Can a bondsman have a felony conviction?

• A. No
• B. Yes if unrelated to occupation
• C. Yes if substantially relates
• D. Yes if not substantially relate and no public safety threat

Answer: (D)

A bondsman’s eligibility isn't an absolute ban on any felony. Licensing decisions focus on fitness for the job: is the offense substantially related to the duties of handling bail bonds, and does it indicate a risk to the public? If the felony offense is not substantially related to the work and there is no threat to public safety, the board can still grant licensure or allow continued practice. This recognizes that some offenses may not affect trustworthiness in bail bonding, especially if enough time has passed and there’s evidence of rehabilitation.

So, a felony conviction can be compatible with licensing if it isn’t substantially related to the job and doesn’t pose a public safety risk. Offenses that involve dishonesty, fraud, or directly mirror duties of the job are typically viewed as substantially related and more likely to disqualify.