Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee Title 0320 - Collection Service Board
Here is a comprehensive overview of Title 0320 – Rules & Regulations of the Tennessee Collection Service Board:
📋 Chapters in Title 0320
0320‑01: Licensing
Covers qualifications for collection-service applicants and location managers, required exams, license and location fees, bonding/financial statement requirements, solicitor ID cards, license renewal, transfers, and change-of-ownership protocols (law.cornell.edu, fair-debt-collection.com).
0320‑02: Rules of Conduct
Prohibits deceptive practices such as misrepresenting contracts, using tiny print (<10 pt), soliciting under ambiguous contracts, implying a false "legal department," or deceptive stationery (regulations.justia.com).
0320‑03: Rules of Procedure for Hearing Contested Cases
Establishes procedures for hearings, appeals, and contested-case formalities before the Board (law.cornell.edu).
0320‑04: Civil Penalties
Details fines and penalties for various violations of the rules or license requirements (law.cornell.edu, tnsos.org).
0320‑05: Standards of Practice
Elaborates on acceptable debt-collection behaviors, including:
Definitions of key terms such as "consumer," "collector," etc. (regulations.justia.com)
Communication Bounds: Strict limits on when and how collectors may contact consumers or third parties, including time limits (between 8 a.m.–9 p.m.), representation by an attorney, and rules for cease-and-desist orders
Harassment/Abuse: Explicit forbiddance of threats, obscene language, publishing debtor lists, repeated calls, and anonymous calls
🔍 Key Highlights
Licensing & Bond Requirements
Applicants must be “trustworthy,” financially solvent, and competent. Licenses (and location manager permits) must be renewed annually, display solicitation ID, and maintain adequate trust accounts and financial records (fair-debt-collection.com).
Prohibited Conduct
Includes misrepresentation of services, hidden fees, deceptive forms or business titles, and implying unauthorized legal affiliations .
Standards of Practice include:
Communications restricted to 8 a.m.–9 p.m., avoiding undue time/venue inconvenience, and not contacting third parties except as permitted (law.cornell.edu).
Harassment and abuse are banned, including use of profanity, threats, repeated calls, or obscured caller identity (regulations.justia.com).
🔧 Enforcement & Penalties
Disciplinary Actions
The Board can impose fines, suspend or revoke licenses for violations. Grounds include fraudulent licensure, unauthorized fees, failure to remit funds timely, non-compliance with state/federal laws, and more (fair-debt-collection.com).
Contested-Case Procedures
Provides a formal hearing mechanism and rules for appeal in contested disciplinary matters (law.cornell.edu, sos.tn.gov).
📌 Useful References
Official regulatory text: publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0320/ (publications.tnsosfiles.com)
TN.gov Collection Service Board overview (licensing, enforcement, complaints): TN Department of Commerce & Insurance (tn.gov)
Cornell's chapter summaries with filing dates and amendments
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