Written and compiled by a person who has been hired by BSIS
for the re-write of another BSIS test, thus learning some 'secrets'
behind the wording of their 'answer choices' and other test-question ideas!
--also: author/compiler has taught BSIS laws and rules at schools since 1991,
and has easily passed multiple BSIS licensing examinations himself!--
Additionally, author has a law degree and 3 years of law school,
allowing him to explain the legal portions to you more simply than others.


BEWARE OF USING THE WRONG MATERIAL TO PREPARE WITH!
Blunt and to the point: there is some worthless 'junk' out there,
promoted as 'helpful for repossession agency tests'. Buyer beware.
We have assisted many who failed after trying alternate choices.

OUCH! Taking advantage of excited viewers of those several silly/phony
TV shows about how cool the repo business is, some people are making big
$$$$$ by selling 'Anyone Can Start A Great Repo Business"-type books:
but they fail to advertise that specific paid experience in CA is required first!
Call us for the exact BSIS licensing requirements, even for an application.

Avoid the clowns.
Avoid the phonies.

Only www.thePIgroup.com has our 2025-2026 CA Repo study material!

We have helped more than 4500 pass their states' license tests nationwide-- more than 300 in the past year.

Nobody else has even helped 30 to pass in the last year!

REPOSSESSION AGENCY

Repossession Agency, Qualified Manager, or Repossession Agency Employee

Requirements for Licensure

A Repossession Agency contracts with a legal owner to locate or recover personal property that has been sold under a security agreement.

In order for a company to seek licensure as a repossession agency, the Qualified Manager (see below) must have passed the licensing examination. In addition, each individual applicant, partner, or corporate officer must be 18 or older and must undergo a criminal history background check through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

To apply for a company license, submit a completed application, an $825 company license fee, two recent passport-quality photographs and a Repossessor Agency Live Scan form signed by the Live Scan Operator. A $32 DOJ fingerprint processing fee and a $19 FBI fingerprint processing fee must be paid for each applicant at the Live Scan site. Send your application package to the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, P.O. Box 989002, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9002.

(A qualified manager who is also an applicant, partner, or officer is not required to send in another set of fingerprints or pay another fingerprint processing fee.)

Note: Local government may also require registration but may not charge a fee.

Qualified Manager

An individual, partnership, or corporation seeking licensure as a repossession agency must specify in the application the individual who will manage the business on a day-to-day basis. This individual is called the Qualified Manager. (An owner, partner, or corporate officer may serve as the Qualified Manager, or may hire someone to fill this role.) Qualified Managers must spend at least 51 percent of their time in active control of the business and must meet the following requirements:

• Be 18 or older
• Undergo a criminal history background check through the DOJ and the FBI
• Have two years (4,000 hours) of experience within the last five years as an employee of a licensed California repossession agency or two years (4,000 hours) of recent legally acquired experience recovering personal property sold under a security agreement in California (while working as an employee of a financial institution or vehicle dealer)
• Pass a two-hour multiple-choice examination covering the Collateral Recovery Act (formerly the Repossessors Act) and related laws, prohibited acts and citations, conduct of business, and disciplinary proceedings. A copy of the Collateral Recovery Act will be sent to you.

Submit a completed application with two recent passport-quality photographs, a $325 application fee and a Repossessor Agency Qualified Manager Live Scan form signed by the Live Scan Operator. A $32 DOJ fingerprint processing fee and a $19 FBI fingerprint processing fee must be paid for each applicant at the Live Scan site. Send your application package to the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, P.O. Box 989002, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9002.

Repossession Agency Employee

Employees hired by a repossession agency to recover property must be registered with the Department of Consumer Affairs. To be eligible to apply for registration as a repossession agency employee, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be 18 or older; and
• Submit your completed application with two recent passport-quality photographs, a $75 registration fee and a Repossession Agency Employee Live Scan form signed by the Live Scan Operator. A $32 DOJ fingerprint processing fee and a $19 FBI fingerprint processing fee must be paid for each applicant at the Live Scan site. Send your application package to the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, P.O. Box 989002, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9002.

Once you have submitted your application and the appropriate fees, you may work for 120 days with a temporary registration if you do not have a record of any felony convictions and have not committed any violations of the Collateral Recovery Act or any other acts constituting grounds for denial.

State registration is not required of clerical employees or others whose duties do not include actual repossessing.

Note: Whenever you change employers, you must reregister within 15 working days. Submit a re-registration application and $30 fee to the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, P.O. Box 989002, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9002.

Applications for registration as a repossessor employee are available from repossession agencies. To request an application for licensure as a repossession agency or qualified manager, call 916-322-4000 or 1-800-952-5210, or visit our Web site at www.bsis.ca.gov



MORE from the State of California:

Frequently Asked Questions - Repossession Agency (RA)

1. How long after the application is submitted will it take to process?

   The complete processing of the application may take approximately three to six months.

2. What forms must be included in the application package?
   • Application for License (Form 31A-4)
   • Personal Identification (Form 31A-9)
   • The second copy of the Live Scan form (BCII 8016) signed by the Live Scan Operator.
   • Two recent passport quality photographs
   • Request for Authorization of Business name [(Form 31A-12 (if applicable)]
   • Corporate applicants only: endorsed Articles of Incorporation or the Statement by a Foreign Corporation (if filed with the Secretary of State)

   Corporate applicants only: endorsed Articles of Incorporation or the Statement by a Foreign Corporation (if filed with the Secretary of State)

3. How long is a Repossession Agency license valid?

   The Repossession Agency license is valid for two years.

4. How does a Repossession Agency renew its license?

   Prior to the expiration of the license, the applicant may receive a renewal application mailed to the last address of record. If you do not receive a renewal application, you should submit a copy of your license/certificate with a written request for renewal, including the fees for renewal (see fee schedule) and mail to:

   Bureau of Security and Investigative Services
   P.O. Box 989002
   West Sacramento CA 95798-9002

   (This must be submitted before the expiration date.)

5. When does a Repossession Agency's license become delinquent?

   The Repossession Agency's license is delinquent one day after it expires. If you fail to submit renewal fees by the expiration date, you must pay the renewal fee and the delinquent fee.

6. How long after the expiration of my license am I able to renew my license?

   If after three years you fail to renew a delinquent license you must submit a new application and begin the application process again.

7. How do I verify receipt of my Repossession Agency application?

   Contact the Bureau at (916) 322-4000 for a status on a pending application or any additional information.

8. How do I notify the Bureau of my change of address?

   You must notify the Bureau in writing within 30 days of such a change. Be sure that you include your license number, name, previous address, new address, date of birth and Social Security number. Please print information.

9. How do I change my business name?

   In order for you to change your business name, you must submit a written request to the Bureau. Submit at least six names for consideration. The first name requested will be approved unless the name could be confused with or is similar to any federal, state, county, or municipal government function or agency or to any law enforcement agency, or in any name which may tend to describe any business function or enterprise not actually engaged in by the applicant/licensee under that name.

   *Until an approval is received, you may not operate under your requested new name.

10. If I lost, destroyed or damaged my Repossession Agency license, how do I obtain a duplicate?

    You may request a duplicate license by submitting a written request, explaining the circumstances, with a $10 fee to the Bureau. Please allow four to six weeks for replacement.

11. The name/address was misspelled on my license. Is there a fee for a new one?

    No. An error on a license should be returned for correction to the Bureau without charge. A correction will take approximately three to four weeks. Please clarify the error in writing and return the license.(This is not for address changes when submitted after a renewal was paid and already mailed)

12. Can a Repossession Agency use a post office box for an address?

    Yes. The Repossession Agency must state the location of the business office by street name, number and city. The Repossessor Agency may list a post office box only if mail delivery to the physical location is not possible or if the place of business is located at the licensee's residential address. In addition, no licensee shall conduct business from any location other than the location for which a license or branch office registration was issued.

13. How long does it take to process the new license after a request for name change and/or address change or change of branch office has been made?

    The processing time will vary, typically a name change and/or address change or branch change will take approximately four to six weeks.

14. There has been a change in the type of ownership/entity after receiving the repossession agency license. What do I have to do?

    Licenses are not transferable or assigned to new entities. A change of ownership constitutes a new entity. You must submit a new application with appropriate fees. For example: if you apply and become licensed as a sole owner and later decide to form a partnership or corporation, you must apply for a new license.

15. Who can repossess my car, truck, motorcycle, or other vehicle?

    The legal owner, and the repossessor agency employee of a repossession agency.

16. Does the legal owner have to notify me before taking my vehicle?

    No. The legal owner is not required to notify you before your vehicle is repossessed. However, the legal owner must notify you in writing within 60 days that you have 15 days to arrange to get your car back before it is sold. If the vehicle was repossessed by a licensed repossession agency, the agency must notify you within 48 hours that they have repossessed your vehicle and must furnish you with a list of the personal items in the vehicle at the time it was repossessed.

17. Can they repossess my vehicle if I have only missed one payment?

    Yes. The conditions under which the vehicle may be repossessed are subject to the terms of the sales contract signed by you at the time you bought your vehicle. However, some legal owners will work with you to bring your payments up to date, even though they are not required by law to do so. If you expect a problem in making payment, you should contact the legal owner to make other arrangements for payment.

