{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/6.2-2000.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/6.2-2000.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/6.2-2000.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/6.2-2000.html"}],"law_id":74235,"edition_id":1,"section_id":74235,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2000","catch_line":"Definitions","history":"2004, c. 790, \u00a7\u00a7 6.1-363.2, 6.1-363.7; 2005, c. 315; 2010, c. 794; 2011, c. 307.","full_text":"As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Agency” means any person that provides or offers to provide debt management plans for consumers.\n\t\t“Consumer” means an individual residing in the Commonwealth who owes money to one or more creditors, for personal, family, or household purposes, including an individual who owes money jointly with one or more other individuals.\n\t\t“Credit counselor” means an employee or agent of an agency who designs a debt management plan, provides consumer budget and basic financial planning services, or engages in debt settlement or debt pooling and distribution services on a consumer’s behalf. “Credit counselor” does not include licensed certified public accountants or licensed certified public accounting firms engaging in usual and customary services performed on behalf of clients.\n\t\t“Creditor” or “credit-granting organization” does not include (i) doctors, lawyers, or other professionals who receive payment for their services in installments or (ii) persons whose only participation in a credit transaction is to honor a credit card.\n\t\t“Debt collector” means a person defined as a debt collector under 15 U.S.C. \u00a7 1692a of the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C. \u00a7 1692 et seq.).\n\t\t“Debt management plan” or “DMP” means a program whereby a person agrees to engage in debt pooling and distribution services on behalf of a consumer, or multiple consumers if a joint account.\n\t\t“Debt pooling and distribution service” means an arrangement whereby a consumer gives money or control of his funds to a person for distribution to the consumer’s creditors.\n\t\t“Debt settlement” means any action or negotiation initiated or taken by or on behalf of any consumer with any creditor of the consumer for the purpose of obtaining debt forgiveness of a portion of the credit extended by the creditor to the consumer or reduction of payments, charges, or fees payable by the consumer.\n\t\t“Duplicate original” means an exact copy with signatures created by the same impression as the original, or an exact copy bearing an original signature, or in the case of an electronic transaction, an electronic version with electronic signatures.\n\t\t“Electronic signature” means a signature as defined in \u00a7 59.1-480.\n\t\t“Licensee” means a person licensed under this chapter.\n\t\t“Maintenance fee” means a fee paid by a consumer to an agency for the administration of a DMP.\n\t\t“Principal” means any person who, directly or indirectly, owns or controls (i) 10 percent or more of the outstanding stock of a stock corporation or (ii) a 10 percent or greater interest in a person.\n\t\t“Set-up fee” means a fee paid by a consumer to an agency for the establishment of a DMP.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":266923,"text":"As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Agency” means any person that provides or offers to provide debt management plans for consumers.\n\t\t“Consumer” means an individual residing in the Commonwealth who owes money to one or more creditors, for personal, family, or household purposes, including an individual who owes money jointly with one or more other individuals.\n\t\t“Credit counselor” means an employee or agent of an agency who designs a debt management plan, provides consumer budget and basic financial planning services, or engages in debt settlement or debt pooling and distribution services on a consumer’s behalf. “Credit counselor” does not include licensed certified public accountants or licensed certified public accounting firms engaging in usual and customary services performed on behalf of clients.\n\t\t“Creditor” or “credit-granting organization” does not include (i) doctors, lawyers, or other professionals who receive payment for their services in installments or (ii) persons whose only participation in a credit transaction is to honor a credit card.\n\t\t“Debt collector” means a person defined as a debt collector under 15 U.S.C. \u00a7 1692a of the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C. \u00a7 1692 et seq.).\n\t\t“Debt management plan” or “DMP” means a program whereby a person agrees to engage in debt pooling and distribution services on behalf of a consumer, or multiple consumers if a joint account.\n\t\t“Debt pooling and distribution service” means an arrangement whereby a consumer gives money or control of his funds to a person for distribution to the consumer’s creditors.\n\t\t“Debt settlement” means any action or negotiation initiated or taken by or on behalf of any consumer with any creditor of the consumer for the purpose of obtaining debt forgiveness of a portion of the credit extended by the creditor to the consumer or reduction of payments, charges, or fees payable by the consumer.\n\t\t“Duplicate original” means an exact copy with signatures created by the same impression as the original, or an exact copy bearing an original signature, or in the case of an electronic transaction, an electronic version with electronic signatures.\n\t\t“Electronic signature” means a signature as defined in \u00a7 59.1-480.\n\t\t“Licensee” means a person licensed under this chapter.\n\t\t“Maintenance fee” means a fee paid by a consumer to an agency for the administration of a DMP.\n\t\t“Principal” means any person who, directly or indirectly, owns or controls (i) 10 percent or more of the outstanding stock of a stock corporation or (ii) a 10 percent or greater interest in a person.\n\t\t“Set-up fee” means a fee paid by a consumer to an agency for the establishment of a DMP.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13648,"edition_id":1,"name":"Agencies Providing Debt Management Plans","identifier":"20","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13060,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:28","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:28","permalink":{"id":266625,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13648,"identifier":"20","token":"6.2\/III\/20","url":"\/6.2\/III\/20\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13060,"edition_id":1,"name":"Other Regulated Providers of Financial Services","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12852,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:12","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:12","permalink":{"id":265721,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13060,"identifier":"III","token":"6.2\/III","url":"\/6.2\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12852,"edition_id":1,"name":"Financial Institutions and Services","identifier":"6.