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California Consumer Financial Protection Law
Information for New Registrants

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How to Register

  1. Create an NMLS account.If you do not have an NMLS account, you must first complete the Company Account Request Form. Once the request has been validated the users listed in the form will receive an email with the account login information in up to 5 business days. If the account cannot be created, NMLS will communicate with the submitter.
  2. Complete application forms. Once you can access NMLS, submit the following through NMLS to the DFPI.
    • Company Application
    • Biographical Statement and Consent Form
      • Submitted by Registered Companies for each Control Person (i.e., executive officer, qualified individual or branch manager)
      • For more information, see the Submitting an Individual (MU2) Form Quick Guide.Complete application forms.Once you can access NMLS, submit the following through NMLS to the DFPI.

    Note: If you have submitted these forms to another state, then you do not need to re-enter your company or branch records into NMLS. You will only need to identify the appropriate registration type in California and complete a few state-specific fields.

  3. Pay the application fee.There is application fee of $350 that will be invoiced through NMLS after the application is submitted. Additionally, NMLS will annually charge a processing fee per company registration renewed through the system. Fees are not refundable.
  4. Register for a DFPI self-service portal account.
    Once your registration has been approved through NMLS, you must create a self-service portal account with the DFPI by following these steps:

    • Click the link: Registration. Enter all required information.
    • For the question “Are you currently registered as a Covered Person with the CA DFPI?”, click “Yes” then click “Submit Registration”.
    • The screen will show a “Sign Up Confirmation” stating your request will be reviewed within five (5) business days.
    • DFPI Covered Persons staff will approve the request.
    • You will receive an email confirming your account has been activated. You can now provide a designated email address.

CCFPL Regulations FAQ

General FAQ (For Stakeholders, Legislators, Media and Partners)

1. When do the regulations go into effect?

The CCFPL regulations go into effect on Feb. 15, 2025. However, the CCFPL has been in place since 2021, giving the DFPI authority to protect Californians from unlawful, unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts and practices (UUDAAP) across the financial services marketplace. The Department has charged more than 300 violations under the CCFPL since it went into effect in 2021.

2. Why are they important to consumers and the financial marketplace?

The registration regulations add to the DFPI’s oversight by requiring formal supervision and data reporting from four industries not previously registered with the DFPI, which will allow for greater insight into emerging trends and potential risks to consumers.

3. What new protections do consumers receive from the new rules?

Consumers will now know if a company can legally operate in California by looking up their current registration on the DFPI website.

4. Are there other industries that will be required to register in the future?

The rulemaking process will determine which covered persons will be required to register with the Department. Future rulemaking packages may require providers of additional consumer financial products or services subject to the CCFPL to register with the Department.

To receive notices of DFPI rulemaking, subscribe to our e-mail subscription service.

5. Where can consumers file a complaint about regulated industries?

The DFPI plays a vital role in safeguarding consumers and promoting fairness among businesses in the financial marketplace, including providing a free and easy way for consumers to file complaints against financial institutions. For details, visit the DFPI File a Complaint webpage or contact us at [email protected] or call toll-free at (866) 275-2677.

New Registrants

1. How do I know if I need to register?

If you are a financial service provider operating in California in one of the four industry categories, you must complete an application and register with DFPI before Feb. 15, 2025:

  • Debt Settlement Services
  • Student Debt Relief Services
  • Private Postsecondary Education Financing
  • Income-Based Advances (also known as “earned wage access”)

To determine whether you fall under one of these categories, please refer to the definitions in sections 1001 – 1004 and exemptions in section 1010 of the regulations. Visit dfpi.ca.gov/CCFPL-registration for more information.

2. Are there any exemptions to registration under the CCFPL?

For information regarding exemptions to registration under the CCFPL for consumer financial products and services offered or provided to California residents, refer to California Financial Code sections 90002, 90006(e), and 90009(a)(2). Please note that activities conducted under the authority of licenses granted by other California state agencies are not subject to registration. This includes attorneys acting under the authority of their license to practice law in California. 

Further clarification on some of the exemptions can be found in California Code of Regulations, title 10, section 1010(b).

In addition, persons who do not “engage in the business” of offering to provide or providing subject products to California residents are not required to register. See California Code of Regulations, title 10, section 1010(a).

3. What fees will registrants be required to pay?

Registrants will be required to pay an application fee of $350 to the DFPI, and an annual NMLS renewal fee to NMLS. All fees will be invoiced through NMLS and are non-refundable.

Each registrant must also pay an annual registration fee to the DFPI, which is equal to its pro rata share of all costs and expenses reasonably incurred in the administration of the registration program as specified in California Code of Regulations, title 10, section 1040(a).  The minimum registration fee of $500 will be assessed for registrants who report no gross income or whose reported gross income from subject products would result in a registration fee of less than $500 under section 1040(a). See California Code of Regulations, title 10, section 1040(b).