18. Can they take my car at 4 a.m., or while I am in the grocery store?

    As long as the repossessor agency employee does not enter any private building or any secured area he or she may take your vehicle at any time from any location. This does not mean that the repossessor agency employee can do anything that is illegal. The repossessor agency employee must obey the same laws that pertain to everyone.

19. Can a repossessor agency employee agent break my gate, unlock my garage, move other vehicles, or trample my landscape while trying to take my car?

    No. repossessor agency employees are prohibited from entering any private building or secured area without the consent of the owner or the person in legal possession of the property. This includes any locked and fenced area. Any damage to buildings, fences, landscaping, or other vehicles should be reported to the police. In addition, a complaint should be filed with the Bureau. To get your money back for damaged personal property or real property, you will probably have to go to small claims court or hire an attorney. The Bureau has no jurisdiction to get your money back for damaged personal property.

20. Should I hide my vehicle or physically protect it from the repossessor agency employee?

    No. A repossession agency with authorization from the legal owner will attempt to take your vehicle for the legal owner. If you hide the vehicle to avoid repossession, you may give up your right to continue with the same contract with the legal owner.

21. Can a repossessor agency employee threaten my family or me?

    No. A repossessor agency employee may not use violence or force in attempting to repossess a vehicle. If violence or force occurs, contact the police immediately. A repossessor agency employee may not use false or misleading statements or make threats in order to take your vehicle.

22. What happens to my personal belongings in the car after my car has been repossessed?

    Licensed repossession agencies are required to make a list of all personal belongings found in a vehicle at the time of repossession. They are required to send you at your last known address of record, within 48 hours, a notice containing this list and informing you how to recover your personal belongings and the amount of storage fees owed, if any.

23. Are my spare tire, tape deck, and mag wheels considered part of my personal belongings?

    Items such as tape deck or mag wheels, which are installed as a permanent part of the vehicle generally, remain with the vehicle. So do items such as a spare tire or tire iron, which are normal equipment for a vehicle to carry. However, any item such as a removable camper shell, which was not included in the original contract for your vehicle, should be returned to you, although you may be asked to prove that you bought the camper shell separately.

24. Should I be notified about who took my vehicle and why?

    A repossession agency is required to provide you with a Notice of Seizure within 48 hours after taking possession of your vehicle. This notice must include the name, address, and telephone number of the legal owner and the name, address, and telephone number of the repossession agency. They should tell you that this Bureau regulates repossessor employees and that the repossession agency is required to give you a personal property inventory within 48 hours of the repossession, and that any damage to a vehicle during repossession is the responsibility of the repossession agency. To find out why your vehicle was repossessed you should contact the legal owner of your vehicle.

25. What if my car is damaged during or after repossession?

    The Notice of Seizure, which the repossession agency is required to send you lists that damage to a vehicle during or after repossession, is the responsibility of the repossession agency. Unfortunately, the Bureau cannot actually enforce this responsibility by making the repossession agency pay you for any damage to your car. In case of damage, you should take the repossession agency to small claims or civil court, depending on the estimated cost of repair. You should also file a written complaint with the Bureau, as several complaints of damage against the same repossession agency could result in disciplinary action against that agency.

26. Can repossession agency employees drive my vehicle or use my personal effects after they have repossessed my car?

    No. A repossession agency employee may not use any vehicle or personal effects recovered from a consumer for personal benefit. If you believe your vehicle was used during the time the agency had it, you should file a complaint with the Bureau explaining the circumstances which lead you to believe it was used.

27. What should I do if something is missing from my personal effects when I pick them up?

    Mention it to the repossession company while you are there and ask them to check their storage area again. Note it on the release form if the items are not located. Follow up with a registered letter to the repossession agency (with a copy to the lien-holder) describing the missing items and ask them to locate them or reimburse you for them. If they don't comply with your request, send a written complaint to the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services. If some of your belongings are missing you should contact your local police department and begin a small claims court or civil court action to have the repossession agency repay you for your lost possessions.

28. What about my personalized license plates?

    Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has advised us that personalized plates should be removed and stored with other personal effects. If you do not claim them within the 60 days, the repossession company should return them to the DMV.

29. How do I get my vehicle back?

    The legal owner must give you 15 days written notice before they can sell or otherwise dispose of your vehicle. This notice must be provided within 60 days after repossession. This notice should tell you how to redeem your vehicle and should give you the name and address of the person to contact about payment. Usually, you will be able to reinstate your loan contract by paying your back payments and the repossession fee, unless the legal owner can prove that you did one of the following: A. gave false information on your loan application B. hid the vehicle to keep it from being repossessed C. kept the vehicle in bad repair or damaged it on purpose If the vehicle loan is with your credit union or a finance company, the above information may not apply to you.

