Collection / ARM in Texas

Third-party debt collector bond / registration (Occupations Code Ch. 396)

Statewide license State license generally required

Filing path File through the state portal or board

Agency Texas Secretary of State

Who needs this in Texas

A third-party debt collector that collects consumer debts in Texas generally must file a surety bond and related registration with the Secretary of State under Occupations Code Chapter 396. This is not an OCCC, SML, or Department of Banking license.

Where to file

File the Chapter 396 bond and notice with the Texas Secretary of State. If you also buy debt, make loans, or transmit money, those are separate OCCC or DOB authorities.

Federal overlay

State licensing does not replace the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, CFPB Regulation F, or the TCPA. Those rules apply whether or not a state issues a license.

Sources

Other Texas filings

Consumer & commercial lending

Who needs it in Texas, and which desk takes the filing.

Money transmitters

Who needs it in Texas, and which desk takes the filing.

Mortgage

Who needs it in Texas, and which desk takes the filing.

Collection / ARM in other states

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All collection / arm states · All Texas licenses · NMLS guide

Cornerstone on collection / arm

Agency names and filing paths are public facts from state regulator sites, the NMLS / CSBS agency directory, and published statutes. License categories and exemptions change. Confirm the current checklist on the official site before you apply. This is not legal advice and not a fee schedule.