Arkansas Administrative Code Agency 164 - Professional Bail Bond Company and Bail Bondsman Licensing Board
Here’s a comprehensive overview of Agency 164 – Professional Bail Bond Company and Bail Bondsman Licensing Board under the Arkansas Administrative Code:
⚖️ Overview
Agency 164 regulates bail bond companies and individual bondsmen in Arkansas under Ark. Code Ann. § 17‑19‑101 et seq., created by Act 417 of 1989 and later Act 500 of 1993, transferring regulation from the Insurance Department to this Board (sos.arkansas.gov).
Governed by a set of rules and regulations, including:
164.00.05-001 (Regulation of Bail Bond Business)
164.00.05-002 (Education Program)
164.00.07-001 and 164.00.19-001 (additional business rules) (arkleg.state.ar.us, regulations.justia.com, law.cornell.edu).
🛡 Board Composition & Authority
The Board issues licenses, oversees exams, enforces education requirements, renews licenses, investigates complaints, conducts disciplinary hearings, and performs audits (labor.arkansas.gov).
Empowered under Ark. Code §§ 25‑15‑201 and 17‑19‑106 to implement rules for licensing and practice (regulations.justia.com).
📋 Rule 164.00.05‑001 – Regulation of Bail Bond Business
Effective: Rules currently updated through March 2025; initial rule adopted October 1, 2005 (regulations.justia.com).
Definitions: Clarifies terms such as “Company,” “Bail bondsman,” “Premium,” “Arrestee,” “Stacking,” “Direct Supervision,” etc. (regulations.justia.com).
Bond & Form Requirements: Bonds must use state-mandated forms (Appendices A–D), include sequential numbering, power-of-attorney, affidavit for sole proprietors, and a Statement of Bail & Payment (regulations.justia.com).
Power-of-Attorney: Qualifying Power-of-Attorney (QPOA) forms must be filed and maintained; increases require Board approval before higher bonds are written; no stacking of power-of-attorney (arkleg.state.ar.us).
Company Codes: Each licensed company receives a unique alpha ID, with consecutive numeric codes for each agent (sos.arkansas.gov).
🍎 Education & Licensing Requirements
Rule 164.00.05‑002 governs initial and continuing education:
Beginning education required pre-license.
Continuing education is mandatory post-license.
Courses are reviewed by a 3-person committee (including Board representation) and must be approved by the State Board of Private Career Education (sos.arkansas.gov, dupagecourts.gov).
🛠 Board Operations & Enforcement
The Executive Director oversees daily operations; staff includes an investigator and administrative assistant. The Board meets regularly, monitors education compliance, investigates complaints, and enacts disciplinary measures or fines (arkleg.state.ar.us).
Annual audits of companies ensure compliance with record-keeping and reporting mandates (arkleg.state.ar.us).
📅 Updates & Accessibility
Rules are regularly updated — current through Register Vol. 50, No. 3 (Mar 2025) (regulations.justia.com).
The Board’s statutes, rules, forms, meeting minutes, exam schedules, and licensee directory are available via the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing website (labor.arkansas.gov).
✅ Summary Table
Aspect
Details
Authority
Ark. Code § 17‑19‑101 et seq.; Acts 417 (1989) & 500 (1993)
Key Rules
164.00.05‑001 (Business), 164.00.05‑002 (Education), plus 07‑001, 19‑001
Licensing
Companies and bondsmen must comply with form, bonding, exam, and education rules
Forms
Appendices A–D: bond, QPOA, sole-prop affidavit, payment statement
Education
Initial and continuing credits; approved by SBPCE
Enforcement
Complaints, investigations, hearings, fines, audits
Updates
Current through Mar 2025; Board info on DOL site
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