Bail Bondsmen

Ark. Code Ann. tit. 17, ch. 19

in effect

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-101 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) “Bail bond or appearance bond” means a bond for a specified monetary amount which is executed by the defendant and a qualified licensee under this chapter and which is issued to a court, magistrate, or authorized officer as security for the subsequent court appearance of the defendant upon his or her release from actual custody pending the appearance; (2) “Insurer” means any surety company which has qualified to transact surety business in this state; (3) “Licensee” means a professional bail bond company or a professional bail bondsman; (4) “Professional bail bond company” means an individual who is a resident of this state, an Arkansas firm, partnership, or corporation, or a foreign corporation registered and authorized to conduct business in the State of Arkansas that pledges a bail bond in connection with a judicial proceeding and receives or is promised therefor money or other things of value; and (5) “Professional bail bondsman” means an individual who is a resident of this state and who acts through authority of a professional bail bond company in pledging a bail bond as security in a judicial proceeding.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-102 Penalties.

(a) Any person who is found guilty of violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall upon conviction be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. (b) Any person who falsely represents to the Professional Bail Bond Company and Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board that any person has met the education or continuing education requirements of §§ 17-19-107 and 17-19-212 and § 17-19-401 et seq. shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished accordingly.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-103 Civil and criminal proceedings.

The venue for any criminal or civil proceeding filed for any violation of this chapter shall be in the county wherein the violation occurred.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-104 Exemption.

This chapter shall not affect the negotiation through a licensed broker or agent for, nor the execution or delivery of, an undertaking of bail executed by an insurer for its insured under a policy of automobile insurance or of liability insurance upon the automobile of the insured.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-105 Prohibitions.

No professional bail bondsman or professional bail bond company, nor court, nor law enforcement officer, nor any individual working on behalf of a professional bail bondsman or professional bail bond company, shall: (1) Require as a condition of his or her executing a bail bond that the principal agree to engage the services of a specified attorney; (2) Solicit business or advertise for business in or about any place where prisoners are confined or in or about any court; (3) Suggest or advise the engagement of any bail bond company or professional bail bondsman to underwrite a bail bond; (4) Enter a police station, jail, sheriff's office, or other place where persons in custody of the law are detained for the purpose of obtaining employment as a professional bail bondsman or professional bail bond company, without having been previously called by a person so detained or by some relative or other authorized person acting for or in behalf of the person so detained. Whenever such an entry occurs, the person in charge of the facility shall be given and promptly record the mission of the licensee and the name of the person calling the licensee and requesting him or her to come; (5) Pay a fee or rebate or give or promise anything of value to: (A) A jailer, police officer, peace officer, committing magistrate, or any other person who has power to arrest or to hold in custody; or (B) Any public official or public employee in order to secure a settlement, compromise, remission, or reduction of the amount of any bail bond or estreatment thereof; (6) Pay a fee or rebate or give anything of value to an attorney in bail bond matters, except in defense of any action on a bond; (7) Pay a fee or rebate or give or promise anything of value to the principal or anyone in his or her behalf; (8)(A) Participate in the capacity of an attorney at a trial or hearing of one on whose bond he or she is surety; (B) Attempt to obtain settlement or dismissal of a case; (C) Give or attempt to give any legal advice to one on whose bond he or she is surety; (9) Accept anything of value from a principal except the premium, provided that the licensee shall be permitted to accept collateral security or other indemnity from the principal which shall be returned upon final termination of liability on the bond. The collateral security or other indemnity required by the licensee must be reasonable in relation to the amount of the bond; or (10) Permit a bail bond to be executed to effect the release of a defendant without the bondsman being physically present.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-106 Professional Bail Bond Company and Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board.

(a) This section may be cited as the “Arkansas Professional Bail Bond Company and Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Act”. (b)(1) There is hereby created the Professional Bail Bond Company and Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board. (2)(A) The board shall be composed of seven (7) members to be appointed by the Governor for terms of seven (7) years. (B) Vacancies shall be filled by appointment of the Governor for the unexpired portion of the term. (3)(A) Three (3) members of the board shall be licensed bail bond company owners, one (1) a current or former municipal chief of police, one (1) a current or former county sheriff, and two (2) shall be residents of the state who are not a bail bond company owner, a sheriff, or a chief of police. (B) Each congressional district shall be represented by at least one (1) member of the board. (4) The board shall have the authority and responsibility to administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter relating to licensing and regulation of professional bail bond companies and professional bail bondsmen. (5) The board shall have the authority to adopt and enforce such reasonable rules as it determines to be necessary to enable it to effectively and efficiently carry out its official duty of licensing and regulating professional bail bond companies and professional bail bondsmen. (c) The members of the board shall receive expense reimbursement in accordance with § 25-16-901 et seq., and a stipend pursuant to § 25-16-904. (d) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to repeal any laws in effect on August 13, 1993, relating to the licensing and regulation of professional bail bond companies and professional bail bondsmen but such laws shall remain in full force and effect and shall be administered by the board created herein.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-107 Exception to education requirements.

Any licensed professional bail bondsman who is sixty-five (65) years of age or older and who has been licensed as a bail bondsman for fifteen (15) years or more shall be exempt from both the education and continuing education requirements of § 17-19-212 and § 17-19-401 et seq.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-108 Rules.

The Professional Bail Bond Company and Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board shall adopt such reasonable rules as it shall deem necessary to assure the effective and efficient administration of §§ 17-19-107 and 17-19-212 and § 17-19-401 et seq.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-109 Advertising by professional bail bond companies.

(a) All business cards, signs, telephone ads, newspaper ads, or any other type of advertising by professional bail bond companies shall display the company name prominently to assure that the identity of the company doing the advertising is readily apparent. (b) Any such advertising by or on behalf of individual professional bail bondsmen shall prominently display the name of the bail bond company and shall contain no information or other indication that the bail bondsman is independent of the company.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-110 Licensed bail bond agent.

