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Credit Repair Business License, Bond & Registration Requirements by State

Credit Repair Business License Requirements by State

Last Updated: August 15, 2026

The short answer: there is no single national credit repair license. Federal law (CROA) sets conduct rules everywhere, and then each state decides whether you must also register or hold a license and post a surety bond before serving its residents. Texas, California, Maryland, Utah, Ohio, Illinois, and roughly two dozen other states have dedicated credit services organization (CSO) statutes; a minority have no dedicated statute at all; and Georgia effectively prohibits ordinary for-profit credit repair. This guide covers all 50 states on one page, with the federal rules every business must follow first.

Disclaimer: this guide is educational, not legal advice, and statutes change. Citations were compiled in good faith as of the Last Updated date; bond amounts, fees, and forms are only printed where we re-verified them. Always confirm current requirements with the state regulator (linked guidance: your Secretary of State, Attorney General, or financial-regulation office) and a licensed attorney before launching in any state.

Deep-Dive Guides: All 50 States, D.C. and Puerto Rico

Every jurisdiction below has a dedicated, question-by-question guide covering its statute, registration agency (where one exists), bond rule, contract and disclosure requirements, and a launch checklist. The summaries further down this page are the quick answer; these are the full ones — including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, which most state-by-state roundups leave out:

Jump to Your State

Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming

Federal Baseline #1: CROA (Applies in All 50 States)

The Credit Repair Organizations Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1679–1679j, governs every for-profit credit repair business in the United States, whether or not your state has its own statute. The pillars:

Our CROA contract guide breaks down the required contract clauses in detail.

Federal Baseline #2: The Telemarketing Sales Rule

If you sell by phone — including calling web leads — the FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule, 16 C.F.R. § 310.4(a)(2), is stricter than CROA: for telemarketed credit repair, you cannot request or receive payment until at least six months after the promised results are achieved and you’ve given the consumer documentation (like a report showing the improvement). Design your billing model around this before you build your sales funnel, not after.

What a “Surety Bond” Actually Means

Where a state requires a bond, you don’t park the full amount in escrow. A surety company guarantees the amount to the state, and you pay an annual premium — usually a small percentage of the bond figure, priced on your credit and history. The bond exists so consumers harmed by a statute violation have a source of recovery. Bond amounts vary by state and change by legislation, which is why the entries below tell you to confirm the current figure with the regulator rather than trusting a blog’s stale number — ours included.

Alabama

We did not locate a dedicated credit services organization statute for Alabama as of this update. That does not mean Alabama is unregulated: federal CROA applies in full, Alabama’s general consumer-protection (UDAP) law covers deceptive or unfair practices, and states add licensing and bonding rules over time. Confirm with the Alabama Attorney General’s consumer-protection division (and your registered agent or attorney) before serving Alabama consumers.

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Alabama

Alaska

We did not locate a dedicated credit services organization statute for Alaska as of this update. That does not mean Alaska is unregulated: federal CROA applies in full, Alaska’s general consumer-protection (UDAP) law covers deceptive or unfair practices, and states add licensing and bonding rules over time. Confirm with the Alaska Attorney General’s consumer-protection division (and your registered agent or attorney) before serving Alaska consumers.

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Alaska

Arizona

Arizona has a state statute covering credit repair: Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 44-1701 et seq. (credit services organizations). On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the Arizona Attorney General before signing your first Arizona client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Arizona

Arkansas

Arkansas has a state statute covering credit repair: Arkansas Credit Services Organizations Act, Ark. Code Ann. §§ 4-91-101 et seq.. On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the Arkansas Attorney General before signing your first Arkansas client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Arkansas

California

California regulates credit repair under the Credit Services Act of 1984, Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1789.10–1789.26. Credit services organizations must register with the California Department of Justice before doing business and maintain a $100,000 surety bond. The Act layers state contract and disclosure duties on top of CROA, and California’s cancellation window is longer than the federal three days (five days under the state act) — follow the stricter rule. Verify current registration forms and the bond amount with the California DOJ before launching.