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","permalink":{"id":263249,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12852,"identifier":"6.2","token":"6.2","url":"\/6.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":74235,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2000","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/6.2-2000\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2000","metadata":false},{"id":85410,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2001","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) License requirement; exceptions","url":"\/6.2-2001\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2001","metadata":false},{"id":86912,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2002","catch_line":"Application for license; form; content; fee","url":"\/6.2-2002\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2002","metadata":false},{"id":71684,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2003","catch_line":"Bond required","url":"\/6.2-2003\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2003","metadata":false},{"id":70236,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2004","catch_line":"Investigation of applications","url":"\/6.2-2004\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2004","metadata":false},{"id":65887,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2005","catch_line":"Qualifications","url":"\/6.2-2005\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2005","metadata":false},{"id":86118,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2006","catch_line":"Licenses; places of business; changes","url":"\/6.2-2006\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2006","metadata":false},{"id":54620,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2007","catch_line":"Acquisition of control; application","url":"\/6.2-2007\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2007","metadata":false},{"id":56125,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2008","catch_line":"Retention of books, accounts, and records; responding to Bureau","url":"\/6.2-2008\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2008","metadata":false},{"id":65169,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2009","catch_line":"Annual report","url":"\/6.2-2009\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2009","metadata":false},{"id":82369,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2010","catch_line":"Other reporting requirements","url":"\/6.2-2010\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2010","metadata":false},{"id":68502,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2011","catch_line":"Investigations; examinations","url":"\/6.2-2011\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2011","metadata":false},{"id":68088,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2012","catch_line":"Annual fees","url":"\/6.2-2012\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2012","metadata":false},{"id":63358,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2013","catch_line":"Regulations","url":"\/6.2-2013\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2013","metadata":false},{"id":72079,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2014","catch_line":"Required and prohibited business methods","url":"\/6.2-2014\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2014","metadata":false},{"id":75090,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2015","catch_line":"Fees and contributions","url":"\/6.2-2015\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2015","metadata":false},{"id":78388,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2016","catch_line":"Additional charges","url":"\/6.2-2016\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2016","metadata":false},{"id":59347,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2017","catch_line":"Advertising","url":"\/6.2-2017\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2017","metadata":false},{"id":67990,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2018","catch_line":"Suspension or revocation of license","url":"\/6.2-2018\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2018","metadata":false},{"id":75871,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2019","catch_line":"Cease and desist orders","url":"\/6.2-2019\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2019","metadata":false},{"id":74097,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2020","catch_line":"Notice of proposed suspension or revocation","url":"\/6.2-2020\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2020","metadata":false},{"id":76436,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2021","catch_line":"Civil penalties","url":"\/6.2-2021\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2021","metadata":false},{"id":54964,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2022","catch_line":"Criminal penalty","url":"\/6.2-2022\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2022","metadata":false},{"id":54724,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2023","catch_line":"Private right of action","url":"\/6.2-2023\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2023","metadata":false},{"id":67756,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2024","catch_line":"Authority of Attorney General; referral by Commission to Attorney General","url":"\/6.2-2024\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2024","metadata":false},{"id":78691,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2025","catch_line":"Violation of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act","url":"\/6.2-2025\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2025","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":85410,"structure_id":13648,"section_number":"6.2-2001","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) License requirement; exceptions","url":"\/6.2-2001\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2001","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/6.2-2000\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2004. