Debt collector laws in Louisiana

Louisiana regulates collectors through the Louisiana Consumer Credit Law: unauthorized collection practices. Here are its extra protections, licensing, complaints and medical debt rules.

Short answer

Louisiana has its own debt collection law: the Louisiana Consumer Credit Law: unauthorized collection practices. It also covers original creditors collecting their own debts. Debt collectors need a state license in Louisiana; the licensing agency is Louisiana Secretary of State, (225) 925-4704 (registration, not a license; La. R.S. 9:3534.1). The Office of Financial Institutions does not regulate collection agencies. File complaints with Louisiana Attorney General, Consumer Protection Section or the CFPB.

State law
Yes
Covers original creditors
Yes
License required
Yes
Extra protections listed
3

Louisiana's collection law

State law
Louisiana Consumer Credit Law: unauthorized collection practices
Law
La. R.S. 9:3562
Covers original creditors
Yes
Official text
Read the law

Louisiana's law reaches original creditors as well, as in 22 of the 48 states we cover.

Protections Louisiana adds to federal law

  • A creditor cannot contact people outside your household about your debt, except credit bureaus and other lenders, unless you agree after the debt arises (La. R.S. 9:3562).
  • If you are behind and send the creditor a written stop-contact letter by registered or certified mail, it can then mail you only one notice a month and make at most four personal contacts to settle the debt (La. R.S. 9:3562(3)).
  • Collection agencies and debt collectors doing business in Louisiana must register with the Secretary of State (La. R.S. 9:3534.1).

Medical bills and collectors in Louisiana

If your debt comes from a catastrophic or terminal illness or injury (uninsured medical bills over $10,000 that are more than half of your yearly income), your whole home is protected from seizure, not just $35,000 (La. R.S. 20:1(A)(2), (3)). No other Louisiana medical debt law was found.

Your right to sue in Louisiana

Yes, in general terms: the law keeps your right to sue for damages under Civil Code article 2315 (La. R.S. 9:3562(5)). It sets no fixed damages amount. You can also sue a debt collector under the federal FDCPA.

Under federal law you can also sue a collector that breaks the FDCPA within 1 year, for your actual damages, up to $1,000 more and your attorney's fees (15 U.S.C. 1692k).

Licenses for collection agencies in Louisiana

License required
Yes
Who licenses
Louisiana Secretary of State, (225) 925-4704 (registration, not a license; La. R.S. 9:3534.1). The Office of Financial Institutions does not regulate collection agencies.

Like Louisiana, 28 of the 48 states we cover license collectors.

In nearby states

Good to know in Louisiana

  • Louisiana's harassment rule covers original creditors, not only collection agencies (La. R.S. 9:3562).

Where to complain in Louisiana

When a collector crosses the line in Louisiana

  1. Save the evidence

    Keep letters, voicemails, emails and texts, and a log of every call.

  2. Check the collector

    Louisiana requires a license; ask the collector for its license number from Louisiana Secretary of State, (225) 925-4704 (registration, not a license; La. R.S. 9:3534.1). The Office of Financial Institutions does not regulate collection agencies.

  3. Send a letter

    Send a letter to dispute a debt or to stop collector calls. Keep a copy and proof of mailing.

  4. File a complaint

    Complain to Louisiana Attorney General, Consumer Protection Section. You can also complain to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.

  5. Know your right to sue in Louisiana

    Under Louisiana law: Yes, in general terms: the law keeps your right to sue for damages under Civil Code article 2315 (La. R.S. 9:3562(5)).

Questions about collector laws in Louisiana

Does Louisiana license debt collectors?

Yes. Louisiana Secretary of State, (225) 925-4704 (registration, not a license; La. R.S. 9:3534.1). The Office of Financial Institutions does not regulate collection agencies.

Does Louisiana have its own debt collection law?

Yes: the Louisiana Consumer Credit Law: unauthorized collection practices (La. R.S. 9:3562). It also covers original creditors collecting their own debts.

What does Louisiana law say about medical debt?

If your debt comes from a catastrophic or terminal illness or injury (uninsured medical bills over $10,000 that are more than half of your yearly income), your whole home is protected from seizure, not just $35,000 (La. R.S. 20:1(A)(2), (3)). No other Louisiana medical debt law was found.

Who takes complaints about collectors in Louisiana?

Louisiana Attorney General, Consumer Protection Section: https://www.ag.state.la.us/ConsumerProtection · 1-800-351-4889

Does Louisiana law let me sue a collector?

Yes, in general terms: the law keeps your right to sue for damages under Civil Code article 2315 (La. R.S. 9:3562(5)). It sets no fixed damages amount. You can also sue a debt collector under the federal FDCPA.

How does Louisiana law go beyond the FDCPA?

A creditor cannot contact people outside your household about your debt, except credit bureaus and other lenders, unless you agree after the debt arises (La. R.S. 9:3562). If you are behind and send the creditor a written stop-contact letter by registered or certified mail, it can then mail you only one notice a month and make at most four personal contacts to settle the debt (La. R.S. 9:3562(3)). Collection agencies and debt collectors doing business in Louisiana must register with the Secretary of State (La. R.S. 9:3534.1).

Related Louisiana pages

Debt collector laws in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources