Debt collector laws in Nevada

What Nevada law says about collectors

State law

Nevada collection agency law (NRS Chapter 649, Collection Agencies)

Law

NRS Chapter 649

Covers original creditors

No

Official text

Read the law

Protections Nevada adds to federal law

• A violation of the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act counts as a violation of Nevada's collection agency law too, so the state regulator can act on it (NRS 649.370).
• A collection agency may not sue you on a debt when it knows or should know the time limit for suing has passed (NRS 649.375(1)(j)).
• Medical debt: at least 60 days before trying to collect, a collection agency must mail you a notice. The notice must name the provider and give the service date and the principal amount. During that time it may not report the debt to credit bureaus (NRS 649.366, 649.367).
• Medical debt: a collection agency may not file a regular lawsuit on a medical debt smaller than the small claims limit (it may still use small claims court). It can't charge collection or attorney fees above 5% of the debt or take a confession of judgment (NRS 649.368; NRS 73.010).
• A collection agency may not use fake legal papers or letters that look like they come from a court, government office or attorney, and may not harass your employer (NRS 649.375(1)(a), (e)).

Nevada rules on medical debt

Since 2021, collection agencies must mail you a notice at least 60 days before trying to collect a medical debt, and may not report it to credit bureaus during that time. A voluntary payment during that period does not extend the time limit and is not an admission (NRS 649.366, 649.367). They can't file a regular lawsuit on a medical debt below the small claims limit (small claims court is still allowed). Fees are capped at 5% (NRS 649.368). "Medical debt" includes third-party financing used only for medical care (NRS 649.036).

Collector licensing in Nevada

License required

Yes

Who licenses

Nevada Department of Business and Industry, Financial Institutions Division (FID), through NMLS (NRS 649.075)

Check a license

Official license lookup

Nevada is one of 28 states in our 48 state guides that require a license.

In nearby states

• California: Yes
• Oregon: Yes
• Idaho: Yes
• Utah: No statewide license

Good to know in Nevada

• The 2025 Legislature added an information-security duty for licensees (NRS 649.340, Stats. 2025 p. 247).

Reporting a collector in Nevada

• Nevada: Nevada Financial Institutions Division (for collection agencies) · 702-486-4120
• Federal: the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau takes complaints about debt collectors at consumerfinance.gov/complaint · (855) 411-2372.
• You can also report a collector to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Steps against an abusive collector in Nevada

1. Keep a record

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

2. Check the collector

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

3. Put your request in writing

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

4. Complain

   Complain to Nevada Financial Institutions Division (for collection agencies). You can also complain to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.

5. Know your right to sue in Nevada

   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).

Questions about collector laws in Nevada

More for Nevada

• All debt collection rights in Nevada
• Statute of limitations in Nevada: 6 years
• Wage garnishment in Nevada: 18–25%
• Sued by a debt collector in Nevada: 21 days
• “Is my debt too old?” checker for Nevada
• Dispute a debt and ask for proof (validation letter)
• Tell a collector to stop or limit contact
• Debt collector licensing by state
• Guide: how to dispute a debt
• Guide: how to stop collector calls

Debt collector laws in nearby states