The State Board of Collection Agencies (SBCA) was created by the General Assembly in 1965 to regulate collection agency activities in Arkansas. Collection agencies must be licensed if: (1) they are located in Arkansas or (2) they contact debtors in Arkansas. The mission of the SBCA is to protect debtors who are being contacted by collection agencies from unfair debt collection practices, as well as creditors who entrust or transfer their delinquent accounts to collection agencies. It is our goal to prevent unethical collection activities, to ensure compliance with Arkansas debt collection laws, and to educate Arkansans regarding their rights when dealing with a collection agency.  The SBCA investigates complaints of unethical collection practices, prohibited collection charges, and unlicensed activity.

In 2009, the General Assembly passed the Arkansas Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) to provide additional protections to consumers. 

In 2019, the State Board of Collection Agencies joined the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing.