Debt collector laws in Rhode Island

Rhode Island regulates collectors through the Rhode Island Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Here are its extra protections, licensing, complaints and medical debt rules.

Short answer

Rhode Island has its own debt collection law: the Rhode Island Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. It does not cover original creditors collecting their own debts. Debt collectors need a state license in Rhode Island; the licensing agency is Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Division of Banking (debt collector registration). File complaints with Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Division of Banking; or the Rhode Island Attorney General, Consumer Protection Unit or the CFPB.

State law
Yes
Covers original creditors
No
License required
Yes
Extra protections listed
4

What Rhode Island law says about collectors

State law
Rhode Island Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
Law
R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 19-14.9-1 to 19-14.9-14
Covers original creditors
No
Official text
Read the law

Medical bills and collectors in Rhode Island

Since Jan. 1, 2025, credit bureaus may not report medical debt, and collector letters must include a notice saying so; collection must pause during insurance appeals (R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 6-60, P.L. 2024 ch. 224/225). Since June 26, 2025, interest on new medical debt is capped at 1.5%–4% a year (§ 6-26-11, P.L. 2025 ch. 302/303). Noncompliance after 30 days' notice: $10 a day plus fees (§ 6-60-5). 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.

What Rhode Island adds to the FDCPA

  • Debt collectors must register with the state banking regulator each year before collecting in Rhode Island (R.I. Gen. Laws § 19-14.9-12).
  • Credit bureaus may not report medical debt in any way, and every letter from a creditor or collector about medical debt must say so (R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 6-60-3, 6-60-4(b)).
  • If a creditor or collector knows (or should know) of an insurance review or appeal that is pending, it may not report the medical bill to a credit bureau, contact you to collect it, or sue you over it (R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-60-4(c)).
  • Interest on new medical debt (incurred after June 26, 2025) is capped at a Treasury-based rate between 1.5% and 4% a year (R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-26-11).

Suing a collector in Rhode Island

Yes. You can sue for actual damages, extra damages of up to $1,000, and attorney's fees, within 1 year. You can't recover twice for the same violation under state and federal law, and a collector can avoid liability by curing a fixable violation within 15 days (R.I. Gen. Laws § 19-14.9-13).

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).

Where to complain in Rhode Island

  • Rhode Island: Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Division of Banking; or the Rhode Island Attorney General, Consumer Protection Unit
  • 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.

Licenses for collection agencies in Rhode Island

License required
Yes
Who licenses
Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Division of Banking (debt collector registration)

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

In nearby states

When a collector crosses the line in Rhode Island

  1. Write it down

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

  2. Identify the collector

    Rhode Island requires a license; ask the collector for its license number from Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Division of Banking (debt collector registration).

  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. File a complaint

    Complain to Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Division of Banking; or the Rhode Island Attorney General, Consumer Protection Unit. You can also complain to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.

  5. Know your right to sue in Rhode Island

    Under Rhode Island law: Yes. You can sue for actual damages, extra damages of up to $1,000, and attorney's fees, within 1 year.

Questions about collector laws in Rhode Island

Are collection agencies licensed in Rhode Island?

Yes. Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Division of Banking (debt collector registration)

Is there a Rhode Island debt collection act?

Yes: the Rhode Island Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 19-14.9-1 to 19-14.9-14). It does not cover original creditors collecting their own debts.

Does Rhode Island protect people with medical debt?

Since Jan. 1, 2025, credit bureaus may not report medical debt, and collector letters must include a notice saying so; collection must pause during insurance appeals (R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 6-60, P.L. 2024 ch. 224/225). Since June 26, 2025, interest on new medical debt is capped at 1.5%–4% a year (§ 6-26-11, P.L. 2025 ch. 302/303). Noncompliance after 30 days' notice: $10 a day plus fees (§ 6-60-5). 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.

Can I sue a debt collector under Rhode Island law?

Yes. You can sue for actual damages, extra damages of up to $1,000, and attorney's fees, within 1 year. You can't recover twice for the same violation under state and federal law, and a collector can avoid liability by curing a fixable violation within 15 days (R.I. Gen. Laws § 19-14.9-13).

What protections does Rhode Island add to federal debt collection law?

Debt collectors must register with the state banking regulator each year before collecting in Rhode Island (R.I. Gen. Laws § 19-14.9-12). Credit bureaus may not report medical debt in any way, and every letter from a creditor or collector about medical debt must say so (R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 6-60-3, 6-60-4(b)). If a creditor or collector knows (or should know) of an insurance review or appeal that is pending, it may not report the medical bill to a credit bureau, contact you to collect it, or sue you over it (R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-60-4(c)).

More for Rhode Island

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources