License to Work: A National Study of Burdens from Occupational Licensing
Bill Collector Agency
Highlights
License required in 30 states78th most burdensome licensing requirements
43rd most heavily regulated occupation
(Last updated April 24, 2012)
Definition
Bill collection agencies, also known as account representatives or debt collectors, locate and notify customers of delinquent accounts by mail, telephone or personal visit to solicit payment. Their duties include receiving payment and posting amount to a customer's account; preparing statements to a credit department if a customer fails to respond; initiating repossession proceedings or service disconnection; and keeping records of collection and status of accounts.Summary
Charging an average fee of $471, 30 states require a license to operate a bill collection agency -- the 43rd most widely and onerously licensed occupation of the 102 studied. Nebraska is the only state that requires bill collectors to have any experience, requiring two years, and Michigan is the only state with an exam. Fees range from $10 in Iowa to $1,524 in Arizona. States also require such things as a moral character certificate of good standing, a personal history statement and financial statements.(Last updated May 2, 2012)
State Licensing Requirements
| Burden Rank | State | Fees | Education/Experience (Days) | Exams | Minimum Grade | Minimum Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nebraska | $400 | 730 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Michigan | $273 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 18 |
| 3 | Alaska | $250 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 19 |
| 4 | Arizona | $1,524 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Louisiana | $400 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 |
| 6 | Arkansas | $140 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| 7 | Colorado | $1,200 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Wisconsin | $1,015 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | North Carolina | $1,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $900 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Tennessee | $750 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Illinois | $750 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | North Dakota | $700 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Nevada | $675 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Washington | $665 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | New Mexico | $600 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | Wyoming | $500 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | Maine | $400 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | Maryland | $400 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | Oregon | $350 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | Massachusetts | $300 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | Florida | $200 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | Rhode Island | $200 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | Hawaii | $160 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | Idaho | $150 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | Indiana | $100 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | Delaware | $75 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | Utah | $32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 29 | Minnesota | $20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 | Iowa | $10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
(Last updated April 24, 2012)
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