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. 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. In most states, a debtor's primary residence (homestead) may be protected from forced sale to satisfy a judgment by: → State homestead exemption laws
5. Which professional organization administers the PCS (Professional Collection Specialist) certification? → ACA International
6. What is the importance of documenting communication in debt collection? → It provides evidence of all communications and agreements made
7. What is the primary goal of account management in debt collection? → To maintain a balance between debt recovery and positive debtor relations
8. Under Regulation F, a debt collector is limited to how many telephone call attempts to a consumer per week? → 7 attempts
9. 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
10. 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)
11. 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
12. 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
13. 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
14. 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
15. What is the benefit of offering payment plans to debtors? → It creates flexibility and helps recover the full debt
16. Which of the following is NOT a valid method a consumer may use to submit a debt validation request? → Verbal request during a collection call
17. What is a key challenge in collection strategy implementation? → Finding a balance between recovery and maintaining professional relationships
18. Under ACA International's Code of Ethics, a collection professional must treat all consumers with: → Dignity and respect while complying with all applicable laws
19. Why is it important for collection specialists to understand consumer rights? → To avoid violating laws and protect both the business and the consumer
20. What should be included in a debt collection communication to ensure compliance with the FDCPA? → A clear statement of the debt and the consumer’s rights
21. If a collector determines a disputed debt is valid after investigation, they should: → Notify the consumer and the CRA of the results and update the tradeline if necessary
22. A writ of execution in debt collection proceedings is used to: → Authorize law enforcement to seize debtor assets to satisfy a judgment
23. What is a key provision under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)? → It provides consumers with the right to dispute errors on their credit reports
24. Which of the following is a fundamental principle of skip tracing & locate techniques as it applies to Professional Collection Specialist? → Systematic evaluation and adherence to established industry standards
25. What is the first step in creating an effective collection strategy? → Evaluating the debtor's financial situation
26. Why is documentation crucial in debt collection efforts? → To maintain a record that can support future legal actions
27. How can collection specialists maintain ethical standards during debt collection? → By following legal guidelines and maintaining respect for debtors
28. What is the role of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act in consumer protection? → It prevents arbitrary fee increases and ensures transparent billing
29. When a debt collector files a lawsuit to collect a debt and the debtor does not respond within the required timeframe, the court may issue a: → Default judgment
30. Which of the following is a fundamental principle of account file documentation as it applies to Professional Collection Specialist? → Systematic evaluation and adherence to established industry standards