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in California

Colorado

Colorado has a state statute covering credit repair: Colorado Credit Services Organization Act (historically codified at Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 12-14.5-101 et seq.; Colorado has since recodified Title 12, so verify the current citation). On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the Colorado Attorney General before signing your first Colorado client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Colorado

Connecticut

Connecticut has a state statute covering credit repair: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 36a-700 (credit clinics). On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the Connecticut Department of Banking before signing your first Connecticut client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Connecticut

Delaware

We did not locate a dedicated credit services organization statute for Delaware as of this update. That does not mean Delaware is unregulated: federal CROA applies in full, Delaware’s general consumer-protection (UDAP) law covers deceptive or unfair practices, and states add licensing and bonding rules over time. Confirm with the Delaware Attorney General’s consumer-protection division (and your registered agent or attorney) before serving Delaware consumers.

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Delaware

Florida

Florida has a state statute covering credit repair: Florida Credit Service Organizations Act, Fla. Stat. §§ 817.700–817.706. On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the Florida Attorney General before signing your first Florida client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Florida

Georgia

Georgia is the most restrictive state in the country: O.C.G.A. § 16-9-59 makes operating a for-profit credit repair services organization a criminal misdemeanor unless you fall within a statutory exemption (for example, licensed attorneys performing legal services, certain regulated lenders and banks, and bona fide nonprofit organizations). This is not a registration-and-bond state — it is a near-prohibition. Do not serve Georgia consumers for a fee without a written opinion from a Georgia-licensed attorney that your model fits an exemption.

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Georgia

Hawaii

We did not locate a dedicated credit services organization statute for Hawaii as of this update. That does not mean Hawaii is unregulated: federal CROA applies in full, Hawaii’s general consumer-protection (UDAP) law covers deceptive or unfair practices, and states add licensing and bonding rules over time. Confirm with the Hawaii Attorney General’s consumer-protection division (and your registered agent or attorney) before serving Hawaii consumers.

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Hawaii

Idaho

Idaho has a state statute covering credit repair: credit repair activity is regulated under the Idaho Collection Agency Act, Idaho Code tit. 26, ch. 22, which requires licensing through the Idaho Department of Finance. On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the Idaho Department of Finance before signing your first Idaho client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Idaho

Illinois

Illinois has a state statute covering credit repair: Illinois Credit Services Organizations Act, 815 ILCS 605 (registration with the Secretary of State and a surety bond are required). On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the Illinois Secretary of State before signing your first Illinois client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Illinois

Indiana

Indiana has a state statute covering credit repair: Ind. Code § 24-5-15 (credit services organizations; a surety bond filed in connection with the Attorney General’s office is required). On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the Indiana Attorney General before signing your first Indiana client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Indiana

Iowa

Iowa has a state statute covering credit repair: Iowa Code ch. 538A (credit service organizations). On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the Iowa Attorney General before signing your first Iowa client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Iowa

Kansas

Kansas has a state statute covering credit repair: Kansas Credit Services Organization Act, Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 50-1116 et seq. (registration runs through the Office of the State Bank Commissioner). On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner before signing your first Kansas client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Kansas

Kentucky

We did not locate a dedicated credit services organization statute for Kentucky as of this update. That does not mean Kentucky is unregulated: federal CROA applies in full, Kentucky’s general consumer-protection (UDAP) law covers deceptive or unfair practices, and states add licensing and bonding rules over time. Confirm with the Kentucky Attorney General’s consumer-protection division (and your registered agent or attorney) before serving Kentucky consumers.

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Kentucky

Louisiana

Louisiana has a state statute covering credit repair: Louisiana Credit Repair Services Organizations Act, La. Rev. Stat. §§ 9:3573.1 et seq.. On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the Louisiana Attorney General before signing your first Louisiana client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Louisiana

Maine

Maine has a state statute covering credit repair: Maine Consumer Credit Code — credit services organizations, Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 9-A, art. 10 (oversight by the Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection). On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection before signing your first Maine client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Maine

Maryland

Maryland has a state statute covering credit repair: Maryland Credit Services Businesses Act, Md. Code, Com. Law §§ 14-1901 et seq. Maryland is one of the strictest states: credit services businesses need an actual license through the Office of Financial Regulation, plus a surety bond. On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the Maryland Office of Financial Regulation before signing your first Maryland client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Maryland

