Texas does not ban the practice of bounty hunting in the state, but it also does not recognize the occupational title of “bounty hunter.” Instead, individuals wishing to apprehend bail skippers must be licensed as a private investigator or commissioned security officer. They also must be working under a licensed agency, even if they are its sole employee.
You can get your private investigator or commissioned security officer license and operate as bounty hunter by meeting the following requirements:
Basic State Requirements
- Education: None for investigators; commissioned security officers must pass a Level III training course taught by a licensed Level III instructor
- Age: 18
- Degree: None required for non-managers
- Experience: None required for non-managers
- Citizenship: Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S
Additional Requirements
No one may operate as a licensed private investigator or commissioned security officer unless they pass the “manager” requirements as described in Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1702 or they are approved by an agency with a licensed manager on staff.
Manager requirements include:
- Three consecutive years of experience in investigations or related fields
- A criminal justice bachelor’s degree or any bachelor’s degree accompanied by six months of investigations experience OR
- An associate’s degree in criminal justice or a similar field along with twelve months of investigations experience or a specialized course of study that meets the minimum established qualifications
- All investigations or security agencies must have proof of liability insurance and a surety bond in place
Note that you do not have to be a manager to qualify for a license as a private investigator or commissioned security officer as long as you have a qualified manager endorsing you to work in their agency.
To be eligible for endorsement by a licensed manager, the applicant must NOT have:
- Convictions for the following offenses:
- Felonies
- Class A misdemeanors
- Class B misdemeanors within the past 5 years
- Current charges or indictments for a Class A misdemeanor or felony
- Current charges for a Class B demeanor
- A listing under a sex offender registry in Texas or any other state
- Been declared “incompetent” because of a mental defect by a court
- Been dishonorably discharged from the U.S. armed services or discharged as a commissioned officer of the U.S. armed services
Texas Bounty Hunter License
- Private Investigator or Commissioned Security Officer License Application: To apply for licensure as a non-manager private investigator or commissioned security officer, you must submit to an FBI background check ($25 fee) and complete the private security license application found on the Texas Department of Public Safety website. Private investigators must meet the minimum requirements above, while commissioned security officers must also pass a Level III training examination.
- Licensure: Upon successfully completing your application, you will granted a license to operate under your designated supervising agency run by a qualified manager. Your license expires two years from the date of issue.
