North Carolina General Statute § 58-71-75was amended effective July 22, 2016 when the Governor signed S. B. 508 to decrease bail bond license renewals to once every even year and fingerprint background checks to every other even year (every four years). Also with the passage of S.B. 508, the annual license fee was doubled for the biennial license renewal. The next bail bond renewal will be due 6/30/2022 and next bail bond renewal with fingerprint submission and proof of residency will be due 6/30/2024.

Bail bondsmen and runners continue to have an annual continuing education requirement of three (3) hours pursuant to North Carolina G.S. § 58-71-71(b). If a bondsman does not meet this requirement their license(s) will lapse due to their failure to satisfy the annual continuing education requirement. Submission of the required renewal documentation and fees on the even numbered renewal years will not prevent their license(s) from lapsing if the annual continuing requirement is not met.

In even numbered years, bail bondsmen and runners must complete a renewal application, pay the license renewal fee, and complete the required continuing education, pursuant to North Carolina G.S. 58-71-75. All renewal requirements must be completed by June 30 or the bail bond license(s) will lapse. Every other even year bondsmen are also required to submit fingerprints and 2 forms of proof of residency.

After review of the required renewal documents, the Department may make subsequent inquiries or may proceed with administrative action to ensure that the bondsman or runner continues to qualify to operate in NC pursuant to Article 71, of Chapter 58 of the North Carolina General Statutes.

Pearson VUE will provide license renewal administrative services to bail bondsmen and bail bond runners through National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) .

NIPR has provided an electronic renewal application for bondsmen and bail bond runners to complete online and submit all required fees by credit/debit card.

It is important that bondsmen keep their business e-mail current. The Bail Bond Regulatory Division will send license renewal notification and instructions to bondsmen and bail bond runners through the business e-mail address on the license record. The renewal e-mail notifications with the bail bond licensee’s name, will contain a link to the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) to access the electronic bail bond renewal application.

Once a bondsman receives the renewal authorization e-mail, they can access National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) to complete the application process.