West Virginia Code
Article 10. Professional Bondsmen in Criminal Cases
§51-10-1. Definitions

When used in this article:
(1) "Bonding business" means the business of becoming surety for compensation upon bonds in criminal cases in the State of West Virginia;
(2) "Bondsman" means (A) any person engaged in the bonding business that has satisfied the requirements for, and is duly licensed as, an insurance producer with a property and casualty line of authority as set forth by the Insurance Commissioner and 33-12-1, et seq. of this code; or (B) any person who is approved and licensed under the provisions of this article who pledges cash or approved securities with the commissioner as security for bail bonds written in connection with a judicial proceeding and receives or is promised money or other things of value for the pledge;
(3) "Commissioner" means the Insurance Commissioner of West Virginia, as defined in 33-1-5 of this code; and
(4) "Insurer" means any domestic, foreign, or alien person, including a surety company, which has been qualified generally to transact surety business in the State of West Virginia.