What is the statute of limitations on debt in California?

In California, the statute of limitations for written contracts is 4 years, oral contracts is 2 years, promissory notes is 6 years, and open-ended accounts (credit cards) is 4 years. After this period, the debt may become legally unenforceable through the courts.

Do collection agencies need a license in California?

Yes, collection agencies must be licensed to operate in California. The licensing authority is the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. Businesses should verify that any collection agency they hire holds a valid California license.

How do I file a complaint against a debt collector in California?

You can file a complaint with the California Attorney General's office through their consumer complaint portal. You can also file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov/complaint for violations of federal debt collection law.

California Debt Collection Laws — Licensing, SOL & Regulations | CollectionAgencies.com

SOL (Written)

4 yrs

SOL (Open)

4 yrs

License Req.

Yes

State Law

Yes

California Collection Law

Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

California has its own debt collection law that may impose requirements beyond the federal FDCPA. Collection agencies operating in California must comply with both federal and state regulations.

Licensing Requirements

License Required: Yes
Licensing Authority: Department of Financial Protection and Innovation
More Information: Department of Financial Protection and Innovation

Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations determines how long a creditor has to file a lawsuit to collect a debt. After this period, the debt may become legally unenforceable through the courts, though it can still appear on credit reports.

Debt Type	Years	Examples
Written Contracts	4	Auto loans, personal loans, mortgages
Oral Contracts	2	Informal agreements, handshake deals
Promissory Notes	6	Student loans, business notes
Open-Ended Accounts	4	Credit cards, lines of credit

Key Considerations for Businesses

Verify that any collection agency you hire is properly licensed in California before signing a contract.
Place accounts into collection before the statute of limitations expires to preserve legal remedies.
California law may impose requirements on creditors beyond federal law. Review Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act for obligations that apply to original creditors.
Your business may share liability for FDCPA violations committed by your collection agency. Choose a compliant partner.

Collection Agencies in California

132 collection agencies serve California. View all agencies

Aargon Agency

Las Vegas, NVnational

Full-service collection agency serving small and medium businesses, healthcare providers, and government agencies with compliant debt recovery services.

consumercommercial b2bmedical

Fee Model: contingency
Founded: 1996
Debt Range: $50

ABC-Amega Inc.

Buffalo, NYnational

One of the largest commercial collection agencies in the world, providing B2B debt recovery, credit risk management, and international collections across 96 countries.

commercial b2b

Fee Model: contingency
Founded: 1929
Debt Range: $500

ACB Receivables Management

Buffalo, NYnational

National accounts receivable management firm providing commercial and consumer debt recovery services with a focus on healthcare and financial services clients.

consumercommercial b2bmedical

Fee Model: contingency
Founded: 1980

Account Control Technology

Nashville, TNnational

Award-winning collection agency providing large-scale receivables management. Serves government agencies and large enterprises with technology-driven recovery solutions.

consumergovernmentutilitytelecom

Fee Model: contingency
Founded: 1990

Afni Inc.

Bloomington, ILnational

Large BPO and accounts receivable management company providing first-party and third-party collection services for major telecommunications and healthcare companies.

consumertelecomutility

Fee Model: contingency
Founded: 1936

AllianceOne Receivables Management

Louisville, KYnational

Large-scale accounts receivable management company serving government, education, and healthcare clients with first-party and third-party collection services.

consumergovernmentstudent loanutility

Fee Model: contingency
Founded: 2000

View all 132 agencies in California →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the statute of limitations on debt in California?: In California, the statute of limitations for written contracts is 4 years, oral contracts is 2 years, promissory notes is 6 years, and open-ended accounts (credit cards) is 4 years. After this period, the debt may become legally unenforceable through the courts.
Do collection agencies need a license in California?: Yes, collection agencies must be licensed to operate in California. The licensing authority is the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. Businesses should verify that any collection agency they hire holds a valid California license.
How do I file a complaint against a debt collector in California?: You can file a complaint with the California Attorney General's office through their consumer complaint portal. You can also file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov/complaint for violations of federal debt collection law.