ACA State Guide Explained for Collection Agencies, Debt Buyers, and Creditors
What is the ACA State Guide?
The ACA State Guide is a subscription-based compliance tool developed by ACA International. It organizes and updates the rules, regulations, and requirements that govern debt collection, first-party collections, debt buying, student loan servicing, and related activities across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 3 U.S. territories.
Instead of searching through hundreds of pages of regulations, the State Guide provides information in a structured, searchable, and exportable format that makes compliance easier to manage.
Key features include:
- AI-powered search to ask plain-language questions and find direct answers
- Customizable spreadsheets by state, topic, or compliance category
- Topical PDFs that make it easy to share information across departments
- Monthly updates with clear change logs
Industry professionals often call it their “regulatory Bible.”
Why the ACA State Guide Matters
Staying compliant is not only a legal requirement—it is also a competitive advantage. Clients, regulators, and investors want assurance that your organization is monitoring state-level compliance. The ACA State Guide provides a single resource that helps agencies, debt buyers, and creditors do just that.
Even better, the tool supports multiple departments across an organization, making it more than just a compliance reference.
How Different Departments Use the State Guide
Compliance Teams
- Track new laws, regulations, and court decisions
- Update company policies and procedures with confidence
- Prepare for licensing, audits, and regulatory inquiries
Operations and Collections Teams
- Access clear state-specific rules for calls, letters, and garnishments
- Train collectors with the most current requirements
- Reduce the risk of compliance errors that could lead to complaints or penalties
Sales and Business Development
- Use the State Guide to demonstrate compliance readiness in RFPs
- Provide reassurance to potential clients about proactive compliance practices
- Build credibility and trust with creditor partners
Training Departments
- Export customized spreadsheets for relevant states and topics
- Create training materials that are focused and accurate
- Provide new collectors with practical, state-specific guidance
Finance and Audit Teams
- Review trust accounting and bonding requirements
- Use the State Guide as a checklist for audits
- Document compliance efforts for clients and regulators
The ROI of the ACA State Guide
The ACA State Guide is priced to provide significant value. For about the cost of a single attorney call, your organization gains a full year of access to compliance information across all states.
Benefits include:
- Time savings from centralized research
- Risk reduction from proactive monitoring
- Client confidence through third-party validation
FAQs About the ACA State Guide
What is the ACA State Guide?
The ACA State Guide is a compliance tool from ACA International that organizes debt collection and receivables management laws across all 50 states, DC, and territories in a structured, searchable format.
Who uses the ACA State Guide?
Collection agencies, debt buyers, and creditors use it across compliance, operations, sales, training, and finance teams.
How often is the State Guide updated?
The State Guide is updated monthly with new laws, regulations, and court decisions, along with change logs to track what has been added.
How does the AI tool help?
The AI-powered search feature allows users to ask questions in plain language and receive direct answers, making it faster and easier to find the information they need.
Final Thoughts
The ACA State Guide is more than a compliance resource. It is a practical tool that makes compliance structured, searchable, and exportable for every department in an organization. For collection agencies, debt buyers, and creditors, it has become an essential way to save time, reduce risk, and demonstrate compliance to clients and regulators.
Whether you are new to the receivables management industry or an experienced professional, the State Guide offers a powerful advantage in navigating complex regulatory environments.
To learn more about the ACA State Guide, visit ACA International.
