Certificated Enforcement Agent

Become a Certificate Enforcement Agent, previously called a Certificated Bailiff.

Your questions answered

Read answers to common questions asked about becoming a certificated enforcement agent, previously called a Certificated Bailiff.

How much does the course cost?

The training course costs £504

How much can I earn?

Average earnings £700-750 per week: about £39,000 a year.

Earnings as a Certificated Enforcement Agent are always dependent upon geographical location, types of work undertaken and how good you are at the job.

How do I become a CEA?

To become a Certificated Enforcement Agent you must hold a certificate from the County Court.

• You complete a training course **
• Take and pass an examination Level 2 Proof of a qualification obtained in Taking Control of Goods to Level 2 or equivalent (recognised by a national awarding body).
• An application to the court must be completed with two passport size photographs and pay the court fee.
• Provide proof of no criminal record Data Baring Service check (previously called a CRB). **
• Provide proof of no CCJs or bankruptcy, IVA etc. **
• Provide two professional references from experienced and qualified persons in evidence of knowledge and character. **
• Provide the court with the correct paperwork you intend to use.
• Obtain and supply an insurance bond. **
• Be interviewed by a district Judge to whom you must provide proof as to your knowledge and experience of:
  • the Taking Control of Goods process
  • the national standard
  • the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act
  • the Enforcement regulations and other Enforcement Agent Rules and Procedures
  The Judge then grants your certificate for two years.

** As part of the course, we provide and assist you in obtaining these items.

Where will I get work?

We recruit for a number of large Enforcement Agencies and often have vacancies for Certificated Enforcement Agents (Bailiffs) in most areas of the country. This is usually on a self-employed basis though occasionally we have vacancies for employed staff.

We will also give you information on where to get your own work.

Can I get training and certification with an employer?

Can I just look for a job as a Certificated Enforcement Agent (Bailiff) and get training and certification with my employer?

Anything is possible, however, most of the enforcement agencies are looking for currently certificated people to start work straight away.

Very few employers offer positions for trainees. And where this is the case, as you can imagine, there are 100’s of applicants for very limited vacancies.

Think about it like this: If you wanted to be a HGV driver you would need to get your HGV licence first, and then apply for a job. If you tried to get a trainee HGV driver job, it would be nearly impossible to find one. Companies are reluctant to invest in expensive training costs where the member of staff can walk away after completing the training and gaining the certification from the court.

Who can be a CEA?

Anyone from any background. It does not matter what sex, race, size or age (you must be over 18).

Certificated Enforcement Agents come from a wide variety of different backgrounds. Some are ex-Police or ex-Forces, but the vast majority are just ordinary people who wanted to do something interesting. We deal with ex-teachers, ex-lorry drivers, ex-sales staff and ex-financial services staff.

You need the ability and confidence to communicate professionally with people of all levels.

Training Course

New regulations introduced under the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act require all Enforcement Agents to hold a level 2 or higher qualification.

Successful course attendees will learn the knowledge to be able to pass the exam which will meet the requirement.

As a general rule a level 2 qualification should have 40 guided learning hours and only about 16 hours of this would be done in a classroom. The other 24 hours should be made up of pre reading, revision and where possible practical experience.

This course involves some pre reading to gain prior learning before attending the classroom based part of the course. There are reading materials for revision based learning hours.

We are often able to provide some practical training shadowing an existing experienced Certificated Enforcement Agent, at an extra cost. Please speak to your course tutor after the course.

Training Location

The course is run in Bromsgrove B61.

Course Content

The course covers six learning outcomes:

• Understand the role of enforcement agents within the enforcement profession
  Including structure, functions of the role, terminology used, liaising with the other services including the Police, how and what fees are charged, and handling payments.
• Understand the law relevant to enforcement agents
  Including understanding the powers and duties placed by Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007, the Data Protection Act, Human Rights Act, the statutes that govern using Enforcement Agents including Magistrates Court Act, Traffic Management Act.
• Understand the practice of taking control of goods
  How to take goods into control, exempt goods, rights of entry and re entry, third party ownership and disputes, documentation that needs to be used.
• Understand the practice of removal and sale of goods
  Process for removal of controlled goods, documentation to be completed for this process, methods of sale, implications of sale for all concerned.
• Understand relevant aspects of customer care
  How to give good customer care, requirements of the National Standards, recognising and dealing with vulnerable people, dealing with complaints, times and hours of visits.
• Understand how to manage conflict situations
  How to recognise conflict, how to diffuse conflict situations and how to reduce risks with conflict.

The course also covers:

• Certificate application process
• Obtaining a Data Baring Service check
• Obtaining a County Court Judgment certificate
• Preparing copies of forms you intend to use
• How to obtain an Enforcement Agents Bond
• Where to get work

This is a TWO day course to prepare you for the Level 2 qualification examination.