(a) A licensed bail bond agent shall be permitted to write a bail bond in any county if: (1) The agent has a current license with a current licensed professional bail bond company; and (2) The agent and the agent's company are in good standing with the courts in the jurisdiction where the bond is to be posted. (b) A licensed bail bond agent shall carry a current copy of his or her professional bail bond agent license that shall indicate which professional bail bond company the bondsman works for and his or her qualifying power of attorney that is on file with the Professional Bail Bond Company and Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board. (c)(1) Only one (1) power of attorney per bond not exceeding the agent's qualifying power of attorney shall be permitted unless a court has separated the charges and amounts of bonds. (2) Powers of attorney shall not be stacked.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-111 Fees.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter to the contrary, and notwithstanding any other provisions of Arkansas law to the contrary, a professional bail bond company, county sheriff, keeper of a jail, or other person authorized to take bond under § 16-84-102 is hereby required to charge, collect, and remit the following fees into the Bail Bondsman Board Fund for the support, personnel, maintenance, and operations of the Professional Bail Bond Company and Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board and for the Domestic Peace Fund administered by the Arkansas Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission, in addition to any other fees, taxes, premium taxes, levies, or other assessments imposed in connection with the issuance of bail bonds under Arkansas law. (b)(1) In addition to the bail or appearance bond premium or compensation allowed under § 17-19-301, each licensed professional bail bond company, county sheriff, keeper of a jail, or other person authorized to take bond under § 16-84-102 shall charge and collect as a nonrefundable fee for the Bail Bondsman Board Fund an additional fee of ten dollars ($10.00) per bail bond for giving bond for each bail and appearance bond issued by the licensed professional bail bond company, county sheriff, keeper of a jail, or other person authorized to take bond under § 16-84-102 by or through its individual licensees. (2) The fee shall be collected quarterly and then reported and filed with the board no later than fifteen (15) calendar days after the end of each quarter. (3) The notarized quarterly reporting form and a notarized annual reconciliation form as to all fees collected for the Bail Bondsman Board Fund shall be filed by each professional bail bond company on forms prescribed by the board and at the times and in the manner as the board shall prescribe in conformity with this section. (4) A paper-processing charge of fifteen dollars ($15.00) shall be collected on each bail bond in order to defray the surety's costs incurred by the quarterly and annual reporting requirements contained in this section and to further defray the surety's costs incurred in the collection of all fees due, owing, and collected on behalf of the Bail Bondsman Board Fund and the surety's costs incurred in the preparation of all required reports submitted in conformance with the standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. (c)(1) The board may grant an extension for the filing of the report and fees for good cause shown upon timely written request. (2) Absent an extension for good cause shown, each licensed professional bail bond company failing to report or pay these fees shall be liable to the Bail Bondsman Board Fund for a monetary penalty of one hundred dollars ($100) per day for each day of delinquency. (3) The board may pursue any appropriate legal remedies on behalf of the Bail Bondsman Board Fund to collect any delinquent fees and penalties. (d)(1) Upon collection of the fees and any monetary penalties, the board shall deposit or fund: (A) Sufficient fees and penalties directly into the Bail Bondsman Board Fund to provide for the personal services and operating expenses of the board; and (B) The remainder of all fees and penalties directly into the Domestic Peace Fund administered by the Arkansas Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission. (2) The fees and penalties shall be in addition to all other fees, licensure or registration fees, taxes, assessments, levies, or penalties payable to any federal or state office, court, agency, board, or commission or other public official or officer of the state, or its political subdivisions, including counties, cities, or municipalities, by a professional bail bond company, county sheriff, keeper of a jail, or other person authorized to take bond under § 16-84-102. (3)(A) Each bail bondsman is required to assist in collection of the fees but is exempt from the payment of the fees to the Bail Bondsman Board Fund unless he or she misappropriates or converts such moneys to his or her own use or to the use of others not entitled to the fees. (B) In that case, the board shall proceed on behalf of the Bail Bondsman Board Fund with any civil or criminal remedies at its disposal against the individual responsible. (C) Upon criminal conviction of the individual responsible for fraudulent conversion of the moneys due the Bail Bondsman Board Fund, the individual responsible shall pay restitution to the Bail Bondsman Board Fund, and the court shall incorporate a finding to that effect in its order. (D) Absent substantial evidence to the contrary, the violations by the individual may be attributed to the employing bail bond company, and any criminal or civil court may, in its discretion and upon substantial evidence, order the employing bail bond company to pay restitution to the Bail Bondsman Board Fund on behalf of the responsible individual and shall incorporate that finding into its order. (e) For purposes of any statutory security deposit Arkansas law requires of professional bail bond companies, including, but not limited to, the deposit under § 17-19-205, the payment of the fees required by this section is considered to be a duty of the licensee, so as to allow the board on behalf of the Bail Bondsman Board Fund to make a claim against any such deposit for the fees required by this section and any penalties owed on the fees, up to the limit of any security deposit. (f) Under no circumstances shall the fees or penalties held in or for deposit into the Bail Bondsman Board Fund be subject to any tax, levy, or assessment of any kind, including, but not limited to, bond forfeiture claims, garnishment or general creditors' claims, remedies under Title 16 of this Code, or other provisions of Arkansas law.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-112 Unpaid bond forfeiture judgment limits.

(a)(1) There shall be an initial one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) limit on active unpaid bond forfeiture judgments for each bail bonding company. (2) Under this section, the amount of unpaid forfeiture or forfeitures shall be determined using the face value of an unpaid forfeited bond. (b) When the Professional Bail Bond Company and Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board is notified of a bond forfeiture judgment under § 17-19-208(b)(1) and has issued notice to the company after ninety (90) days from the date of judgment has elapsed, the value of the forfeited bond shall count against that company's respective limit. (c) When a company's unpaid bond forfeiture or forfeitures reach one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) or the total amount of security deposit posted with the board, whichever is higher, the company license shall be suspended. (d) The license shall remain suspended until: (1) The company can post an additional certificate of deposit or letter of credit with the board so that the company's security deposit exceeds the unpaid bond forfeiture or forfeitures amount; (2) The bond forfeiture judgment or judgments are paid to the extent that the total amount of unpaid forfeiture or forfeitures are less than the security deposit posted with the board; or (3)(A) The court that entered the bond forfeiture judgment releases the company's security deposit from responsibility on the unpaid forfeiture as required by § 17-19-208(a)(1). (B) If the court releases the company's security deposit from responsibility on an unpaid bond forfeiture judgment, the release must be decreed by court order. (e) If the court releases the company's security deposit from liability on a bond forfeiture, that bond amount shall not count against the company's unpaid forfeiture limit. (f) A company's unpaid bond forfeiture limit shall not exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) unless the company has posted additional security with the board and shall never exceed the company's total amount of posted security deposit or one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), whichever is more.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-201 Licenses required.

