WAC 308-19-107. Responsibilities of the qualified agent

The qualified agent shall be responsible for all transactions, recordkeeping, and the employees of each office they are licensed as the qualified agent.

Under 18.185.010(5), a qualified agent is "an owner, sole proprietor, partner, manager, officer, or chief operating officer of a corporation who meets the requirements set forth in this chapter for obtaining a bail bond agency license." The qualified agent essentially serves as "manager" of the bail bond agency, and is responsible for all bail bond transactions conducted by the bail bond agents employed by the agency. See RCW 18.185.100 (qualified agent shall keep required records and ensure safekeeping of collateral or security); RCW 18.185.220 (every branch office must have a qualified agent serving as manager);

Each branch office must be managed by a qualified agent. A qualified agent may serve as a qualified agent of multiple offices. Although the qualified agent remains ultimately responsible for bail bond transactions, a qualified agent is permitted to delegate managerial functions to licensed bail bond agents. However, a qualified agent may not delegate managerial or supervisory functions to unlicensed staff because such functions necessarily involve participation in the sale or issuance of bail bonds.

Allowing unlicensed staff to participate in the sale or issuance of bail bonds could lead to charges of aiding or abetting unlicensed activity in violation of RCW 18.185.110 (10) and 18.235.130 (9).

Any agency going out of business in the state of Washington shall continue to be obligated on all outstanding bonds until the director receives notification from the jurisdiction in which the agency/branch offices are located that all bonds have been exonerated and the department of licensing has received no complaints from indemnitor about the return of collateral. The director may require an audit of the closing agency at any time upon notification of the closing of the agency.