Date Published: August 25, 2021
The Debt Collection Licensing Act (Fin. Code § 100000 et seq.) (DCLA), which is operative starting on January 1, 2022, requires any person engaging in the business of debt collection in California
will need a California Debt Collector License, issued by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI). (Fin. Code § 100001(a)). If you are a debt collector collecting debt in the state of California you must submit an application on or before Friday, December 31, 2021. Once you have submitted your application, you may continue operating as a debt collector in California while your application is pending. If you submit an application after this date, you will be required to wait for the issuance of a license before you can operate in California. (Fin. Code § 100000.5(c)).
The application for the California Debt Collector License, including financial and other information and must be submitted via the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System & Registry (NMLS). A checklist of requirements for the application is now available on NMLS. The application will be available on NMLS starting September 1, 2021. After an initial application is received, instructions will follow on completing fingerprinting requirements.
For further information about debt collection licensing requirements please refer to the DFPI’s Debt Collectors web page and FAQs. The DFPI looks forward to reviewing applications and welcoming our new licensees!
If you wish to continue operating as a debt collector in California starting from January 1, 2022, the DFPI strongly recommends that you start gathering the necessary information to ensure timely filing of your application by December 31, 2021. Failure to submit an application by this deadline and continued operation without a license may result in enforcement actions being taken against you.
The application will require a $25k surety bond to be filed with the NMLS. Click her to apply for the bond.
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