(a) No person shall engage in bail bond business without first having been licensed as provided in this chapter. (b) A professional bail bondsman shall not execute, issue, or deliver an appearance bond in this state without holding a valid appointment from a professional bail bond company and without attaching to the appearance bond an executed and numbered power of attorney referencing the professional bail bond company. (c) An insurer shall not execute an undertaking of bail without being licensed as a professional bail bond company. (d) A professional bail bond company shall not engage in the bail bond business: (1) Without having been licensed as a professional bail bond company under this chapter; and (2) Except through an agent licensed as a professional bail bondsman under this chapter. (e) A professional bail bond company shall not permit any unlicensed person to solicit or engage in the bail bond business in the company's behalf, except for individuals who are employed solely for the performance of clerical, stenographic, investigative, or other administrative duties which do not require a license under this chapter and whose compensation is not related to or contingent upon the number of bonds written.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-202 Applications. [Effective May 1, 2021.]

(a) Every applicant for a professional bail bondsman license or a professional bail bond company license shall apply on forms furnished by the Professional Bail Bond Company and Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board. (b) The application of a professional bail bondsman shall be accompanied by a duly executed power of attorney issued by the professional bail bond company for whom the professional bail bondsman will be acting. (c)(1) An application for a professional bail bond company license shall be accompanied by proof that the applicant: (A) Is an Arkansas partnership, firm, or corporation, a foreign corporation registered and authorized to conduct business in the State of Arkansas, or an individual who is a resident of the state; and (B) Has at least one (1) owner or partner that has been licensed for at least two (2) years during the last three (3) years by the State of Arkansas as a professional bail bondsman. (2) A corporation shall file proof that its most recent annual franchise tax has been paid to the Secretary of State. (d)(1)(A) At the time of application for every professional bail bond company license, there shall be paid to the board: (i) For a new company license, a fee of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500); or (ii) For a renewal of a company license, a fee of one thousand dollars ($1,000). (B) Each professional bail bond company license or renewal for a sole proprietor, partnership, or corporation shall include one (1) license for one (1) agent per company per year. (2) Each applicant for a professional bail bondsman license shall pay the board a license fee of one hundred dollars ($100) at the time of application, except that if the applicant is also an applicant as an individual for a professional bail bond company license, then the applicant shall not be required to pay a license fee for licensure as a professional bail bondsman but shall comply with all other requirements for licensure as a professional bail bondsman. (3) License fees shall be payable in full on a yearly basis regardless of the date of issuance. (4) Any agent who transfers his or her license from one professional bail bond company to another shall: (A) Pay to the board a transfer fee of two hundred fifty dollars ($250); and (B) File with the board: (i) A sworn affidavit stating that all premiums, fees, and powers of attorney owed to or issued by the professional bail bond company from which he or she is transferring his or her license have been delivered to the company; (ii) A letter of resignation addressed to the professional bail bond company from which he or she is transferring or a letter of termination addressed to him or her from the professional bail bond company terminating his or her appointment; (iii) A completed agent application on forms prescribed by the board; (iv) A completed company statement from the company to which he or she desires to transfer his or her license; and (v) An original qualifying power of attorney issued by the company to which he or she desires to transfer his or her license. (5)(A) Upon receipt of a request for transfer of a bail bondsman license, the applicable transfer fee, and the documents specified in subdivision (d)(4) of this section, the board shall forward copies of the letter of resignation, if applicable, and the sworn affidavit of the agent to the professional bail bond company from which the agent desires to transfer his or her license. (B) Upon receipt of the letter of resignation, if applicable, and the sworn affidavit of the licensee, the professional bail bond company from which the agent is transferring shall have seven (7) business days to contest the agent's sworn statement. (C) A professional bail bond company contesting an agent's sworn statement shall file a written complaint on forms furnished by the board setting out in detail the property that the company denies the agent has returned as attested by the sworn affidavit. (D) Any documents supporting the complaint contesting the sworn affidavit and which shall be offered as evidence to prove the complaint shall be filed with the complaint. (E) Upon receipt of the complaint, the Executive Director of the Professional Bail Bond Company and Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board shall set the matter for informal hearing to be held within seven (7) days of receipt of the complaint and advise the professional bail bond company and the agent by certified mail, return receipt requested, of the date, time, and location of the informal hearing. (F) Either party may appeal the decision of the executive director to a formal hearing before the board by filing with the board a notice of appeal within seven (7) days of receipt of the decision by the executive director. (G)(i) No transfer of an agent's license shall be effective before the expiration of the seven-day period for contesting the transfer request unless the professional bail bond company from which the agent is requesting a transfer shall notify the board that it has no objection to the transfer, in which case the transfer may be entered before expiration of the seven-day period. (ii) If no complaint contesting the agent's sworn affidavit is received during the seven-day contest period, the license shall be transferred as requested. (iii) A professional bail bond company that does not contest the sworn affidavit of a transferring agent is not precluded by the failure to contest the sworn affidavit from filing a complaint that alleges a violation of the applicable statutes or rules by the transferring agent upon discovery of the alleged violation by the professional bail bond company. (H)(i) If the allegations of a complaint contesting the transfer are found by the board to have been established, no transfer of the license shall be accomplished until the agent accounts for, returns, or pays to the professional bail bond company contesting the transfer the property or money issued to or held in a fiduciary capacity by the agent. (ii) If a complaint is filed contesting the sworn affidavit of the transferring agent, a specific finding of fact shall be made by the board concerning whether the affidavit or complaint contesting the affidavit was filed in good faith by the respective parties. (iii) In the case of a finding of a lack of good faith, the party to whom the finding applies shall be subject to sanctions or disciplinary action pursuant to the provisions of § 17-19-210 and as provided by applicable rules.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-203 Character references.

