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Home / Manage a business / State endorsements / Collection Agency

Collection Agency

Learn more about the Department of Licensing's response to COVID-19.

Any business involved in collecting a debt on behalf of a debt owner, or collecting a debt you have purchased from another person ('debt buyer,' see definition), and either you, the debtor, or the debt owner are located in Washington, you must have a Collection Agency endorsement and be licensed in Washington.

Note: The law clarifies that collection agency licensees are prohibited from engaging in the unauthorized practice of law. See Department of Licensing for more information.

  • You cannot begin business activity until you receive a business license listing the required endorsement.
  • Washington is a closed-border state. You must have a license before contacting debtors or soliciting clients in Washington.

In-state Collection Agency endorsement
Variable fee

Required if your main office is in Washington state or your main office is outside of Washington state and you have, or plan to have, clients located in Washington state.

Licensing requirements and additional supporting documents

  • Business License Application.
  • Collection Agency, Branch Office, and Out of State Collection Agency Addendum.
  • Business Financial Statement showing all the following:
    • Liabilities and assets of the agency in one of the three months prior to application.
      • For example, if you apply in May, we will accept a financial statement for either February, March, or April.
    • $7,500 or more in cash or its equivalent ($5,000 of the cash must be deposited in a bank account used to operate the business).
    • Equity, or net worth, of $7,500 or more.
  • Collection Agency or Out-of-State Collection Agency Surety Bond completed by your insurance company. The insurance must attach their power of attorney form to this form.
     

State endorsement

Fee

Main location in Washington

$850

Main office re-registration (license expired over 30 days)

$1325

Each additional location (branch) in Washington or out-of-state

$550

Branch office re-registration (license expired over 30 days)

$850

Out-of-state Collection Agency endorsement
Variable fee

Required if your main office and all branch offices are located outside of Washington state, you do not have any clients located in Washington state, and you’re contacting debtors in Washington state who owe money to your out-of-state clients.

Licensing requirements and additional supporting documents

  • Business License Application.
  • Collection Agency, Branch Office, and Out of State Collection Agency Addendum.
  • Business Financial Statement showing all the following:
    • Liabilities and assets of the agency in one of the three months prior to application.
      • For example, if you apply in May, we will accept a financial statement for either February, March, or April.
    • $7,500 or more in cash or its equivalent ($5,000 of the cash must be deposited in a bank account used to operate the business).
    • Equity, or net worth, of $7,500 or more.
  • Collection Agency or Out-of-State Collection Agency Surety Bond completed by your insurance company. The insurance must attach their power of attorney form to this form.
  • To get an Out-of-State Collection Agency endorsement, you must do the following:
    • Obtain a trust account.
    • Maintain an office in Washington state, managed by a Washington resident.
    • Make a list of persons with more than 20% interest in the business.
       

State endorsement

Fee

Main location outside Washington

$425

Each additional location (branch)

$275

Additional fees

State tax registration $0
Registering your business name as a trade name $5
Business License Application fee Variable fee

 

How to apply

Online

  • Add a state endorsement to your business
  • Apply for a new business license

Online assistance
Setting up your business licensing and tax account
​
How to add a state endorsement

By mail

Complete the licensing requirements above and mail to:

Business Licensing Service
P.O. Box 9034
Olympia, WA 98507-9034
 

Resources

Business Licensing Service
360-705-6741

Regulatory questions
 

Department of Licensing
Collection agencies
Phone: 360-664-1388
Fax: 360-570-7053
Collect@dol.wa.gov

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