PCS Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield PCS facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is the primary ethical obligation of a PCS professional when a conflict of interest arises during state & federal collection laws activities? → Disclose the conflict to all relevant parties and recuse from the decision if necessary
2. Which consumer protection law requires collectors to provide a model validation notice and governs electronic communication options in debt collection? → Regulation F (implementing the FDCPA)
3. A consumer disputes a debt in writing AFTER the 30-day validation period. The collector should: → Continue collection but may not report the debt as undisputed without noting the dispute
4. Under Regulation F, how many times may a debt collector call a consumer about a specific debt within a seven-day period? → No more than 7 times
5. In collection software, what does an 'account scrub' typically refer to? → Checking accounts against DNC, bankruptcy, and deceased debtor lists
6. A collector receives a payment of $150 on a $500 balance. Which of the following must be documented in the account file? → Payment amount, date received, method of payment, and who authorized it
7. An account file shows a $1,200 balance, but the debtor claims they only owe $800. What documentation should the collector review first? → The original account agreement and itemized statement of charges
8. How long are collection agencies generally required to retain account file records after an account is closed or resolved? → The retention period varies by state but is commonly 5–7 years
9. How should a collection agency document an account when a debtor verbally disputes the debt during a phone call? → Log the dispute in the account notes with date, time, and nature of the dispute
10. Which professional organization administers the PCS (Professional Collection Specialist) certification? → ACA International
11. Which of the following is an example of an 'unfair practice' prohibited under FDCPA §808? → Collecting a fee not authorized by the agreement or permitted by law
12. What is the importance of documenting communication in debt collection? → It provides evidence of all communications and agreements made
13. Which feature in collection software helps prevent collectors from leaving voicemails that violate FDCPA §805(b) by disclosing the debt to third parties? → Voicemail scripting restrictions and consent verification gates
14. What is the primary goal of account management in debt collection? → To maintain a balance between debt recovery and positive debtor relations
15. Which of the following describes the proper way to correct an error in a handwritten account note? → Draw a single line through the error, initial it, and add the correct information
16. In collection software reporting, 'liquidation rate' measures: → The percentage of the total debt balance actually collected over a given period
17. Under Regulation F, a debt collector is limited to how many telephone call attempts to a consumer per week? → 7 attempts
18. Which action constitutes 're-aging' a debt, which is prohibited under the FCRA? → Updating a tradeline with a new delinquency date to extend the 7-year reporting period
19. Under the FCRA, a data furnisher must investigate a consumer dispute within how many days? → 30 days (extendable to 45 days with additional consumer info)
20. A PCS professional encounters an unfamiliar situation while performing collection software & dialers duties. What is the most appropriate first action? → Consult relevant standards, guidelines, or a qualified supervisor before proceeding
21. Which quality assurance method is most commonly applied in collection software & dialers to verify that PCS professional standards are being met? → Structured audits, peer reviews, and performance metrics aligned with industry benchmarks
22. What is the significance of documenting the statute of limitations (SOL) expiration date in an account file? → It prevents collectors from making legally actionable threats on time-barred debts
23. Which of the following best describes the role of a 'dispute log' in an account file? → A chronological record of all disputes raised by the debtor and the agency's responses
24. A PCS professional encounters an unfamiliar situation while performing bankruptcy stay & proof of claim duties. What is the most appropriate first action? → Consult relevant standards, guidelines, or a qualified supervisor before proceeding
25. When a debtor claims to have already paid an account, the collector's best immediate action is to: → Place the account on hold and request documentation from both parties
26. Which document in an account file establishes the legal right of the collection agency to collect the specific debt? → The chain of title or assignment documentation
27. Which collection strategy prioritizes accounts most likely to produce payment based on statistical scoring models? → Segmentation and scoring
28. A PCS professional encounters an unfamiliar situation while performing account file documentation duties. What is the most appropriate first action? → Consult relevant standards, guidelines, or a qualified supervisor before proceeding
29. Under the TCPA, before calling a debtor's cell phone using an autodialer or prerecorded message, a collector must generally have: → Prior express consent from the debtor to be called on that number
30. What is the benefit of offering payment plans to debtors? → It creates flexibility and helps recover the full debt