The Michigan Collection Practices Board was created under Article 9 of Public Act 299 of 1980, as amended, to license and regulate collection agencies in Michigan. Article 9 defines a collection agency as a person directly or indirectly engaged in soliciting a claim for collection, or collecting or attempting to collect a claim owed or due, or asserted to be owed or due another, or repossessing or attempting to repossess a thing of value owed or due, or asserted to be owed or due another arising out of an expressed or implied agreement.

The board currently oversees the practice of approximately 547 collection agencies and 481 collection agency managers.