Each applicant for a professional bail bondsman license shall: (1) File with the Professional Bail Bond Company and Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board written statements from at least three (3) persons who know his or her character; (2)(A) Be required to apply to the Identification Bureau of the Division of Arkansas State Police for a state and nationwide criminal records check to be conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. (B) The criminal records check shall conform to the applicable federal standards and shall include the taking of fingerprints. (C) The applicant shall sign a release of information to the board and shall be responsible to the Division of Arkansas State Police for the payment of any fee associated with the criminal records check. (D) Upon completion of the criminal records check, the Identification Bureau shall forward all information obtained concerning the applicant to the board. (E) At the conclusion of the criminal background check required by this subdivision (2), the Identification Bureau shall promptly destroy the fingerprint card of the applicant; and (3) Provide other proof as the board may require that he or she is competent, trustworthy, financially responsible, and of good personal and business reputation and has not been convicted of a felony listed under § 17-3-102.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-204 Examination.

(a) In order to determine the competence of each applicant for a professional bail bondsman license, the Professional Bail Bond Company and Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board shall require every individual to submit to, and to pass to the satisfaction of the board, a written examination to be prepared by the board and appropriate to the transaction of bail bond business. (b) Such an examination shall be held in a location and at such times as the board shall determine. (c) Every individual applying to take a written examination shall, at the time of applying therefor, pay to the board a nonrefundable examination fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00). (d) If the application is approved, and if the nonrefundable examination fee is paid, an examination permit will be issued to the applicant. The permit will be valid for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of issuance. If the applicant does not schedule and appear for examination within that ninety-day period, the permit shall expire and the applicant may be required to file a new application, and shall pay another nonrefundable examination fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) before issuance of another examination permit to the applicant. (e) If the applicant appears for examination but fails to pass the examination, the applicant may apply for reexamination. The reexamination fee shall be a nonrefundable fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00). The board may require a waiting period of eight (8) weeks before reexamination of an applicant who twice failed to pass previous similar examinations.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-205 Letter of credit or certificate of deposit required.

(a)(1) An applicant for a professional bail bond company license shall file with the Professional Bail Bond Company and Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board an irrevocable letter of credit from an Arkansas chartered bank or a federally chartered bank in Arkansas or a certificate of deposit. (2)(A) The letter of credit or certificate of deposit shall be approved by the board as to form and sufficiency and shall be conditioned upon faithful performance of the duties of the licensee. (B) The minimum amount for a professional bail bond company initially licensed on or before July 1, 1989, shall be twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000). (C) The minimum amount for a professional bail bond company initially licensed after July 1, 1989, shall be one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000). (D) The minimum amount for a professional bail bond company initially licensed on or after July 1, 2009, shall be two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000). (E) Professional bail bond companies and professional bail bondsmen who were licensed under Act 400 of 1971 [repealed] before March 8, 1989, shall be required only to file or have on file with the board a letter of credit or certificate of deposit approved by the board as to form and sufficiency, in a minimum amount of five thousand dollars ($5,000), conditioned upon the faithful performance of the duties of the licensee, provided they do not exceed the maximum amount of unsecured bond commitments as provided in § 17-19-304 [repealed]. (b) A letter of credit or certificate of deposit shall not be subject to termination or cancellation by either party in less than sixty (60) days after the giving of written notice thereof to the other parties and to the board. (c) A termination or cancellation shall not affect the liability of the surety or sureties on a bond incurred before the effective date of termination or cancellation.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-206 Duties of board and clerks.

(a) Before issuance of a license under this chapter, applicants for a license shall satisfy the Professional Bail Bond Company and Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board as to Arkansas residency, trustworthiness, and competence, as applicable, and shall otherwise comply with the conditions and qualifications set forth in this chapter. (b)(1) The board may refuse to issue a license to an applicant who fails to comply with the provisions of this chapter or rule of the board. (2) The board may refuse to issue a license to an applicant that has made a material misrepresentation in the application for a license. (c) Upon the approval and issuance of a license under this chapter, the board shall give notice to the sheriff of each county in the state. (d) Upon revocation or suspension of license, the board shall give notice to that effect to the sheriff in each county in the state. (e) The board shall maintain a complete record of registrations, revocations, and suspensions, and the record shall be available to the sheriff and county clerk of each county of the state. (f) Annually, the board shall furnish the sheriffs with a list of renewal licenses.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-207 Expiration and renewal.

(a) Every license issued pursuant to this chapter shall be for a term expiring on December 31 following the date of its issuance, and it may be renewed for the ensuing calendar year upon the filing of a renewal application. (b) The Professional Bail Bond Company and Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board may refuse to renew a license for any cause for which issuance of the original license could have been refused or for the licensee's violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or the rules of the board. (c) Every licensee shall be required to file a renewal application, the form and subject matter of which shall be prescribed by the board. (d)(1) At the time of application for renewal of a professional bail bond company license, there shall be paid to the board for the company's renewal license a fee of one thousand dollars ($1,000). (2) Each professional bail bondsman shall pay a fee of one hundred dollars ($100) for renewal of the license, except that if the applicant for renewal also holds a professional bail bond company license, then the applicant shall not be required to pay a renewal fee for a professional bail bondsman license.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-208 Civil action — Administrative action.

