Where is Debt Collector a licensed occupation?

51 states require a license for Debt Collector practitioners. Same-lane licenses to open next: Certified Public Accountant (CPA); Insurance Agent; Mortgage Loan Originator.

How much training before a Debt Collector license?

Education requirements vary by state. Check individual state requirements in the table below. Also compare Insurance Agent in this category.

How expensive is Debt Collector licensing to start?

Licensing fees vary by state. See the requirements table below.

Does Debt Collector transfer without a full retest?

License reciprocity varies by state. Many states participate in interstate compacts that allow license portability. Check the reciprocity information in the state-by-state details for your specific situation. Compact coverage can differ for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) even when the boards look similar.

Is a written or practical exam required for Debt Collector?

51 out of 51 states require passing an examination to obtain a debt collector license. Exam requirements, names, and formats vary by state, check the state-by-state table above for specifics.

Will a Debt Collector application include a background check?

51 out of 51 states require a criminal background check as part of the debt collector licensing process. Background check requirements and disqualifying offenses vary by jurisdiction.

Professions / Finance

Occupational licensing · Finance · 51 state boards

Debt Collector Licensing Requirements by State

Debt Collector licensing rules differ by state. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) compilation and responsible state boards (current as of May 15, 2026), this registry compares education hours, initial and renewal fees, exams, background checks and reciprocity notes across 51 boards. Use the table to compare differences, then verify the current rule with the responsible board before applying.

Debt Collector across 51 state boards. Nearest coverage peers (51-state band): Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Insurance Agent, Mortgage Loan Originator.

By PlainCredential ·Compiled from official state licensing boards

States regulated: 51
Require an exam: 100%

View saved licenses

Board Pathway Strip

Debt Collector: 51 boards · exam on 100% · background check on 100%. Same-lane boards: Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Insurance Agent, Mortgage Loan Originator.

Collects debts on behalf of creditors. Licensed or bonded in most states.

Debt Collector: 51/51 boards require an exam (100%); unusually uniform for finance. Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is the usual same-lane contrast.

Board thresholds for Debt Collector drift board-to-board; the same pattern shows up on Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Insurance Agent in finance. Methodology notes live on our methods page.

Debt Collector states

Top quartile, highest

Board gates for Debt Collector: exam on 51/51 (100%), background check on 51/51 (100%) , most boards skip mandated CE hours . Stack that against Certified Public Accountant (CPA) / Insurance Agent before calling this license soft or hard.

Training-hour peers beyond finance

Coverage band

Debt Collector boards vs Certified Public Accountant (CPA) / Insurance Agent - state table

51 states

State	Edu. Hours	Exam	Init. Fee	Renewal	Cycle	Same-board peer
Alabama	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Insurance Agent · Locksmith
Alaska	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also HVAC Technician · Licensed Professional Counselor
Arizona	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Nail Technician · Pest Control Applicator
Arkansas	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Licensed Professional Counselor · Mortgage Loan Originator
California	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Pharmacist · Process Server
Colorado	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist · Secondary School Teacher
Connecticut	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also School Counselor · Substitute Teacher
Delaware	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Secondary School Teacher · Tattoo Artist
District of Columbia	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also School Counselor · Substitute Teacher
Florida	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Farrier / Horseshoer · Hearing Aid Specialist
Georgia	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Hair Braider · Land Surveyor
Hawaii	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Paramedic · Physician Assistant
Idaho	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Professional Geologist · Respiratory Therapist
Illinois	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Roofer · Sign Language Interpreter
Indiana	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also School Counselor · Substitute Teacher
Iowa	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Private Investigator · Real Estate Broker
Kansas	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Elementary School Teacher · Funeral Director / Embalmer
Kentucky	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Food Handler / Food Safety Certification · Home Inspector
Louisiana	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Electrologist · Food Handler / Food Safety Certification
Maine	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) · Mobile Home Installer
Maryland	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) · Medical Lab Technician
Massachusetts	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Interior Designer · Marriage and Family Therapist
Michigan	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Massage Therapist · Occupational Therapist
Minnesota	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Nail Technician · Pest Control Applicator
Mississippi	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Painter (Contractor) · Physical Therapist
Missouri	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Notary Public · Pesticide Applicator (Commercial)
Montana	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Paramedic · Physician Assistant
Nebraska	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Pesticide Applicator (Commercial) · Private Investigator
Nevada	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Respiratory Therapist · Septic System Installer
New Hampshire	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Phlebotomist · Professional Geologist
New Jersey	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Physician Assistant · Radiologic Technologist
New Mexico	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Process Server · Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist
New York	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also School Counselor · Substitute Teacher
North Carolina	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Paramedic · Physician Assistant
North Dakota	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Pest Control Applicator · Plumber
Ohio	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also School Counselor · Substitute Teacher
Oklahoma	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Security Alarm Installer · Tax Preparer
Oregon	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Tax Preparer · Animal Breeder
Pennsylvania	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Tax Preparer · Animal Breeder
Rhode Island	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Home Inspector · Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
South Carolina	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Massage Therapist · Occupational Therapist
South Dakota	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Medical Assistant · Optician (Dispensing)
Tennessee	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist · Secondary School Teacher
Texas	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Sign Language Interpreter · Tow Truck Operator
Utah	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Arborist / Tree Surgeon · Body Piercer
Vermont	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Dental Hygienist · Esthetician
Virginia	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Amusement Ride Operator · Barber
Washington	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Court Reporter / Stenographer · Elevator Installer
West Virginia	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Insurance Agent · Locksmith
Wisconsin	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) · Glazier
Wyoming	-	Yes	$100	-	2 yrs	Also Landscape Architect · Medical Assistant

What to do with this

Debt Collector is regulated in 51 states -- here's how to use that before you act.

Compare Debt Collector's requirements against every other tracked profession. Browse all professions
#19 of 97 professions by number of states requiring a license -- see which states are strictest overall. State burden rankings
Check whether your license transfers under an interstate compact before assuming you need to start over. Reciprocity guide

Requirements are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research and verified against state board sites where possible; always confirm current rules with the licensing board before relying on any single row.

Data sources

Every figure on PlainCredential is rendered directly from NCSL and state occupational- licensing board data, no number is typed in by an editor. Debt Collector requirements from NCSL and state board schedules: 51 rows, no hand-typed figures. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.