Massachusetts

Massachusetts has a state statute covering credit repair: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 93, §§ 68A–68E (credit services organizations). On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the Massachusetts Attorney General before signing your first Massachusetts client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Massachusetts

Michigan

Michigan has a state statute covering credit repair: Michigan Credit Services Protection Act, Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 445.1821 et seq.. On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the Michigan Attorney General before signing your first Michigan client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Michigan

Minnesota

Minnesota has a state statute covering credit repair: Minn. Stat. §§ 332.52–332.60 (credit services organizations; registration and a bond run through the Department of Commerce). On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the Minnesota Department of Commerce before signing your first Minnesota client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Minnesota

Mississippi

We did not locate a dedicated credit services organization statute for Mississippi as of this update. That does not mean Mississippi is unregulated: federal CROA applies in full, Mississippi’s general consumer-protection (UDAP) law covers deceptive or unfair practices, and states add licensing and bonding rules over time. Confirm with the Mississippi Attorney General’s consumer-protection division (and your registered agent or attorney) before serving Mississippi consumers.

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Mississippi

Missouri

Missouri has a state statute covering credit repair: Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 407.635–407.644 (credit services organizations, within the Merchandising Practices chapter). On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the Missouri Attorney General before signing your first Missouri client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Missouri

Montana

We did not locate a dedicated credit services organization statute for Montana as of this update. That does not mean Montana is unregulated: federal CROA applies in full, Montana’s general consumer-protection (UDAP) law covers deceptive or unfair practices, and states add licensing and bonding rules over time. Confirm with the Montana Attorney General’s consumer-protection division (and your registered agent or attorney) before serving Montana consumers.

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Montana

Nebraska

Nebraska has a state statute covering credit repair: Nebraska Credit Services Organization Act, Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 45-801 et seq. (registration with the Secretary of State and a surety bond are required). On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the Nebraska Secretary of State before signing your first Nebraska client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Nebraska

Nevada

Nevada has a state statute covering credit repair: Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 598.741–598.787 (organizations for buying goods or services at a discount / credit services; registration and a bond are required). On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the Nevada Attorney General before signing your first Nevada client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Nevada

New Hampshire

New Hampshire has a state statute covering credit repair: Credit Services Organizations, RSA ch. 359-D. It imposes no state license or registration, but it does require a surety bond or trust account under RSA 359-D:8 if you receive money before services are fully completed (5 percent of the prior 12 months’ fees, minimum $5,000 and maximum $25,000, filed with the Secretary of State), a pre-contract information statement, and a five-day cancellation right — longer than CROA’s three business days. Confirm current requirements with the New Hampshire Secretary of State and the Department of Justice before serving New Hampshire consumers.

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in New Hampshire

New Jersey

We did not locate a dedicated credit services organization statute for New Jersey as of this update. That does not mean New Jersey is unregulated: federal CROA applies in full, New Jersey’s general consumer-protection (UDAP) law covers deceptive or unfair practices, and states add licensing and bonding rules over time. Confirm with the New Jersey Attorney General’s consumer-protection division (and your registered agent or attorney) before serving New Jersey consumers.

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in New Jersey

New Mexico

We did not locate a dedicated credit services organization statute for New Mexico as of this update. That does not mean New Mexico is unregulated: federal CROA applies in full, New Mexico’s general consumer-protection (UDAP) law covers deceptive or unfair practices, and states add licensing and bonding rules over time. Confirm with the New Mexico Attorney General’s consumer-protection division (and your registered agent or attorney) before serving New Mexico consumers.

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in New Mexico

New York

New York has a state statute covering credit repair: N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law art. 28-BB, §§ 458-a et seq. (credit services businesses; a surety bond is required). On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the New York Attorney General before signing your first New York client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in New York

North Carolina

North Carolina has a state statute covering credit repair: North Carolina Credit Repair Services Act, N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 66-220 et seq.. On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the North Carolina Attorney General before signing your first North Carolina client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in North Carolina

North Dakota

We did not locate a dedicated credit services organization statute for North Dakota as of this update. That does not mean North Dakota is unregulated: federal CROA applies in full, North Dakota’s general consumer-protection (UDAP) law covers deceptive or unfair practices, and states add licensing and bonding rules over time. Confirm with the North Dakota Attorney General’s consumer-protection division (and your registered agent or attorney) before serving North Dakota consumers.

