All our licensing forms are now available through the Enterprise Licensing & Permitting (ELP) portal.  Create an ELP username or login to your existing account here:  https://apps.lnpweb.com.

Copies of our legacy PDF or paper application forms will still be accepted but may result in longer processing times.

Apply for a Collection Agency License

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To obtain an Arkansas collection agency license you will need to submit each of the following items:

Proposed Manager Information form 

All licensees must register at least one employee as your agency’s manager. This person should be someone who regularly supervises other collectors and who maintains an acceptable credit reputation. This form offers three options to demonstrate your proposed manager’s creditworthiness:

1) Enter the individual’s personal information so we can obtain a consumer credit report (US applicants only); OR

2) Provide a copy the proposed manager’s foreign credit report (non-US only); OR

3) Provide a copy of your license from another US state with a collection agency statute substantially similar to Arkansas’s.

You can submit the Proposed Manager form before beginning the Application for a Collection Agency License, or while applying for your license. THIS FORM CHARGES A MANAGER REGISTRATION FEE OF $20.00.

Surety Bond 

The surety bond must be issued by a bonding or insurance company, signed by a representative of the collection agency, have a power of attorney attached, and show the physical address of the collection agency. The dollar amount of the bond is based on the number of collectors employed by the collection agency. 

• For zero to five collectors, the bond amount must be at least $10,000;
• For six to 12 collectors, the bond amount must be at least $20,000; and
• For 13+ collectors, the bond amount must be at least $25,000.

Download the PDF above and complete the bond form before starting your Collection Agency License Application. You will be asked to upload it toward the end of the application. We will also accept an insurance carrier’s own bond form, so long as it provides the information listed above.

Application for a Collection Agency License 

In addition to the surety bond, the Application will also ask you to upload a copy of your company’s organizational chart, along with a list of any corporate officers and shareholders, if applicable. THIS FORM CHARGES A LICENSE FEE OF $125.00, PLUS A REGISTRATION FEE OF $20.00 PER COLLECTOR.

Retroactive Licensure

An unlicensed collection agency that has been contacting Arkansas residents may apply for a retroactive license. A Retroactive license serves to legitimize any collection efforts to date, as well as any payments collected while unlicensed.

A Retroactive license application carries all the requirements of an application for a regular license, plus an additional $10,000 civil fine.  A Retroactive license has an effective start date corresponding with a collection agency’s initial debt collection activity in Arkansas.  But unlike a new license, the period covered by a Retroactive license ends on the day it is issued. Any subsequent debt collection activities by the collection agency will then require a regular, new collection agency license.  (That is, a Retroactive license only covers the past, and only a new license extends into the future.)

If you would like to apply for a Retroactive license, please use the same application form as for a new license, linked above. Near the end of the application, you will have the option to add the $10K fine required for retroactive licensure.

Maintain Your Collection Agency License

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Use these forms to update or make changes to your existing license:

New Collector Registration 

All new collectors and solicitors must be registered within 90 days of hire. (A new employee terminated within their first 90 days does not have to be registered.) You can register new collectors and solicitors on a monthly, quarterly, or individual basis. If you are registering more than 25 new collectors, please use the spreadsheet format below to upload them during your application. THIS FORM CHARGES A REGISTRATION FEE OF $20.00 PER COLLECTOR/SOLICITOR.

Bulk Collector Template

Proposed Manager Information

This is the same form you submitted with your license application. If your agency’s manager ever changes, you will need to submit a Proposed Manager form for the new manager within 30 days of their hire or promotion. THIS FORM CHARGES A MANAGER REGISTRATION FEE OF $20.00.

Administrative Updates to your license

Use this form to provide updates to your agency’s address, surety bond, ownership, officers, etc. THERE IS NO CHARGE TO SUBMIT THIS FORM.  (Do not use this form to register new collectors!)

Surrender your License 

Use this form to surrender your Arkansas collection agency license.  THERE IS NO CHARGE TO SUBMIT THIS FORM.

Renew a Collection Agency License

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License Renewal Application

Collection agency licenses issued by the State of Arkansas expire annually on June 30* at midnight.  We accept license renewal applications from April 1 until June 30.  THIS FORM CHARGES A RENEWAL FEE OF $125.00, PLUS A REGISTRATION FEE OF $20.00 PER COLLECTOR.

If you fail to submit your completed renewal forms, fees, and related documents by June 30, you may experience a lapse in licensure. A collection agency that continues to operate without a valid license after June 30th may be subject to penalties of $50 to $500 per day.  We no longer accept late renewals.

*  New licenses issued on or after March 1 remain active until June 30 of the following year.  For example, a new collection agency license obtained on February 28, 2026 will expire on June 30, 2026.  But a license issued on March 1, 2026 would remain active until June 30, 2027.