How to Get Licensed: Washington Collection Agencies

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Washington collection agencies

Washington collection agencies, both in- and out-of-state, need to get a license and $5,000 surety bond. Keep reading for a rundown on how licensing and bonding work.

Getting a license

Washington collection agencies’�licenses are issued by the Department of Licensing (DOL) in conjunction with the Department of Revenue’s Business Licensing Service (DOR; BLS). If your business is in the state and solicits, collects, or attempts to collect debts from debtors, you need the license. If you are based out-of-state and are collecting debts from Washington residents either directly or via a third party, you need the out-of-state agency license.

Collection agencies are required to establish a trust account for the funds they collect on clients’ behalf, and it must be in a sufficient amount to pay all obligations to clients.

Here are the steps you’ll take to apply for the collection agency license through the mail:

  1. Get a business license through the Washington Department of Revenue.
  2. Submit an application for each separate business location. For more locations of the same business, use a location addendum.
  3. Complete a business financial statement. The statement needs to show finances from one of the three months prior to application (December applicants can use September, October, or November). It must show equity or net worth of $7,500 and available cash or its equivalent totaling $7,500.
  4. Get a $5,000 surety bond.
  5. Pay the licensing fees: $850 for an in-state main office, and $550 for each branch office, or $425 for an out-of-state main office license plus $275 for any other branch locations.

Out-of-state licensees may be exempt from the surety bond and licensing fee requirements if they have fulfilled those obligations in the state where they are based, and if they submit the proper documentation to the Department. Apply for a Washington collection agency license online here.

Collection agency surety bonds

Washington collection agencies are in a fairly high-risk business; malpractice is not uncommon in the finance industry. As a measure of financial protection for consumers, the state mandates that agencies get a $5,000 surety bond with their license. The bond is the agency’s promise to uphold state and federal law regarding their business. If they don’t, and a consumer suffers financial damages, the consumer can file a claim against the bond. Proven claims are paid by the surety, who is then reimbursed by the bondholder.

Have questions about getting bonded or ready to get a quote? Call Single Source Insurance today!�

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