Commercial Debt Collection Laws by State

Key differences across states

Statute of limitations varies dramatically — from 3 years (Maryland, South Carolina) to 10 years (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa). All states require third-party collectors to be licensed.

State	SOL Written	SOL Open Account	Licensing
Alabama	6 years	6 years	Required	View →
Alaska	3 years	3 years	Business License	View →
Arizona	6 years	6 years	Required	View →
Arkansas	5 years	3 years	Required	View →
California	4 years	4 years	DFPI Required	View →
Colorado	6 years	6 years	Required	View →
Connecticut	6 years	6 years	Required	View →
Delaware	3 years	3 years	Required	View →
Florida	5 years	4 years	Required	View →
Georgia	6 years	4 years	Required	View →
Hawaii	6 years	6 years	Required	View →
Idaho	5 years	5 years	Required	View →
Illinois	10 years	5 years	IDFPR Required	View →
Indiana	10 years	6 years	Required	View →
Iowa	10 years	5 years	Required	View →
Kansas	5 years	3 years	Required	View →
Kentucky	10 years	5 years	Required	View →
Louisiana	3 years	3 years	Required	View →
Maine	6 years	6 years	Required	View →
Maryland	3 years	3 years	Required	View →
Massachusetts	6 years	6 years	Required	View →
Michigan	6 years	6 years	Required	View →
Minnesota	6 years	6 years	Required	View →
Mississippi	3 years	3 years	Required	View →
Missouri	10 years	5 years	Required	View →
Montana	8 years	5 years	Required	View →
Nebraska	5 years	4 years	Required	View →
Nevada	6 years	6 years	Required	View →
New Hampshire	3 years	3 years	Required	View →
New Jersey	6 years	6 years	Required	View →
New Mexico	6 years	6 years	Required	View →
New York	6 years	6 years	DCA/DFS Required	View →
North Carolina	3 years	3 years	Required	View →
North Dakota	6 years	6 years	Required	View →
Ohio	6 years	6 years	Required	View →
Oklahoma	5 years	3 years	Required	View →
Oregon	6 years	6 years	DFR Required	View →
Pennsylvania	4 years	4 years	Required	View →
Rhode Island	10 years	10 years	Required	View →
South Carolina	3 years	3 years	Required	View →
South Dakota	6 years	6 years	Required	View →
Tennessee	6 years	6 years	TDFI Required	View →
Texas	4 years	4 years	Registration Req.	View →
Utah	6 years	4 years	Required	View →
Vermont	6 years	6 years	Required	View →
Virginia	5 years	3 years	Required	View →
Washington	6 years	6 years	DFI Required	View →
West Virginia	10 years	5 years	Required	View →
Wisconsin	6 years	6 years	Required	View →
Wyoming	8 years	8 years	Required	View →