(a)(1) If during the term of the letter of credit or certificate of deposit any licensee shall be guilty of misconduct or malfeasance in his or her dealings with any court or magistrate or officer or with any person or company in connection with any deposit or bail bond, the Professional Bail Bond Company and Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board may maintain a civil action on the letter of credit or certificate of deposit, or may maintain an administrative action on any certificate of deposit. The board may recover for the use and benefit of the person or persons aggrieved a maximum amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000). The provisions of this subdivision (a)(1) shall be in addition to all other remedies available to the aggrieved person and nothing in this subdivision (a)(1) shall be construed as limiting the liability of a professional bail bond company or a professional bail bondsman. (2) The board may suspend the license of such a licensee until such time as the board recovers the full amount allowable or recovers for the benefit of the persons aggrieved the amount of loss or injury sustained pursuant to subdivision (a)(1) of this section, and until such time as the licensee has filed with the board an additional letter of credit or certificate of deposit in the required amount. The board shall promptly notify the licensee as provided in subdivision (b)(2) of this section. (b)(1) When a final civil judgment for court-ordered bond forfeitures is entered as to a bail bond issued by the licensee by a court of competent jurisdiction in this state and the judgment is not paid within ninety (90) days thereafter, the court may send a copy of the judgment, duly certified by the clerk of the court, and proof of service of the judgment on the licensee in accordance with Rule 5 of the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure to the board, and then the board may promptly make a claim on the surety for payment of the allowable amount of the licensee's letters of credit on behalf of the court or shall withdraw the allowable amount of the licensee's certificates of deposit and shall transmit to the clerk of the court so much of the securities as are allowable. The board shall honor the judgments from the respective courts up to the limits set out in subdivision (a)(1) of this section. (2) Upon receipt of the judgment and proof of notice of service on the licensee, the board may suspend the license of the licensee until such time as the judgment is paid or otherwise satisfied and until such time as the licensee has filed with the board another letter of credit or certificate of deposit in the required amount. The board shall promptly notify the licensee in writing by certified mail of the claims upon the licensee's letter of credit or certificates of deposit and shall also include a copy of the board's order of suspension. (3) If the allowable amount of the letter of credit or certificate of deposit filed with the board is not sufficient to pay or otherwise satisfy the judgments as to bail bonds issued by the professional bail bond company in § 17-19-205(a), the board may promptly make a claim against the professional bail bond company on behalf of the court. (c) In the event a professional bail bond company fails to file with the board the additional letter of credit or certificate of deposit to maintain the license within ninety (90) days from the effective date of the board's order of suspension as provided in subdivision (a)(2), (b)(2), or (b)(3) of this section, the board shall cancel the license of the licensee and shall promptly notify the licensee as provided in subdivision (b)(2) of this section. (d) Upon the nonrenewal, cancellation, or revocation of any license hereunder, the board will release to the licensee the qualifying bonds or certificates of deposit filed with the board only upon receipt of written documentation from all the courts in all the counties in which the licensee engaged in business that all bonds issued by the licensee have been exonerated, and that no unpaid bond forfeitures remain outstanding, and that all civil judgments as to forfeitures on bonds issued by the licensee have been paid in full. (e) If a company license has been revoked because of unpaid judgments, during the appeals process the company shall file a supersedeas bond in the amount of the unpaid judgments with the court in which the appeal is taken.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-209 Violations — Hearings.

(a) The Professional Bail Bond Company and Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board shall investigate any alleged violation of this chapter. (b) Any person may file a complaint stating facts constituting an alleged violation of this chapter. The complaint shall be signed under penalty of perjury. (c) All hearings held under this chapter shall be conducted in the same manner as hearings held by the board under the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, § 25-15-201 et seq., unless otherwise stated in this chapter. (d)(1)(A) With respect to the subject of any examination, investigation, or hearing being conducted by the board, the board or the Executive Director of the Professional Bail Bond Company and Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board, with board approval, may subpoena witnesses and administer oaths and affirmations, and examine an individual under oath, and may require and compel the production of records, books, papers, contracts, and other documents. (B) A professional bail bondsman or professional bail bond company that fails to comply with this section may be subject to penalties under § 17-19-210. (2) Subpoenas of witnesses shall be served in the same manner as if issued by a circuit court and may be served by certified mail. (3) If any individual fails to obey a subpoena issued and served pursuant to this section with respect to any matter concerning which he or she may be lawfully interrogated, upon application of the board, the Pulaski County Circuit Court may issue an order requiring the individual to comply with the subpoena and to testify. (4) Any failure to obey the order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt thereof. (5) Any person willfully testifying falsely under oath to any matter material to any examination, investigation, or hearing shall upon conviction be guilty of perjury and punished accordingly. (e) Not less than ten (10) days in advance, the board shall give notice of the time and place of the hearing, stating the matters to be considered at the hearing. (f) The board shall allow any party to the hearing to appear in person and by counsel, to be present during the giving of all evidence, to have a reasonable opportunity to inspect all documentary evidence and to examine witnesses, to present evidence in support of his or her interest, and to have subpoenas issued by the board to compel attendance of witnesses and production of evidence in his or her behalf. (g)(1) A party may appeal from any order of the board as a matter of right and shall be taken to the Pulaski County Circuit Court by filing written notice of appeal to the court and by filing a copy of the notice with the board. (2) Within thirty (30) days after filing the copy of a notice of appeal with the board, the board shall make, certify, and deposit in the office of the clerk of the court in which the appeal is pending a full and complete transcript of all proceedings had before the board and all evidence before the board in the matter, including all of the board's files therein.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-210 Suspension and penalties — Review.

(a) The Professional Bail Bond Company and Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board, should it determine that the licensee or any member of a company which is so licensed committed an act listed in subsection (b) of this section, may: (1) Suspend the license for up to twelve (12) months; (2) Revoke or refuse to continue any license; (3) Impose an administrative penalty in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000); or (4) Impose both a suspension of up to twelve (12) months and an administrative penalty in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000). (b) A licensee is subject to the penalties of subsection (a) of this section should it be found that the licensee: (1) Violated any provision of or any obligation imposed by this chapter or any lawful rule or order of the board or has been convicted of a felony listed under § 17-3-102; (2) Made a material misstatement in the application for license, in the application for renewal license, or in the financial statement which accompanies the application or renewal application for license as a professional bail bond company; (3) Committed any fraudulent or dishonest acts or practices or demonstrated incompetency or untrustworthiness to act as a licensee; (4) Charged or received, as premium or compensation for the making of any deposit or bail bond, any sum in excess of that permitted by law; (5) Required as a condition of executing a bail bond that the principal agree to engage the services of a specified attorney; (6) Signed, executed, or issued bonds with endorsements in blank, or prepared or issued fraudulent or forged bonds or power of attorney; (7) Failed in the applicable regular course of business to account for and to pay premiums held by the licensee in a fiduciary capacity to the professional bail bond company or other person entitled thereto; or (8) Failed to comply with the provisions of the laws of this state, or rule or order of the board for which issuance of the license could have been refused had it then existed and been known to the board. (c) The acts or conduct of a professional bail bondsman who acts within the scope of the authority delegated to him or her shall also be deemed the act or conduct of the professional bail bond company for which the professional bail bondsman is acting as agent. (d) If the board finds that one (1) or more grounds exist for the suspension or revocation of a license, the board may in its discretion request that formal charges be filed against the violator and that penalties set out in § 17-19-102 be imposed. (e) If the board finds that one (1) or more grounds exist for the suspension or revocation of a license and that the license has been suspended within the previous twenty-four (24) months, then the board shall revoke the license. (f) The board may not again issue a license under this chapter to any person or entity whose license has been revoked. (g) If the board determines that the public health, safety, or welfare imperatively requires emergency action and incorporates a finding to that effect in its order, a summary suspension of a license issued under this chapter may be ordered pending an administrative hearing before the board, which shall be promptly instituted. (h) If a professional bail bond company license is so suspended or revoked, a member of the company or officer or director of the corporation shall not be licensed or be designated in any license to exercise the powers thereof during the period of the suspension or revocation, unless the board determines upon substantial evidence that the member, officer, or director was not personally at fault and did not acquiesce in the matter on account of which the license was suspended or revoked. (i) The action of the board in issuing or refusing to issue or in suspending or revoking any license shall be subject to review by the Pulaski County Circuit Court upon filing of an action therefor within thirty (30) days after the issuance of written notice by the board of the action taken.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-212 Licenses.

Each applicant for an initial bail bondsman license who satisfactorily completes the examination and meets the other qualifications and requirements prescribed by law, including the completion of a minimum of eight (8) hours of education in subjects pertaining to the authority and responsibilities of a bail bondsman and a review of the laws and rules relating thereto, shall be licensed by the Professional Bail Bond Company and Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-301 Premiums.

(a)(1) Except as provided in this section, the premium or compensation for giving bond or depositing money or property as bail on any bond shall be ten percent (10%), except that the amount may be rounded up to the nearest five-dollar amount. (2)(A) The premium or compensation under subdivision (a)(1) of this section shall be deposited in full prior to release. (B) In no event shall all or a portion of the premium or compensation under subdivision (a)(1) of this section be deposited after release. (3) If property is deposited as bail to meet the premium or compensation under subdivision (a)(1) of this section, appropriate documentation shall be submitted to the court verifying: (A) The value of the property deposited as bail; and (B) That title to the property has been transferred to the surety. (b) The minimum compensation for giving bond or depositing money or property as bail on any bond shall be not less than fifty dollars ($50.00). (c) If a bail bond or appearance bond issued by a licensee under this chapter must be replaced with another bail bond or appearance bond because of the licensee's violation of any provision of the laws of this state or any rule or order of the Professional Bail Bond Company and Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board, the licensee who violated the provision and who caused the replacement to be required shall pay all the premium amount for the replacement bond, in an amount not to exceed the amount of the original bond, without any contribution from the respective defendant or principal. (d)(1)(A) In addition to the ten-percent bail or appearance bond premium or compensation allowed in subsection (a) of this section, and starting on July 1, 2013, each licensed professional bail bond company, sheriff, or keeper of the jail shall charge and collect as a nonrefundable administrative and regulatory fee for the board an additional ten dollars ($10.00) per bond fee for giving bond for every bail and appearance bond issued by the licensed professional bail bond company by or through its individual licensees, sheriffs, or keepers of the jail. (B) The administrative and regulatory fees payable by these companies to the Bail Bondsman Board Fund for the support and operation of the board, and collected by the bail bond companies, sheriffs, or keepers of the jail as required by this section, shall be reported and filed with the board no later than fifteen (15) calendar days after the end of each calendar quarter, contemporaneous with the professional bail bond company's filing of its quarterly bail bond report with the board. (C) A notarized annual reconciliation of all fees collected in the preceding calendar year for the Bail Bondsman Board Fund shall be filed by each licensed professional bail bond company at a time and on forms prescribed by the board. (D) The Executive Director of the Professional Bail Bond Company and Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board may grant an extension for good cause shown upon timely written request. (E) The administrative and regulatory fees payable by the bail bond companies, sheriffs, or keepers of the jail to the Bail Bondsman Board Fund shall not exceed ten dollars ($10.00) per bond, as required by this subchapter, exclusive of statutory licensure fees elsewhere in this chapter. (F) Upon collection of the fees and any monetary penalties, the board shall deposit as special revenues: (i) Sufficient fees and penalties directly into the Bail Bondsman Board Fund to provide for the personal services and operating expenses of the board under subsection (g) of this section; and (ii) The remainder of all fees and penalties directly into the Domestic Peace Fund administered by the Arkansas Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission. (2)(A) Absent an extension granted by the executive director for good cause to a company and in addition to any license suspension or revocation, the executive director may order after notice and a hearing a professional bail bond company failing timely to report or pay the regulatory fee to the Bail Bondsman Board Fund by and through the executive director shall be liable to the Bail Bondsman Board Fund for a monetary penalty of one hundred dollars ($100) per day for each day of delinquency. (B) The board may pursue any appropriate legal remedies on behalf of the Bail Bondsman Board Fund to collect any delinquent fees and penalties owed under this section as special revenues to the Bail Bondsman Board Fund. (3) Upon collection of the regulatory fees and any monetary penalties payable to the Bail Bondsman Board Fund and assessed under this section, the executive director shall deposit all fees and penalties directly into the Bail Bondsman Board Fund as special revenues. (4)(A) Upon failure of the bail bond company to remit the fees timely, the board may pursue civil legal remedies against the noncomplying bail bond company on behalf of the Bail Bondsman Board Fund to recover the balance of the fees and any penalties owed. (B)(i) The board may also fine or suspend or revoke the license of any professional bail bond company failing to make a quarterly report or remit or pay timely the fees required by this section. (ii) The board may promulgate rules for enforcement. (5)(A) Other than sole proprietors licensed as professional bail bond companies, individual bail bondsmen are exempt from the duty of payment of the administrative and regulatory fees to the Bail Bondsman Board Fund, except that the individual licenses of individual employees of the professional bail bond company may be suspended or revoked by the board under the administrative procedures provided in this chapter if the individual licensee fails to comply with his or her duties in proper collection of the bail bond premiums earmarked for later payment to the Bail Bondsman Board Fund under this subsection, if he or she converts the moneys to his or her own use, or if he or she commits other infractions in regard to collection of such premium amounts. (B) In those instances, the violations of the individual may in the board's discretion be attributed to the employing professional bail bond company for good cause shown, and the license of the employing professional bail bond company may be sanctioned by the executive director under the administrative procedures provided in this chapter. (C) Further, upon criminal conviction of the individual bondsman for theft of property in connection with fraudulent conversion of those premium amounts due the Bail Bondsman Board Fund, the board shall revoke the individual's license and fine or suspend or revoke the license of the employing professional bail bond company if it assisted the individual in such fraudulent conduct. (6)(A) For purposes of § 17-19-205 requiring the professional bail bond company's deposit of a letter of credit or certificate of deposit for the faithful performance of its duties, the company's payment of the administrative and regulatory fee required by this subsection is the duty of the licensee so as to allow the executive director to make a claim against the security deposit required in § 17-19-205 on behalf of the Bail Bondsman Board Fund for the balance of any owed and unpaid administrative and regulatory fees the professional bail bond company still owes to the Bail Bondsman Board Fund, and the executive director shall promptly make claims against security deposits on behalf of the Bail Bondsman Board Fund, up to the limit of the company's deposit for any remaining fee balance due, in the manner provided in this subchapter for any claim against the deposit required in this subchapter. (B) Deposits held for the Bail Bondsman Board Fund, or fees or any moneys deposited into the Bail Bondsman Board Fund are not subject to any levy or assessment of any kind, including forfeiture claims, misconduct claims, or