The steps a person has to take to become a recovery agent depend on the type of recovery agent he wants to become. A person may want to become a recovery agent who handles repossessions, a job that often just requires a high school diploma or its equivalent. An individual may, however, choose to become a bail or fugitive recovery agent instead, a job that usually requires a person to secure licensing. Training is recommended for both of these jobs, but some jurisdictions may have specific training requirements for those who want to work as recovery agents. Additionally, a person who wants to become a recovery agent often has to submit to a background check and be free of felony convictions.
Often, the term recovery agent is used to refer to a person who handles repossessions. This means he works with companies that want to regain control of assets they own after a person defaults on a loan. For example, recovery agents often work with car loan companies. Once a borrower defaults on his car loan payments, the recovery agent's job is to repossess the vehicle. In some cases, recovery agents repossess boats, motor homes, and other assets as well.
Generally, a person who wants to become a recovery agent and work in repossessions needs a high school diploma, or its equivalent, to do so. This educational requirement may only apply if he wants to work for a company, however; if he plans to work as an independent contractor, a person won't usually need a high school diploma to become a recovery agent. While there are some places in which a recovery agent might need a license, many jurisdictions do not require licensing. An aspiring recovery agent may benefit from training, however, and in some places, it may be required. Training can take the form of a course or program, shadowing an established agent, or working for a recovery agency that offers training.
A bail recovery agent is a person who goes after people who were released on bail and then failed to show up in court. This person usually works on behalf of a bail bondsman or bonding agency that assisted a criminal with getting out of jail. If the criminal fails to show up in court, the bail bondsman stands to lose money. As such, he may hire a bail recovery agent to track the fugitive down and bring him back to face justice. In return for his services, a bail recovery agent receives monetary compensation.
The steps a person has to take to become a recovery agent who tracks down fugitives depends on where a person lives. Typically, however, a person who wants to pursue this career will need training and licensing. There are bail recovery agent schools in which a person may enroll in pursuit of this job, but some jurisdictions have their own training programs that candidates must complete. In places in which bail recovery agents are permitted to carry guns, firearms training may be necessary as well.