Cost £504 (including vat) per person

The course cost does NOT include accommodation at the training venue.

The course cost does NOT include the cost of the examination. You have to book the examination directly with the Institute of Credit Management. Please contact us for further information.

Courses generally run 6 times a year.

Next Courses

Please email training@findabailiff.com for latest dates.

What is the total cost to become a Certificated Enforcement Agent?

The total cost to become a Certificate Enforcement Agent is around £1466 for two years.

This consists of:

This 2 day training course £504 paid directly to us. Plus following external costs (subject to change as provided by third parties).

Item	£ cost
Institute of Credit Management registration fee	168
Institute of Credit Management exam fee	126
County Court application fee	365
Disclosure & Barring Service disclosure fee	18
County Court Judgment search fee per address	10
Certificated Enforcement Agent bond	275

Costs shown are an estimate and inclusive of vat where applicable. They do not include cost of travelling and accommodation when required for the training course and the exam.

There are also on-going costs for the renewing of your certificate and bond.

Where do I take the exam?

We recommend taking the qualification through the Institute of Credit Management.

The ICM Level 2 Award in Taking Control of Goods is Ofqual accredited and approved by the Ministry of Justice and Skills for Security to meet the certification requirements for enforcement agents.

ICM use Pearson VUE to provide the examination centres, or it can be done on-line. Assessment is by computer-based multiple-choice exams held in centres in most towns and cities throughout the UK.

You can find more information at

Institute of Credit Management website.

Why take this course?

ICM offer an on-line learning package, so why take this course?

On-line learning is one-way. You read the materials.

But what about when you have a question? Do not understand something?

On the training course we will explain the material to you and answer any questions you may have. It is two-way learning.

The course also covers material not covered by the on-line learning:

• Certificate application process
• Obtaining a Data Baring Service check
• Obtaining a County Court Judgment certificate
• Preparing copies of forms you intend to use
• How to obtain an Enforcement Agents Bond
• Where to get work

If your still not convinced think of it this way.

If you wanted to learn to play football would you buy a book / take an online course, or take a few lessons with Mrs Jones the local sports teacher? Or would you prefer to take tuition from David Beckham or Ashley Cole?

Andy and Karl have a lifetime of experience in all the leagues of the bailiff industry, including time at board room level in the large enforcement companies. They are not just some trainers that have knocked a few doors. You are getting a trainer with significant experience, knowledge and contacts who still work in the industry and know the etiquette.

Book on the course

Course leaders

The course is generally delivered by Andy Coates or Karl Smith.

• We have built up or worked for large Enforcement companies over the last 25+ years. We have contacts within the industry, and we are very well known in the industry.
• We run the largest bailiff Facebook site with over 500 members. We are able to provide job and business opportunities for our candidates once they gain their certificate.
• We are also often able to get work placements or trial days with Enforcement Agents in the field (subject to availability, vetting and NDA) which helps you get that job or gain more experience.
• We can also help with setting up your own business, marketing, tendering or any aspect of enforcement.

Andy Coates

Andy Coates has been in the Enforcement and Investigation business since 1988. He has worked as a bailiff and an investigator and also as a manager and director. He has considerable experience of enforcement and investigation work.

Andy is an Authorised High Court Enforcement Officer and has a level 4 Diploma in High Court Enforcement.

Andy passed the examination of The Enforcement Services Association (ESA) and the entrance examination of The Association of British Investigators (ABI). He has the mix of both operational and managerial experience and skills.

In his career his managerial positions have included the Enforcement Director at JBW Group, a Director of the Association of British Investigators, CEO at National Enforcement Services, Enforcement Manager at Drakes Group (now Marston Group), and Operations Director at DAC Bailiffs (now part of Marston Group).

Andy’s Bailiff experience includes every debt type from Commercial Rent and Arrest to High Court Writs.

Andy is a former council member of the Civil Enforcement Association (CIVEA), and a former Governing Council member of the Association of British Investigators (ABI).

Karl Smith

Karl Smith has over 20 years experience in the Enforcement industry in the private sector and the local authority sector.

Karl gained an in depth knowledge of enforcement practices when working in the local authority sector, and gained board level experience within the private sector developing and implementing enforcement departments collecting all types of debt.

In his varied career his previous positions include Bailiff Manager, General Manager, Commercial Director, and CEO. He is currently a consultant to the enforcement industry.

Karl is a Member of the Institute of Directors, and a former member of the Executive Committee of the Civil Enforcement Association (CIVEA). He is one of the founding members of the Certificated Enforcement Agents Association.

His wide experience was put to good use when he served on a committee working in conjunction with the Ministry of Justice developing standards for enforcement officers, and as a member of the expert working group developing the National Occupational Standards for Enforcement Officers.