written exam and proficiency exam to be certified.
NRA Basic Pistol
What do I need to get a pistol permit?
You will need to pick up an application from your local police department and take the NRA Basic Pistol Course.
Do I need a gun or ammunition for this class?
No we supply all firearms and ammunition for the course.
I have never shot before, can I still take the class?
Absolutely, this course is geared towards building the skill level of novice and beginning shooters.
Advanced Handcuffing
What is the purpose of advanced handcuffing?
Advanced handcuffing is designed to allow working agents to practice decentralization techniques without having to sit through an introductory course.
Who can take advanced handcuffing?
Anyone with experience using handcuffs.
Will I get an advanced handcuffing certification for attending this class?
No, this class is designed to provide individuals with practice applying techniques in a controlled environment. We do issue certificates of completion so that you can track the training you have done.