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 790<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2005, chapter 315<\/a>; in 2010, chapter 794<\/a>; in 2011, chapter 307<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":57956,"section_number":"57-60","catch_line":"Exemptions","order_by":null,"url":"\/57-60\/"},{"id":82977,"section_number":"59.1-200","catch_line":"Prohibited practices","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-200\/"},{"id":55395,"section_number":"6.2-2027","catch_line":"License requirement; exceptions","order_by":null,"url":"\/6.2-2027\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":69066,"section_number":"59.1-480","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-480\/"}],"permalink":{"id":266627,"object_type":"law","relational_id":74235,"identifier":"6.2-2000","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2000","url":"\/6.2-2000\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/6.2-2000\/","token":"6.2\/III\/20\/6.2-2000","dublin_core":{"Title":"Definitions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 6.2-2000","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Agency<\/span>” means any person<\/span> that provides or offers to provide debt management plans<\/span> for consumers<\/span>.\n\t\t“Consumer<\/span>” means an individual residing in the Commonwealth who owes money to one or more creditors<\/span>, for personal, family, or household purposes, including an individual who owes money jointly with one or more other individuals.\n\t\t“Credit counselor<\/span>” means an employee or agent of an agency<\/span> who designs a debt management plan<\/span>, provides consumer<\/span> budget and basic financial planning services, or engages in debt settlement<\/span> or debt pooling and distribution services<\/span> on a consumer<\/span>’s behalf. “Credit counselor<\/span>” does not include licensed certified public accountants or licensed certified public accounting firms engaging in usual and customary services performed on behalf of clients.\n\t\t“Creditor<\/span>” or “credit-granting organization” does not include (i) doctors, lawyers, or other professionals who receive payment for their services in installments or (ii) persons<\/span> whose only participation in a credit transaction is to honor a credit card.\n\t\t“Debt collector<\/span>” means a person<\/span> defined as a debt collector<\/span> under 15 U.S.C. \u00a7 1692a of the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C. \u00a7 1692 et seq.).\n\t\t“Debt management plan<\/span>” or “DMP<\/span>” means a program whereby a person<\/span> agrees to engage in debt pooling and distribution services<\/span> on behalf of a consumer<\/span>, or multiple consumers<\/span> if a joint account.\n\t\t“Debt pooling and distribution service<\/span>” means an arrangement whereby a consumer<\/span> gives money or control of his funds to a person<\/span> for distribution to the consumer<\/span>’s creditors<\/span>.\n\t\t“Debt settlement<\/span>” means any action or negotiation initiated or taken by or on behalf of any consumer<\/span> with any creditor<\/span> of the consumer<\/span> for the purpose of obtaining debt forgiveness of a portion of the credit extended by the creditor<\/span> to the consumer<\/span> or reduction of payments, charges, or fees payable by the consumer<\/span>.\n\t\t“Duplicate original<\/span>” means an exact copy with signatures created by the same impression as the original, or an exact copy bearing an original signature, or in the case of an electronic transaction, an electronic version with electronic signatures<\/span>.\n\t\t“Electronic signature<\/span>” means a signature as defined in \u00a7 59.1-480<\/a>.\n\t\t“Licensee<\/span>” means a person<\/span> licensed under this chapter.\n\t\t“Maintenance fee<\/span>” means a fee paid by a consumer<\/span> to an agency<\/span> for the administration of a DMP<\/span>.\n\t\t“Principal<\/span>” means any person<\/span> who, directly or indirectly, owns or controls (i) 10 percent or more of the outstanding stock of a stock corporation or (ii) a 10 percent or greater interest in a person<\/span>.\n\t\t“Set-up fee<\/span>” means a fee paid by a consumer<\/span> to an agency<\/span> for the establishment of a DMP<\/span>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDEFINITIONS (\u00a7 6.2-2000)\n\nAs used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Agency” means any person that provides or offers to provide debt\nmanagement plans for consumers.\n\t\t“Consumer” means an individual residing in the Commonwealth who\nowes money to one or more creditors, for personal, family, or household\npurposes, including an individual who owes money jointly with one or more other\nindividuals.\n\t\t“Credit counselor” means an employee or agent of an agency who\ndesigns a debt management plan, provides consumer budget and basic financial\nplanning services, or engages in debt settlement or debt pooling and\ndistribution services on a consumer’s behalf. “Credit\ncounselor” does not include licensed certified public accountants or\nlicensed certified public accounting firms engaging in usual and customary\nservices performed on behalf of clients.\n\t\t“Creditor” or “credit-granting organization” does not\ninclude (i) doctors, lawyers, or other professionals who receive payment for\ntheir services in installments or (ii) persons whose only participation in a\ncredit transaction is to honor a credit card.\n\t\t“Debt collector” means a person defined as a debt collector under\n15 U.S.C. \u00a7 1692a of the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C.\n\u00a7 1692 et seq.).\n\t\t“Debt management plan” or “DMP” means a program\nwhereby a person agrees to engage in debt pooling and distribution services on\nbehalf of a consumer, or multiple consumers if a joint account.\n\t\t“Debt pooling and distribution service” means an arrangement\nwhereby a consumer gives money or control of his funds to a person for\ndistribution to the consumer’s creditors.\n\t\t“Debt settlement” means any action or negotiation initiated or\ntaken by or on behalf of any consumer with any creditor of the consumer for the\npurpose of obtaining debt forgiveness of a portion of the credit extended by the\ncreditor to the consumer or reduction of payments, charges, or fees payable by\nthe consumer.\n\t\t“Duplicate original” means an exact copy with signatures created\nby the same impression as the original, or an exact copy bearing an original\nsignature, or in the case of an electronic transaction, an electronic version\nwith electronic signatures.\n\t\t“Electronic signature” means a signature as defined in \u00a7\n59.1-480.\n\t\t“Licensee” means a person licensed under this chapter.\n\t\t“Maintenance fee” means a fee paid by a consumer to an agency for\nthe administration of a DMP.\n\t\t“Principal” means any person who, directly or indirectly, owns or\ncontrols (i) 10 percent or more of the outstanding stock of a stock corporation\nor (ii) a 10 percent or greater interest in a person.\n\t\t“Set-up fee” means a fee paid by a consumer to an agency for the\nestablishment of a DMP.\n\nHISTORY: 2004, c. 790, \u00a7\u00a7 6.1-363.2, 6.1-363.7; 2005, c. 315; 2010, c. 794;\n2011, c. 307.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}