Debt collector laws in Maryland

The Maryland Consumer Debt Collection Act: what it adds to federal law, who must be licensed, where to complain and the medical debt rules in Maryland.

Short answer

Maryland has its own debt collection law: the Maryland Consumer Debt Collection Act. It also covers original creditors collecting their own debts. Debt collectors need a state license in Maryland; the licensing agency is Maryland State Collection Agency Licensing Board / Commissioner of Financial Regulation (Office of Financial Regulation), applications through NMLS. File complaints with Maryland Office of Financial Regulation, Consumer Response Unit or the CFPB.

State law
Yes
Covers original creditors
Yes
License required
Yes
Extra protections listed
4

What Maryland law says about collectors

State law
Maryland Consumer Debt Collection Act
Law
Md. Code, Com. Law §§ 14-201 to 14-204
Covers original creditors
Yes
Official text
Read the law

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

Medical bills and collectors in Maryland

Three 2025 laws took effect Oct. 1, 2025. HB 1020: medical providers may not report medical debt to credit bureaus, and credit bureaus may not keep or report it. HB 428: a medical debt judgment cannot be used for a lien on your primary home. HB 268: hospitals must give you 240 days to apply for financial assistance before suing, may not sue for medical debts under $500, and the 3-year limit applies even to contracts 'under seal' (Maryland OFR advisory). Note: on October 28, 2025 the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued an interpretive rule saying that the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act generally preempts state laws that ban medical debt from credit reports (90 Fed. Reg. 48710). The state law is still on the books, but credit bureaus may argue it cannot be enforced, and courts have the final say.

Protections Maryland adds to federal law

  • A collector, including the original creditor, may not contact your employer about the debt before getting a final court judgment (Com. Law § 14-202(4)).
  • Collecting without a required Maryland collection agency license is itself a violation (Com. Law § 14-202(10)).
  • Any conduct banned by the federal FDCPA (§§ 804-812) also violates the Maryland act, even when the original creditor does it (Com. Law § 14-202(11)).
  • No one may sue you on a consumer debt after the time limit has run out, and a later payment does not restart it (Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-1202).

Suing a collector in Maryland

Yes. A collector who violates the act is liable for damages it caused, including emotional distress or mental anguish, even without physical injury (Com. Law § 14-203).

Federal law (15 U.S.C. 1692k) also lets you sue within 1 year for actual damages, up to $1,000 extra and attorney's fees.

More Maryland rules

  • Maryland's act covers original creditors, not just collection agencies, because a 'collector' is anyone collecting a consumer debt (Com. Law § 14-201(b)).

Do collectors need a license in Maryland?

License required
Yes
Who licenses
Maryland State Collection Agency Licensing Board / Commissioner of Financial Regulation (Office of Financial Regulation), applications through NMLS
Check a license
Official license lookup

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

In nearby states

Complaints about collectors in Maryland

Steps against an abusive collector in Maryland

  1. Write it down

    Note the date, time and caller of every contact, and keep letters, voicemails, emails and texts.

  2. Identify the collector

    Maryland requires a license, so check the collector's: Official license lookup.

  3. Put your request in writing

    Use a letter to dispute a debt or to stop collector calls; keep a copy and the mailing receipt.

  4. Report the collector

    Complain to Maryland Office of Financial Regulation, Consumer Response Unit. You can also complain to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.

  5. Know your right to sue in Maryland

    Under Maryland law: Yes. A collector who violates the act is liable for damages it caused, including emotional distress or mental anguish, even without physical injury (Com. Law § 14-203).

Questions about collector laws in Maryland

Do debt collectors need a license in Maryland?

Yes. Maryland State Collection Agency Licensing Board / Commissioner of Financial Regulation (Office of Financial Regulation), applications through NMLS

Has Maryland passed a debt collection act of its own?

Yes: the Maryland Consumer Debt Collection Act (Md. Code, Com. Law §§ 14-201 to 14-204). It also covers original creditors collecting their own debts.

What does Maryland law say about medical debt?

Three 2025 laws took effect Oct. 1, 2025. HB 1020: medical providers may not report medical debt to credit bureaus, and credit bureaus may not keep or report it. HB 428: a medical debt judgment cannot be used for a lien on your primary home. HB 268: hospitals must give you 240 days to apply for financial assistance before suing, may not sue for medical debts under $500, and the 3-year limit applies even to contracts 'under seal' (Maryland OFR advisory). Note: on October 28, 2025 the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued an interpretive rule saying that the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act generally preempts state laws that ban medical debt from credit reports (90 Fed. Reg. 48710). The state law is still on the books, but credit bureaus may argue it cannot be enforced, and courts have the final say.

How do I report a debt collector in Maryland?

Maryland Office of Financial Regulation, Consumer Response Unit: https://labor.maryland.gov/finance/consumers/comphow.shtml · 410-230-6077

Can I sue a debt collector under Maryland law?

Yes. A collector who violates the act is liable for damages it caused, including emotional distress or mental anguish, even without physical injury (Com. Law § 14-203).

Where can I look up a collector's Maryland license?

Use Maryland's official license lookup: https://labor.maryland.gov/finance/industry/licsearch.shtml.

What extra rules do collectors face in Maryland?

A collector, including the original creditor, may not contact your employer about the debt before getting a final court judgment (Com. Law § 14-202(4)). Collecting without a required Maryland collection agency license is itself a violation (Com. Law § 14-202(10)). Any conduct banned by the federal FDCPA (§§ 804-812) also violates the Maryland act, even when the original creditor does it (Com. Law § 14-202(11)).

Related Maryland pages

Debt collector laws in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources