Vermont Bounty Hunter Guide: Requirements and Steps
Vermont is home to approximately 645,000 people.1 Vermont does not require bounty hunters to become licensed in order to work in the state. However, as Vermont is one of the smallest states by population as well as area, bounty hunters in Vermont may also work in neighboring states where licenses may be required. As a bounty hunter, your job will be to recover arrested individuals who do not appear for their required court dates. You may also work as a skip tracer to first locate fugitives before you can apprehend them. For either of these positions, you will be employed by a licensed bail bond agency that posts bail on behalf of individuals with the assumption they will appear and repay the bond, and will need authorization from the bail bond agency and the appropriate court to apprehend a fugitive. Read on to find out more.
Table of Contents
- Bounty Hunter Requirements
- Steps to a Career
- Related Careers
- Training and Education Options
- Finding Work
- Salary and Job Outlook
- Bounty Hunter Resources
Requirements for Prospective Bounty Hunters in Vermont
It is not necessary to complete any formal training to become a bounty hunter or skip tracer in Vermont; however, you need to be at least 18 years old and have no felony convictions. You also need to follow the correct processes by obtaining court approval before you can legally apprehend a fugitive.
Steps to a Career as a Bounty Hunter in Vermont
Although a license or formal training is not required, you may want to consider relevant education, training, or mentoring before you attempt to begin a career as a bounty hunter in Vermont. Here are our recommended steps to help you become successful in this field of work.
1. Complete relevant training.
In Vermont, you can complete hands-on police academy training without registering as a police officer, which can teach you how to safely and legally track and apprehend individuals. You may also want to consider a two- or four-year degree in criminal justice, which will give you foundational knowledge about legal systems, criminal behaviors, and forensics.
2. Find a mentor.
Rather than attempting to locate or apprehend a fugitive on your own as a new agent, you might consider working with an experienced bounty hunter during the early stages of your career. Experienced mentors can help you learn hands-on techniques faster and help you build your credibility and reputation in the industry. Additionally, you will need to locate fugitives through skip tracing methods before you can receive permission to apprehend them. You may want to start your career by working exclusively in the skip tracing business and transition to working as a bounty hunter once you are familiar and comfortable with the procedures of the profession.
3. Begin working as a skip tracer or bounty hunter.
Once you have the skills and knowledge needed to perform bounty hunting work, you must be hired either as an employee or a contractor for a licensed bail bond agency. Below you will find a listing of bail bond agents that may help you find work in the state. Your mentor may be another good resource for networking your way into available jobs.
Related Careers
The skills used in bounty hunting are also applicable to other fugitive recovery jobs. You may want to consider other job opportunities because of the intermittent nature of jobs in the fugitive recovery field. In addition to bounty hunting and skip tracing, you may also be interested in private investigation and process serving. Read more about these options below.
Private Investigator/Private Detective
Private investigators and detectives search for information related to criminal and civil court proceedings. To become a private investigator in Vermont, you must either work with an experienced investigator for two years or have two years of policing experience. You will then need to pass the State of Vermont Private Investigators Licensing exam. The license application must be completed online and submitted with the proper application fee. Fees vary based on whether you plan to have employees and if you or your employees will carry firearms on the job.
Process Server
Process servers deliver documents to individuals involved in open court cases. You don’t need a license for this profession in Vermont and can either work for the court or for a third-party organization. For more information and employment opportunities, contact your local county office.
Training and Education Options in Vermont
Although not required, it may be a good idea to take some law enforcement or criminal justice training before beginning your career. You will need to have a good understanding of the legal and court systems because you will need to obtain arrest warrants from different types of courts and judges throughout your career. Completing relevant training programs can help you better understand the legal system and safely locate and apprehend fugitives. In Vermont, it is possible to take police academy training without being employed as a police officer. There are also many colleges and universities offering two- and four-year criminal justice programs for more in-depth education. Here are a few options.
Northern Vermont University
337 College Hill
Johnson, VT 05656
https://www.northernvermont.edu/degree-programs/criminal-justice/
Southern Vermont College
982 Mansion Dr
Bennington, VT 05201
https://svc.edu/academics/criminal-justice
Vermont Police Academy Certification and Training Program
317 Academy Rd
Pittsford, VT 05763
https://vcjtc.vermont.gov/training
Finding Work
Because you need to work with bail bond agencies to obtain permission to arrest fugitives in Vermont, you will likely meet many experienced bounty hunters on the job. Working with experienced bounty hunters and skip tracers can help you learn on-the-job skills faster and more effectively than working alone. You might want to consider asking an experienced bounty hunter to mentor you when you are starting your career. To find experienced bail bonds agencies and bounty hunters, consult local directories and associations in your area.
Featured Bail Agents in Vermont
According to Professional Bail Agents of the United States (PBUS), there are no member bail agents in Vermont. However, you can use the list below as a starting point for your employment search. You can also consult search engines or local employment resources to find more.
Advantage Bail Bonds
2002 Williston Rd
Burlington, VT 05403
http://advantagebailbondsvt.com
Eastern Bail Bonds
123 S Main St
Stowe, VT 05672
https://www.easternbailbonds.com/vermont-bail-bonds/
Paris the Bondsman
https://paristhebondsman.com/
Bounty Hunter Salary and Outlook in Vermont
There are no statistics about bounty hunting salary or career outlook provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Instead, we use the data on detectives and criminal investigators as a proxy because they are similar; however, these statistics represent public sector jobs and wages, which may differ from private sector opportunities. In 2021, there were 190 individuals employed as detectives and criminal investigators in Vermont, earning an average salary of $93,340.2 In 2021, the national average for this profession was $90,370.3 This field is expected to grow by 4.8% in Vermont through 2030, based on an estimated 10 new job openings.4
| City or Metropolitan Area | Number Employed2 | Average Annual Salary2 |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington-South Burlington | 70 | $106,690 |
| Northern Vermont Nonmetropolitan Area | 100 | $87,940 |
Additional Resources
Take a look at these state and national groups to find more connections in the fugitive recovery field.
- Vermont Association of Investigative & Security Services (VAISS): A professional development group that organizes networking and training opportunities.
- National Association of Fugitive Recovery Agents (NAFRA): A national organization advocating for and connecting bounty hunters across the country.
References:
1. US Census Bureau Quick Facts, Vermont: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/VT/PST045221
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2021 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Vermont: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_vt.htm
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2021, Detectives and Criminal Investigators: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333021.htm
4. Projections Central, Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm