# Credit Grantor Licensing ## What is credit grantor licensing, and which states require it? Credit grantor licensing is the state authorization a company needs when it extends credit to its customers as part of selling its own goods or services, such as retail installment contracts or buy-now-pay-later plans. It is usually a sales finance or retail installment license, separate from a consumer lending license. Requirements vary by state: Florida, New York, California, and Texas each license or register credit grantors under their own sales finance statutes, with their own fees, bonds, and contract-review rules. A credit grantor operating in multiple states generally needs the right license in every state where its customers finance a purchase. Credit grantor licensing for companies that extend credit as part of a sale of goods or services, from retail installment contracts to buy-now-pay-later programs. We identify where a sales finance or credit grantor license applies and file it in every state you serve. ## Navigating Credit Grantor Requirements If your company extends credit to consumers or businesses as part of selling goods or services, you may be subject to state sales finance or credit grantor licensing requirements. The regulatory landscape for credit grantors is complex and varies significantly from state to state. Cornerstone helps credit grantors identify and obtain the licenses they need. ## What Credit Grantor Licensing Covers A credit grantor extends credit at the point of a sale rather than as a standalone loan, so the license usually falls under a state's sales finance or retail installment statute rather than its consumer lending law. Retailers that offer in-house financing, equipment sellers that carry paper, and buy-now-pay-later providers are the most common credit grantors. The distinction matters because a credit grantor license and a consumer finance license are separate authorizations with different fees, bonds, and filing obligations. Holding one does not cover the other. Many states also require the credit grantor's contracts to meet specific format and disclosure rules, and some review sample agreements as part of the application. ## Credit Grantor Licensing by State Because credit grantor rules sit inside each state's sales finance and retail installment statutes, the license you need changes as you cross state lines. These are four of the states most often searched for a credit grantor license. ## How to get licensed 1. **Credit Program Analysis**, We review your credit programs, interest rates, fee structures, and contract terms to help identify which licenses may apply, in coordination with our attorney partners. 2. **License Identification**, We identify which states require sales finance, retail installment, or credit grantor licenses for your specific programs. 3. **Application & Filing**, We prepare and submit all applications, including surety bonds, financial statements, and sample contract reviews. 4. **Ongoing Filings**, We manage your renewal calendar, annual reports, and monitor regulatory changes that may affect your credit programs. ## Frequently asked questions ### What Is a Credit Grantor? A credit grantor is a company that extends credit directly to consumers or businesses as part of selling goods or services, rather than as a standalone financial product. Examples include retailers offering financing, equipment leasing companies, and buy-now-pay-later providers. ### Is a Credit Grantor License Different From a Consumer Finance License? Yes. Credit grantor or sales finance licenses are typically separate from consumer finance or lending licenses. The requirements, fees, and filing obligations can differ significantly. ### Which States Require a Credit Grantor License? Requirements vary widely, but Florida, New York, California, and Texas are among the states that license or register credit grantors under their own sales finance and retail installment statutes. Each sets its own fees, bonds, and contract rules. A credit grantor selling into multiple states generally needs the matching license in every state where its customers finance a purchase, so a state-by-state review is the right starting point. ### Is a Retail Installment License the Same as a Credit Grantor License? In most states they describe the same activity. Credit grantor licensing usually takes the form of a retail installment seller or sales finance license, since that is the statute that governs financing the sale of goods or services. The exact name and category depend on the state, which is why we map your programs against each state's specific license type. ### How Much Does Credit Grantor Licensing Cost? Costs vary by state and by the type of license. States charge their own application and renewal fees, and several require a surety bond whose premium depends on your credit profile. Because a multi-state credit grantor may hold several different licenses, we provide a state-by-state cost breakdown during our assessment so there are no surprises.