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in North Dakota

Ohio

Ohio has a state statute covering credit repair: Ohio Credit Services Organization Act, Ohio Rev. Code ch. 4712 (registration and a surety bond are required). On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the Ohio Attorney General before signing your first Ohio client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Ohio

Oklahoma

Oklahoma has a state statute covering credit repair: Oklahoma Credit Services Organization Act, Okla. Stat. tit. 24, §§ 131 et seq.. On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — Oklahoma requires an actual license from the Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit (Okla. Stat. tit. 24, § 141) plus a $10,000 surety bond at the time of application — confirm the current forms and fees with that Department before signing your first Oklahoma client.

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Oklahoma

Oregon

Oregon has a state statute covering credit repair: Or. Rev. Stat. §§ 646.380–646.396 (credit services organizations). On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the Oregon Department of Justice before signing your first Oregon client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Oregon

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has a state statute covering credit repair: Pennsylvania Credit Services Act, 73 Pa. Stat. §§ 2181 et seq.. On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the Pennsylvania Attorney General before signing your first Pennsylvania client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

We did not locate a dedicated credit services organization statute for Rhode Island as of this update. That does not mean Rhode Island is unregulated: federal CROA applies in full, Rhode Island’s general consumer-protection (UDAP) law covers deceptive or unfair practices, and states add licensing and bonding rules over time. Confirm with the Rhode Island Attorney General’s consumer-protection division (and your registered agent or attorney) before serving Rhode Island consumers.

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Rhode Island

South Carolina

We did not locate a dedicated credit services organization statute for South Carolina as of this update. That does not mean South Carolina is unregulated: federal CROA applies in full, South Carolina’s general consumer-protection (UDAP) law covers deceptive or unfair practices, and states add licensing and bonding rules over time. Confirm with the South Carolina Attorney General’s consumer-protection division (and your registered agent or attorney) before serving South Carolina consumers.

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in South Carolina

South Dakota

We did not locate a dedicated credit services organization statute for South Dakota as of this update. That does not mean South Dakota is unregulated: federal CROA applies in full, South Dakota’s general consumer-protection (UDAP) law covers deceptive or unfair practices, and states add licensing and bonding rules over time. Confirm with the South Dakota Attorney General’s consumer-protection division (and your registered agent or attorney) before serving South Dakota consumers.

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in South Dakota

Tennessee

Tennessee has a state statute covering credit repair: Tennessee Credit Services Businesses provisions, Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 47-18-1001 et seq.. On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the Tennessee Attorney General before signing your first Tennessee client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Tennessee

Texas

Texas regulates credit repair under the Credit Services Organizations Act, Tex. Fin. Code ch. 393. CSOs register with the Texas Secretary of State and post a $10,000 surety bond (or an alternative form of security permitted by the statute) before doing business. Chapter 393 also imposes its own contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements on top of CROA. Verify the current registration procedure and security amount with the Secretary of State.

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Texas

Utah

Utah has a state statute covering credit repair: Utah Credit Services Organizations Act, Utah Code §§ 13-21-1 et seq. (registration and a surety bond are required). On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the Utah Division of Consumer Protection before signing your first Utah client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Utah

Vermont

We did not locate a dedicated credit services organization statute for Vermont as of this update. That does not mean Vermont is unregulated: federal CROA applies in full, Vermont’s general consumer-protection (UDAP) law covers deceptive or unfair practices, and states add licensing and bonding rules over time. Confirm with the Vermont Attorney General’s consumer-protection division (and your registered agent or attorney) before serving Vermont consumers.

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Vermont

Virginia

Virginia has a state statute covering credit repair: Virginia Credit Services Businesses Act, Va. Code §§ 59.1-335.1 et seq. (registration runs through the State Corporation Commission; a surety bond is required). On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the Virginia State Corporation Commission before signing your first Virginia client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Virginia

Washington

Washington has a state statute covering credit repair — but no license and no registration: the Washington Credit Services Organizations Act, chapter 19.134 RCW, contains no licensing or registration section at all. It does condition taking money before the work is finished on a $10,000 surety bond and an in-state trust account (RCW 19.134.020(1)(a)), requires a written information statement before any contract or payment (RCW 19.134.040–.050), a five-day cancellation right with a detachable Notice of Cancellation (RCW 19.134.060), and a monthly statement to every client (RCW 19.134.020(1)(c)). A violation is a gross misdemeanor and an unfair business practice under the Consumer Protection Act, chapter 19.86 RCW (RCW 19.134.070). Verify against the statute itself before signing your first Washington client.

