Debt collector laws in Washington

Washington regulates collectors through the Washington Collection Agency Act. Here are its extra protections, licensing, complaints and medical debt rules.

Short answer

Washington has its own debt collection law: the Washington Collection Agency Act. It does not cover original creditors collecting their own debts. Debt collectors need a state license in Washington; the licensing agency is Washington State Department of Licensing (collection agencies, including debt buyers and out-of-state collection agencies). Complaints go to Washington State Attorney General's Office (also the Department of Licensing for licensed collection agencies), and to the CFPB.

State law
Yes
Covers original creditors
No
License required
Yes
Extra protections listed
5

The Washington debt collection law

State law
Washington Collection Agency Act
Law
Rev. Code Wash. ch. 19.16
Covers original creditors
No
Official text
Read the law

Medical debt in Washington

Since July 27, 2025 (Laws 2025, ch. 145, ESSB 5480): credit bureaus may not include medical debt in consumer reports (RCW 19.182.040(1)(g)); a collection agency may not report medical debt to credit bureaus (RCW 19.16.250(28)(a)(iii)); and a medical debt becomes void and unenforceable if a provider, facility or collection agency reports it to a credit bureau (new section in ch. 70.54 RCW). Collectors must give a free itemized statement on request and stop collecting until they do (RCW 19.16.250(28)), and must tell you about hospital charity care (RCW 19.16.250(29)). 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 Washington adds to the FDCPA

  • Collectors may not contact you or your spouse more than 3 times a week, or call your home between 9:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m., unless responding to you. (RCW 19.16.250(13))
  • Collectors may not call or text your cell phone more than twice a day unless responding to you. (RCW 19.16.250(18))
  • A collector may not sue or start arbitration when it knows, or should know, the debt is past the statute of limitations. (RCW 19.16.250(23))
  • A collector may not serve you with a summons and complaint unless they have been filed with the court and show a case number. (RCW 19.16.250(27))
  • The first notice must list the original creditor, an itemized amount, and (if known) the original account number and date of last payment. (RCW 19.16.250(8))

Suing a collector in Washington

Yes. Breaking RCW 19.16.250 or collecting without a license is an unfair or deceptive practice under Washington's Consumer Protection Act (chapter 19.86 RCW), so you can sue under that act. Also, the collector and later owners lose the right to collect any interest, fees or charges on that debt, only the original amount. (RCW 19.16.440, 19.16.450)

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).

Collector licensing in Washington

License required
Yes
Who licenses
Washington State Department of Licensing (collection agencies, including debt buyers and out-of-state collection agencies)
Check a license
Official license lookup

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

In nearby states

Where to complain in Washington

When a collector crosses the line in Washington

  1. Save the evidence

    Log each call (date, time, who) and keep every letter, voicemail and text.

  2. Look up the company

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

  3. Write to the collector

    Write to dispute a debt or to stop collector calls, and keep a copy with proof of mailing.

  4. Complain

    Complain to Washington State Attorney General's Office (also the Department of Licensing for licensed collection agencies). You can also complain to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.

  5. Know your right to sue in Washington

    Under Washington law: Yes. Breaking RCW 19.16.250 or collecting without a license is an unfair or deceptive practice under Washington's Consumer Protection Act (chapter 19.86 RCW), so you can sue under that act.

Questions about collector laws in Washington

Does Washington license debt collectors?

Yes. Washington State Department of Licensing (collection agencies, including debt buyers and out-of-state collection agencies)

Has Washington passed a debt collection act of its own?

Yes: the Washington Collection Agency Act (Rev. Code Wash. ch. 19.16). It does not cover original creditors collecting their own debts.

Are there medical debt rules in Washington?

Since July 27, 2025 (Laws 2025, ch. 145, ESSB 5480): credit bureaus may not include medical debt in consumer reports (RCW 19.182.040(1)(g)); a collection agency may not report medical debt to credit bureaus (RCW 19.16.250(28)(a)(iii)); and a medical debt becomes void and unenforceable if a provider, facility or collection agency reports it to a credit bureau (new section in ch. 70.54 RCW). Collectors must give a free itemized statement on request and stop collecting until they do (RCW 19.16.250(28)), and must tell you about hospital charity care (RCW 19.16.250(29)). 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.

Where can I complain about a debt collector in Washington?

Washington State Attorney General's Office (also the Department of Licensing for licensed collection agencies): https://www.atg.wa.gov/file-complaint · 1-800-551-4636 (in Washington only) or 206-464-6684

Does Washington law let me sue a collector?

Yes. Breaking RCW 19.16.250 or collecting without a license is an unfair or deceptive practice under Washington's Consumer Protection Act (chapter 19.86 RCW), so you can sue under that act. Also, the collector and later owners lose the right to collect any interest, fees or charges on that debt, only the original amount. (RCW 19.16.440, 19.16.450)

How do I check a debt collector's license in Washington?

Use Washington's official license lookup: https://dol.wa.gov/professional-licenses/look-status-business-or-professional-license.

How does Washington law go beyond the FDCPA?

Collectors may not contact you or your spouse more than 3 times a week, or call your home between 9:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m., unless responding to you. (RCW 19.16.250(13)) Collectors may not call or text your cell phone more than twice a day unless responding to you. (RCW 19.16.250(18)) A collector may not sue or start arbitration when it knows, or should know, the debt is past the statute of limitations. (RCW 19.16.250(23))

More for Washington

Debt collector laws in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources