NOTICE OF EMERGENCY (120-DAY) RULE
1. Agency Information
Commerce, Professional Licensing
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6741
2. Contact Persons
Please address questions regarding information on this notice to the persons listed above.
3. General Information
A. Rule or section catchline:
R156-93. Bail Bond Licensing Act Rule
B. Purpose of the new rule or reason for the change:
The Division of Professional Licensing (Division) is filing this proposed new rule in accordance with statutory changes made by SB 149 during 2026 General Session that moved the administration of bail bond licensing from the Department of Public Safety to the Division.
New Title 58, Chapter 93, Bail Bond Licensing Act, governs all bail enforcement professional licenses, defined under Subsection 58-93-101(3).
The Division is filing this emergency rule because Division does not have enough time to follow the traditional rule approval process to enact this rule on 09/01/2026, when administration of these professions will be transferred from the Department of Public Safety to the Division.
The Division is filing this emergency proposed new rule to temporarily enact licensure requirements and will file a second rule filing following the traditional rule approval process that will permanently enact substantially similar requirements.
C. Summary of the new rule or change:
This filing enacts proposed new Rule R156-93, Bail Bond Licensing Act Rule, under new Title 58, Chapter 93, Bail Bond Licensing Act.
This proposed new rule will enable the Division to administer this license as mandated by statute.
The proposed new rule establishes definitions, renewal procedures, qualifications for licensure including an exam requirement for private investigator agents, continuing education requirements, operating standards, and unprofessional conduct.
4. Legislative Action Information
A. Are any changes in this filing because of state legislative action?
Changes are because of legislative action.
B. If yes, any bill number and session:
SB 149 (2026 General Session)
5. Emergency Rule Information
A. The agency finds that regular rulemaking would:
cause an imminent peril to the public health, safety, or welfare;
cause an imminent budget reduction because of budget restraints or federal requirements; or
place the agency in violation of federal or state law.
B. Specific reasons and justifications for this finding:
The Division is filing this emergency proposed new rule to ensure continued administration over the licensing of bail enforcement professionals.
Subsection 58-1-106(1)(a)
Subsection 58-1-202(1)(a)
9. Agency Authorization Information
Agency head or
designee and title:
Adam Watson, Assistant Division
Director
R156. Commerce, Professional Licensing.
R156-93. General Rule of the Division of Professional Licensing. R156-93-101. Title - Authority - Organization of Rules -- Statement of Purpose and Conflicts. (1) This rule is known as the "Bail Bond Licensing Act Rule". (2) This rule is adopted by the Division under the authority of Subsection 58-1-106(1)(a) to enable the Division to administer Title 58, Chapter 93, the Bail Bond Licensing Act. (3) The organization of this rule and its relationship to Rule R156-1 is described in Section R156-1-107. (4) The Division finds that the purpose of this rule, Title 58, Chapter 93, the Bail Bond Licensing Act, and the portions of SB 149 (2026 General Session), Licensing Modifications, that deal with bail enforcement professionals is: (a) To regulate the professions of bail enforcement professionals regulated under Title 53, Chapter 11, the Bail Bond Recovery Act prior to September 1, 2026; and (b) to neither override nor replace Title 31A, Chapter 35, the Bail Bond Act except where expressly stated. (c) any interpretation of this rule or Title 58, Chapter 93, the Bail Bond Licensing Act that contradicts the requirements of Title 31A, Chapter 35, the Bail Bond Act, or any rule made to enforce Title 31A, Chapter 35, the Bail Bond Act, shall be interpreted in favor of Title 31A, Chapter 35, the Bail Bond Act. R156-93-102. Definitions. This section establishes definitions to supplement the definitions in Title 58, Chapter 1, Division of Professional Licensing Act, and Title 58, Chapter 93. (1) "Applicant" unless otherwise specified, shall mean an applicant for a license under Title 58, Chapter 93, the Bail Enforcement Professional Licensing Act including an applicant for an initial license, renewal of a license, and reinstatement of a license. (2) "Approved basic firearms training program" means a firearms education and training program that: (a) meets the standards for content and instruction under Section R156-93-306b; and (b) is approved by the Division as either (i) An approved basic firearms course for Bail Enforcement Professionals, or (ii) an approved basic firearms training program for armed private security officers under Section R156-63a-604. (3) "Restricted Terms" shall mean any word, term, or phrase that, regardless of intent, is reasonably likely to suggest that a bail enforcement professional is a member of any official state or federal law enforcement agency including: (b) "United States", "US", "USA", or "Federal"; (d) "Patrolman" or "Patrol Officer"; (i) If used conjunction with "bail enforcement agent" or "bail recovery agent"; and (ii) The words "bail enforcement agent" or "bail recovery agent" appears on the same line. (4) "Supervision Declaration" shall mean a written declaration by a Bail Enforcement Agent or a Bail Recovery Agent when training a Bail Recovery Apprentice that includes: (a) State the name and license number of the Bail Enforcement Agent or Bail Recovery Agent; (b) the name and contact information of the Bail Recovery Apprentice; (c) a declaration the supervising agent has reviewed the supervision requirements in Section R156-93-305(2). R156-93-301. Term of License - Expiration of License - Renewal of License - Reinstatement of License - Application Procedures. This section establishes the term of licensure for licenses issued under Title 58 Chapter 93, under Section 58-1-102. (1) Under Subsections 58-1-308(1) and 58-93-201(6), the renewal date for the two-year renewal cycle applicable to licensees under Title 58, Chapter 92, Private Investigation Licensing Act, shall be in August of each odd-numbered year; (2) Renewal procedures shall be in accordance with Sections R156-1-308a through R156-1-308l. (3) All valid and current licenses described under Section 58-93-312 issued prior to September 1, 2026 under Title 53, Chapter 11, the Bail Bond Recovery Act: (a) shall expire on the date shown on the license; and (b) a licensee with a license issued under Title 53, Chapter 11, the Bail Bond Recovery Act, shall relicense under Title 58, Chapter 1, Division of Professional Licensing Act, Title 58, Chapter 93 Bail Bond Licensing Act, and this rule. (4) Under Subsection 58-1-308(3)(b)(i) a licensee under Title 58, Chapter 93 Bail Bond Licensing Act applying for renewal shall: (a) meet the CE requirements under Section 58-93-306 and Subsection R156-93-306a(4); and (b) submit to the Division: (i) a Division-approved renewal form; (ii) A renewal application fee; (ii) a photograph meeting the standards described in Subsection R156-93-302(1)(d);