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Washington

West Virginia

West Virginia has a state statute covering credit repair: W. Va. Code §§ 46A-6C-1 et seq. (credit services organizations, within the Consumer Credit and Protection Act). On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the West Virginia Attorney General before signing your first West Virginia client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wisconsin has a state statute covering credit repair: Wis. Stat. §§ 422.501–422.506 (credit services organizations under the Wisconsin Consumer Act; registration runs through the Department of Financial Institutions). On top of federal CROA, expect state-specific contract, disclosure, and cancellation requirements; where the statute calls for registration or a surety bond, the current forms, fees, and bond amount are set by the state — confirm current requirements with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions before signing your first Wisconsin client. (We deliberately don’t print bond dollar figures we haven’t re-verified this quarter — statutes change and stale numbers are worse than none.)

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Wisconsin

Wyoming

We did not locate a dedicated credit services organization statute for Wyoming as of this update. That does not mean Wyoming is unregulated: federal CROA applies in full, Wyoming’s general consumer-protection (UDAP) law covers deceptive or unfair practices, and states add licensing and bonding rules over time. Confirm with the Wyoming Attorney General’s consumer-protection division (and your registered agent or attorney) before serving Wyoming consumers.

→ Full guide: Credit repair business requirements in Wyoming

Next Steps for New (and Relocating) Credit Repair Businesses

Ultra Dispute — credit repair software built by a working credit repair business — launches Fall 2026. Join the early-access list.

State Licensing FAQ

Do I need a license to start a credit repair business?

It depends on the state. There is no federal license: the federal Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA) sets conduct rules, not a licensing scheme. But many states require credit services organizations to register or hold a license and post a surety bond before doing business (for example, Texas requires Secretary of State registration with a $10,000 bond and California requires DOJ registration with a $100,000 bond), while Georgia largely prohibits for-profit credit repair outright. Check the state entry on this page, then confirm with that state’s regulator.

What is a surety bond and why do states require one?

A surety bond is a three-party guarantee: a surety company promises the state that money is available to compensate consumers if your business violates the credit services statute. You pay an annual premium (typically a small percentage of the bond amount, based on credit and history) rather than depositing the full amount. States require bonds so harmed consumers have a recovery source; the required amount is set by each state’s statute.

Does the federal CROA apply in every state?

Yes. The Credit Repair Organizations Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1679–1679j, applies to for-profit credit repair services in all 50 states regardless of whether the state has its own statute. It bans charging before services are fully performed, requires a written contract and a separate consumer-rights disclosure, gives consumers a three-business-day cancellation right, and prohibits advising anyone to make untrue or misleading statements to a credit bureau.

Can I run a credit repair business in Georgia?

Generally no, not as an ordinary for-profit credit repair company. O.C.G.A. § 16-9-59 makes operating a credit repair services organization a criminal misdemeanor in Georgia unless you fit an exemption, such as licensed attorneys performing legal services, certain regulated lenders, or bona fide nonprofits. If you plan to serve Georgia consumers, get a written opinion from a Georgia-licensed attorney first.

What is the Telemarketing Sales Rule’s advance-fee ban for credit repair?

If you sell credit repair services by phone (including calls that follow web leads), the FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule, 16 C.F.R. § 310.4(a)(2), bars you from requesting or receiving payment until at least six months after the promised results are achieved and you have provided documentation, such as a consumer report demonstrating the promised improvements. It is stricter than CROA’s payment timing rule, so telemarketed sales need a compliance-first billing design.

Do state credit repair laws or CROA apply when my client lives in another state?

Plan for the consumer’s state to apply. State credit services statutes protect that state’s residents, so a business operating from Texas serving a Maryland resident should expect Maryland’s licensing rules to matter. Multi-state businesses typically satisfy the strictest state they serve or decline clients from states where they are not registered. CROA applies everywhere regardless.