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. An abstract of judgment is a document that: → Creates a lien on real property in the county where it is recorded
3. What does 'right party contact' (RPC) mean in telephone collections? → Successfully connecting with the actual consumer who owes the debt, not a third party
4. What is 'skip tracing' in the context of telephone collections? → The process of locating a debtor who has moved or whose contact information is outdated
5. 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)
6. What is a 'hardship program' in the context of debt collection? → A reduced payment or interest waiver offered to debtors experiencing financial difficulty
7. Which statement about state statute of limitations on debt collection lawsuits is CORRECT? → States set their own statutes of limitations, which vary by debt type
8. Under the FDCPA, which of the following is a permissible reason to contact a third party other than the consumer? → To obtain location information such as the consumer's address or phone number
9. 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
10. When a consumer disputes a debt on a recorded call, what is the most important action for the collector? → Note the dispute in the account record and initiate the verification process
11. 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
12. In most states, a debtor's primary residence (homestead) may be protected from forced sale to satisfy a judgment by: → State homestead exemption laws
13. A collection account first became delinquent on March 1, 2019. When must this account be removed from the consumer's credit report? → March 1, 2026
14. Under the FDCPA, which of the following communications is exempt from the law's restrictions? → A communication from a creditor collecting its own debt
15. In collection software, what does an 'account scrub' typically refer to? → Checking accounts against DNC, bankruptcy, and deceased debtor lists
16. A collector reaches a consumer's cell phone and the consumer says 'Stop calling this number.' What should the collector do? → Treat it as a cease communication request and follow FDCPA procedures
17. 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
18. 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
19. 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
20. 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
21. Which professional organization administers the PCS (Professional Collection Specialist) certification? → ACA International
22. A debtor's debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is 55%. How does this affect the collector's risk assessment? → It signals high financial stress, reducing the probability of voluntary repayment
23. 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
24. Which court has exclusive jurisdiction over automatic stay disputes in a bankruptcy case? → The bankruptcy court presiding over the case
25. What is 'loss given default' (LGD) in the context of debt collection portfolio analysis? → The proportion of the exposure that will not be recovered after a debtor defaults
26. A collector reviews a charged-off account and notices the debtor has opened three new credit cards in the past six months. What does this suggest? → The debtor may have access to credit resources and could potentially satisfy the debt
27. What is the importance of documenting communication in debt collection? → It provides evidence of all communications and agreements made
28. When a debtor claims they can only pay after receiving their next paycheck in two weeks, the most effective collector response is to: → Schedule a specific follow-up call and confirm a commitment for that date
29. 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
30. What is the primary goal of account management in debt collection? → To maintain a balance between debt recovery and positive debtor relations