The CCFPL also authorizes DFPI to bill for the reasonable and necessary costs of examinations.

4. What happens if providers do not submit an application to register by Feb. 15, 2025?

Financial service providers covered by the new registration regulations must file an application to register, including payment of all required registration fees, before Feb. 15, 2025, to continue operating legally in the state. After this date, no person shall engage in the business of offering or providing the subject products in the regulations to California residents without an application for registration submitted to DFPI.

If the application for registration was filed on or after Feb. 15, 2025, the applicant is required to have an approved registration to engage in the business of offering or providing the subject products in the regulations to California residents.

For more information, see California Code of Regulations, title 10, section 1010(a) and (c).

5. How long will the registration requirements be in effect?

Regulations requiring a covered person to register with the department become inoperative on January 1st of the calendar year that is four (4) years following the initial year registration was required, unless the Legislature takes action to extend the registration or to incorporate the scope of the activity in which the covered person is authorized to engage into a new or existing licensing law.

The registration regulations that became effective on February 15, 2025, is set to be inoperative on January 1, 2029, if the Legislature does not take any action as mentioned above. See Financial Code section 90009.5(b).

Registration Application Process

1. I need help with navigating/accessing the NMLS system. Who do I call for help?

If you have general NMLS questions about navigation and access, please contact the NMLS Call Center at 1-855-NMLS-123 (1-855-665-7123).  You can also find useful links at NMLS Resource Center – Contact Us page. 

2. How do I find out the status of my registration application?

Log into your NMLS account to view the license status of your registration application. For additional information on your license status, you may refer to the NMLS License Status Review & Definitions quick guide or call NMLS at (855) 665-7123. 

3. I received an email from NMLS stating a license item was added to my application. What is a license item?

A license item is added to your NMLS record to notify you of any missing or incomplete information that is still required to complete the review of your application. License items may indicate items are missing or incomplete and will include instructions on how to submit the information. Once you have completed the license item(s) in NMLS, we will review the information and let you know if the information provided satisfies the requirement.

4. Where do I find application requirements to register?

You can find registration requirements in California Code of Regulations, title 10, section 1021.

In addition, you can find State Checklists on the NMLS website to assist you with application requirements using the following steps:

  • Using the “Licensing & Registration” drop-down menu, select “State Checklists and Fees”.
  • Using the Checklist Complier, find “CA-DFPI” and click the arrow (“>”).
  • Go to “Company” and locate the corresponding CCFPL Registration.

Once you click on the CCFPL Registration, the checklist will appear.

5. Can I submit all the CCFPL Registration Supplemental Information required in one email?

Yes.  CCFPL Registration applicants may submit all required supplemental information in one email to [email protected].  Please include in the email subject line the Subject Product, Company Name, and “Supplement Information”.

For Example:  Education Financing – ABC, Inc. – Supplemental Information

6. Is a background or credit check required to get registered under the CCFPL?

No.  CCFPL registrations do not require background or credit checks.  Applicants may still be subject to background or credit checks when applying for or holding other licenses with the DFPI.

Supervision

1. As a covered person, will my business be subject to examination?

The Department may conduct regulatory examinations of any covered person subject to the CCFPL, including both registrants and non-registrants. These examinations will seek to monitor compliance with consumer financial protection laws and detect any unlawful, unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts and practices.

2. Will prior notice be received before an examination is conducted?

For non-registered covered persons, the department may conduct an examination by order after notice that it has determined the covered person is offering or providing financial products or services subject to the CCFPL.  See Financial Code section 90010(a)(3).

For registrants, the department is not required to provide prior notice to conduct an examination but may do so as a courtesy.

Laws & Regulations

1. What is the California Consumer Financial Protection Law (CCFPL)?

The California Consumer Financial Protection Law is in Division 24 sections 90000 – 90019.  You can find the CCFPL financial code here.

In 2020, the California State Legislature passed the CCFPL as AB 1864 (Limón, Chapter 157, Statutes of 2020). Identifying gaps in consumer protection due to strict definitions in existing licensing laws, this law provided the DFPI with the appropriate authority to oversee areas of the financial marketplace previously unregulated in California, including debt settlement and debt relief services, private postsecondary education financing products, and income-based advance products. For more information on the CCFPL, visit dfpi.ca.gov/ca-consumer-financial-protection-law/.

2. Where do I find the regulations related to the CCFPL?

You can stay updated on CCFPL related rulemaking through the CCFPL Laws and Regulations webpage on the DFPI website.

3. How do I sign up for CCFPL or industry-specific updates?

To receive updates from DFPI, visit dfpi.ca.gov/subscribe.

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