Under the Idaho Collection Agency Act (ICAA), the following activities cannot be conducted in Idaho without obtaining a collection agency permit:
- Operating as a collection agency, debt counselor, credit counselor, credit repair business or debt buyer,
- Engaging, either directly or indirectly, in the business of collecting or receiving payment for others of any account or bill,
- Soliciting or advertising for the right to collect or receive payment for another of any account or bill,
- Selling or distributing any system of collection letters in which the name of any person other than the creditor to whom the debt is owed appears,
- Engaging in the business of credit counseling, or
- Engaging in the business of credit repair.
All collection agencies must file an annual report of activity and surety bond calculation form prior to March 15 of each year. This completed form should be emailed to collections@finance.idaho.gov. An Annual Report of Agents/Collectors must also be filed through Access Idaho prior to March 15.
Collection agency licensees must file a license renewal application annually through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) prior to December 31.
To obtain licensing information for Collection Agencies, Credit/Debt Counselors, Debt Buyers, Debt Settlement Companies or Credit Repair organizations, please call 208-332-8002 or email collections@finance.idaho.gov.