general creditor claims of the bail bond company, subject to garnishment or other creditors' remedies under Title 16 of this Code or other provisions of Arkansas law. (e)(1) In addition to the premiums, compensation, and fees allowed in subsections (a) and (d) of this section, each sheriff, keeper of the jail, or bail bond company shall charge and collect twenty dollars ($20.00) as a nonrefundable fee for the Arkansas Public Defender Commission. (2) All fees collected shall be forwarded to the board for deposit into the Public Defender User Fee Fund. (3)(A) The Arkansas Public Defender Commission shall deposit the money collected into the existing account within the State Central Services Fund entitled “Public Defender User Fees”. (B)(i) Three dollars ($3.00) of each fee collected under this section shall be remitted to each county in the state to defray the operating expenses of each county's public defender office. (ii) The Arkansas Public Defender Commission shall remit quarterly to each county treasurer the county's portion of the fee collected under this section using the formula for the County Aid Fund under § 19-25-102. (4) The fees collected by the bail bond companies required under this subsection shall be reported and filed with the Arkansas Public Defender Commission quarterly. (5) A notarized annual reconciliation of all fees collected in the preceding calendar year shall be filed by each bail bond company by February 15 on forms provided by the board. (6) In addition to the bail or appearance bond premium or compensation allowed under this section and § 17-19-111, each licensed professional bail bond company, sheriff, or keeper of the jail shall charge and collect a processing fee of five dollars ($5.00) on each bail bond in order to defray the surety's costs incurred by the quarterly and annual reports to the Arkansas Public Defender Commission and to further defray the surety's costs incurred in the collection of all fees on behalf of the Arkansas Public Defender Commission. (7) The board may pursue any appropriate legal remedy for the collection of any delinquent fees owed under this subsection. (8) Upon collection of any fees and penalties, the board shall forward all fees and penalties to the Arkansas Public Defender Commission for deposit into the Public Defender User Fees Fund account within the State Central Services Fund. (f)(1) In addition to the premiums, compensation, and fees allowed under this chapter, each professional bail bond company, sheriff, keeper of the jail, or person authorized to take bail under § 16-84-102 shall charge and collect as a nonrefundable administrative bail bond fee for the Arkansas Counties Alcohol and Drug Abuse and Crime Prevention Program Fund an additional fee of six dollars ($6.00) per bail bond for giving bond for every bail bond issued by the professional bail bond company by or through its individual licensees, sheriffs, keepers of the jail, or any persons authorized to take bail under § 16-84-102. (2) The fees and penalties collected under this subsection by a professional bail bond company, sheriff, keeper of the jail, or a person authorized to take bail under § 16-84-102 shall be forwarded to the board for deposit into the Arkansas Counties Alcohol and Drug Abuse and Crime Prevention Program Fund. (3) The board shall deposit the money collected into the existing account within the Arkansas Counties Alcohol and Drug Abuse and Crime Prevention Program Fund to be used for the establishment and operation of alcohol abuse programs, drug abuse programs, crime prevention programs, and other related purposes in the counties. (4) The fees required under this subsection and collected by the bail bond companies, sheriffs, keepers of the jail, or persons authorized to take bail under § 16-84-102 shall be reported quarterly and filed with the board. (5)(A) Within fifteen (15) days after receiving the quarterly fees from the bail bond companies, sheriffs, keepers of the jail, or persons authorized to take bail under § 16-84-102, the board shall remit the fees collected under this subsection to the Arkansas Sheriffs' Association. (B) The Arkansas Sheriffs' Association is the official organization of sheriffs in this state and is organized and exists under the Arkansas Nonprofit Corporation Act, §§ 4-28-201 — 4-28-206 and §§ 4-28-209 — 4-28-224. (6) A notarized annual reconciliation of all fees collected in the preceding calendar year shall be filed on forms provided by the board by each professional bail bond company, sheriff, keeper of the jail, or person authorized to take bail under § 16-84-102 by February 15. (7) The Department of Finance and Administration may pursue any appropriate legal remedy for the collection of delinquent fees and penalties owed under this subsection against an entity that has a duty to collect the fee under this subsection. (8) The board shall promulgate rules to suspend, revoke, or take disciplinary action for noncompliance in failure to remit or pay fees under this section or in failure to report under this section. (g)(1)(A) In addition to the premiums and fees allowed under this chapter, each professional bail bond company, sheriff, keeper of the jail, or person authorized to take bail under § 16-84-102 shall charge and collect an additional fee of four dollars ($4.00) per bail bond for every bail bond issued by the professional bail bond company by or through its individual licensees, sheriffs, keepers of the jail, or any persons authorized to take bail under § 16-84-102. (B) The administrative bail bond fee is nonrefundable and shall be deposited into the Bail Bond Recovery Fund. (2) The fees and penalties collected under this subsection by the professional bail bond company, sheriff, keeper of the jail, or a person authorized to take bail under § 16-84-102 shall be forwarded to the board for deposit into the Bail Bond Recovery Fund. (3)(A) The board shall deposit the money collected into the existing account within the Bail Bond Recovery Fund. (B) Use of the funds from the Bail Bond Recovery Fund shall be for professional bail bond forfeitures. (4) The fees collected by the bail bond company, sheriff, keeper of the jail, or a person authorized to take bail under § 16-84-102 required under this subsection shall be reported quarterly and filed with the board. (5) A notarized annual reconciliation of all fees collected in the preceding calendar year shall be filed on forms provided by the board by each professional bail bond company, sheriff, keeper of the jail, or person authorized to take bail under § 16-84-102 by February 15. (6) The board may pursue any appropriate legal remedy for the collection of delinquent fees and penalties owed under this subsection against an entity that has a duty under this subsection to collect the fee. (7) The board shall promulgate rules to suspend, revoke, or take disciplinary action for noncompliance in failure to remit or pay fees under this section or for failure to report under this section. (h) A sheriff, keeper of the jail, and any bail bond company shall collect fees as required under §§ 14-52-111, 17-19-111, 17-19-301, and 21-6-307 and other fees as required by law. (i)(1) Unless specified otherwise under subsection (e) of this section, the moneys collected by each bail bond company under subsection (e) of this section shall be deposited into the State Treasury to the credit of the Public Defender User Fees Fund within the State Central Services Fund. (2)(A) Of the fee collected by each licensed professional bail bond company, three dollars ($3.00) shall be transferred to the various counties for the sole purpose of defraying the operating expenses of the local public defender's office. (B) The remaining moneys collected shall be used to defray operating expenses of the Arkansas Public Defender Commission. (3) On a quarterly basis, the Arkansas Public Defender Commission shall remit to each county its portion of the three dollars ($3.00) per bail bond fee collected based upon the following formula: (A) Seventy five percent (75%) of the bail bond fee collected shall be distributed equally to all seventy-five (75) counties; and (B) The remaining twenty-five percent (25%) of the bail bond fee collected shall be distributed per capita.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-302 Collateral — Receipt required.

When a licensee accepts collateral, he or she shall give a prenumbered written receipt for it, and this receipt shall give in detail a full account of the collateral received. The licensee may perfect his or her lien on the collateral by any procedure available under the Uniform Commercial Code, § 4-1-101 et seq., or any other procedure provided for by law.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-303 Bail bonds — Numbers — Report.

(a) Bail bonds shall be written on numbered forms. (b) The Professional Bail Bond Company and Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board shall assign numbers for forms to professional bail bond companies and shall prescribe the method of affixing the numbers to the forms. (c)(1) Each professional bail bond company shall file a bail bond report quarterly with the board. (2) The report shall include the following information on each bail bond: (A) The assigned number of the bond and current status of the bond, whether pending disposition or exonerated; (B) To whom the bond was written; (C) The date the bail bond was written; (D) The defendant and the charges against the defendant; (E) The court; (F) The amount of the bail bond; and (G) The portion of the bail bond that is secured and the unsecured portion.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-305 Appearance bond.

Upon issuance of the license, a professional bail bondsman shall not issue an appearance bond exceeding the monetary amount for each recognizance which is specified in and authorized by the power of attorney filed with the Professional Bail Bond Company and Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board until the board receives a duly executed power of attorney from the professional bail bond company evidencing or authorizing increased monetary limits or amounts for the recognizance.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-306 Posting of bondsmen list.

(a)(1) The chief law enforcement officers of any facilities having individuals or prisoners in their custody shall post in plain view in the facility housing those individuals or prisoners a list of registered bonding companies. (2) The list shall be prepared by the Professional Bail Bond Company and Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board and shall contain the names of the professional bail bond companies that are registered with the board for the purpose of being included on the list. (3) This registration is for the purpose of being on the phone list in each county only. (4)(A) Once a professional bail bond company has registered to be on the phone list, it shall not be necessary for it to register each year. (B) The company shall keep its place on the list from year to year unless the company's license has been revoked, canceled, or not renewed. (5) The list shall be posted in each municipality of the county. (b)(1)(A) Professional bail bond companies shall be included on the list in the order in which they were initially registered with the circuit clerk pursuant to this chapter. (B) However, a company with a revoked, canceled, or nonrenewed license shall be removed from the list. (2)(A) On or before January 1, 2008, the circuit clerk of each county shall certify the list as it exists on the date of certification and forward the certified list to the board. (B) After January 1, 2008, the board shall maintain the list and be responsible for registrations. (3)(A) The order of the company names shall not change from year to year. (B) However, a company with a revoked, canceled, or nonrenewed license shall be removed from the list. (c) The list shall be prepared by the board pursuant to the following specifications: (1) The list shall contain three (3) columns that shall be headed as follows: (A) Bail bond company; (B) Local address; and (C) Telephone number; (2) Each column shall contain the following information: (A) Bail Bond Company. The professional bail bond company name and code number shall be typed in the first column on the left-hand side of the page, with the home office address, city, state, zip code, and home office telephone numbers directly under the company name in the same column. No more than two (2) telephone numbers shall be listed for each company; (B) Local Address. The second column shall contain one (1) address for each bail bond company; and (C) Telephone Number. The third column shall contain no more than two (2) telephone numbers per company, to be typed directly across the page from the local address, which appears in the second column; and (3) A solid line shall be placed between the end of the listing of one company and the beginning of the listing of the next company so that each company is clearly identified. (d) The list shall be prepared by the board in the format of the following example: EXAMPLE LOCAL BAIL BOND COMPANY ADDRESS TELEPHONE # 1. Company Name # AZ 555-0000 Home Office Address 1-800-666-0000 City, State, Zip Home Office Phone Number(s) (2) 2. Company Name # ZA Home Office Address City, State, Zip Home Office Phone Number(s) (2) 3. Company Name # DX Home Office Address City, State, Zip Home Office Phone Number(s) (2) Click to view table.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-401 Requirements.

(a) Each person licensed as a professional bail bondsman shall annually complete not less than six (6) hours of continuing education in subjects relating to the authority and responsibilities of a bail bondsman as a condition of renewing his or her license. (b) The continuing education shall not include written or oral examinations.

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-19-402 Establishment of program — Schedule of fees.

(a)(1) The Professional Bail Bond Company and Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board on an annual basis shall solicit proposals from education providers. (2) Upon review of the proposals, the board shall designate an entity or entities to establish an educational program for professional bail bondsmen that will enable bail bondsmen to meet the prelicense and continuing education requirements of § 17-19-212 and this subchapter. (b) The board shall establish a schedule of set fees to be paid by each bail bondsman for the educational training.

Source: Public.Resource.Org / UniCourt, Official Code of Arkansas Annotated, Release 78 (2020) (unicourt.github.io/cic-code-ar)URL: https://unicourt.github.io/cic-code-ar/transforms/ar/ocar/r78/gov.ar.code.title.17.htmlFetched: 11/8/2026