30. What charges, if any, might I have to pay?

    In addition to paying all or part of the contract balance, you may have to pay a repossession charge. Most vehicle installment loan contracts state that you may be charged for the costs of recovering the vehicle if you default on the loan payments. Therefore, the legal owners may charge you for the amount which they have been billed by the repossession agency. Also, most repossession agencies charge a fee for storage of personal items that were in the vehicle at the time it was repossessed. The amount of the storage fees must be given on the personal property notice prepared by the repossession agency and will be collected at the time you pick up your personal items. Many repossession agencies require that these charges be paid in CASH. If you choose not to make the payments within the 15 days allowed, the legal owner will arrange for your car to be sold. If the buyer does not pay the full contract balance, you may be required to pay the difference, which is referred to as a deficiency.

31. How are the police involved in repossessions?

    Immediately after the repossession, the repossessor must notify the local police or sheriff's department that he has taken your vehicle. As long as the repossessor has the proper identification and can show that the legal owner hired him to repossess your vehicle, the police will probably not interfere with the repossession, even if you call them. However, if you feel that the repossessor has threatened or harmed you or damaged your property, or entered your car or property illegally, you should call the police and file a police report.

32. How do I file a complaint with the Bureau?

    A consumer may contact the Department of Consumer Affairs', Consumer Information Center at 1-(800) 952-5210 and request a complaint form. Please provide copies of all documents relating to your complaint with your completed complaint form.
    
    

    ---

    
    Written and compiled by a person who has been hired by BSIS
    for the re-write of another BSIS test, thus learning some 'secrets'
    behind their 'answer choices' and other test-question ideas!
    --also: author/compiler has taught BSIS topics at schools since 1988,
    and has easily passed multiple BSIS licensing examinations himself!--
    Additionally, author has a law degree and 3 years of law school,
    allowing him to explain the legal portions to you more simply than others.
    
    

    Updated for 2025-2026!

    ---

    Need a CA Repossession Agency license application?
    
    If you want to download a repo license application, paste this into your browser:
    www.bsis.ca.gov/forms_pubs/licensingapp.pdf
    Besides the application, be sure to also download 'LiveScan forms'.
    (but beware: there are 'tricks' and 'traps' to the application process;
    call us for assistance before you make the common application mistakes!)
    

    ---

    
    FREE help with your CA Repo license application!
    
    
    
    Many see those 20 crowded pages and get confused. Almost everybody does.
    "Am I testing for Repossession license or am I testing for Qualified Manager?"
    "How do I prove my experience?" "Should I be a Sole Proprietor?"
    "What if I don't want my boss to know I'm applying for my own repo license?"
    
    We can show you which 6 pages that you must complete, and what non-included one to attach,
    and we know the common mistakes made by many applicants. Including two major secrets!
    
    We know how to avoid a few common delays.
    Don't get your repo application rejected due to mistakes--
    we help you complete it: FREE by phone or in-person.
    
    

    ---

    Yes, you saw us on   at:  (click here:)  Repossession Agency license test information on YouTube
    

    ---

    Our anti-copy 'ghost      printing' of dark embedded-word watermarking helps us fight piracy!
    

    ---

    
    
    These additional options are often available-- ask for details:
    
                 
    

    ---

       Are you taking the test this week?    
    
    And you waited 'til today to look for Repo
    business knowledge study material?!
    
    We might have special help for you.

Ask about other available options, including same-day shipping, same-hour shipping, or overnight delivery!

We can buy and/or trade items for any related material that you have self-developed.

All specifications subject to change with or without prior notice.

We include copies of some public-domain state and/or federal documents
and other items, provided as a courtesy and at no additional cost to you;
many have been improved from their original presentation into better for your use!

---

Call 818-883-6969 NOW!
If you have failed the test, we have 'special help' for you.
If you haven't tested yet, we are experts with that too.

---

Our business consultation packages help from
application through testing and initial business set-up.
Page-counts and shipping-weights are approximate but are very close.
Come pick up a package, or send a simple money order;
we put long holds on orders paid by check. <<< be sure you see this


Call (818) 883-6969
or e-mail to
thePIgroup@aol.com

Purchaser is licensed one copy of this material for purchaser's personal use.
Any other redistribution or reproduction is strictly prohibited.
All rights reserved. A purchase of this material is for purchaser's sole use,
and is only to assist that sole purchaser in his/her new repo business and in
the preparation of taking his/her own licensing test. No portion of this material
may be reproduced, copied, sold, resold, shared, sold after purchaser's use, exploited,
stored in an electronic system, used for training of others, or transmitted in any form or by
any means, electronic, reworded, modified, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise.
It is solely intended for and sold only to applicants for this professional license.
It is expressly NOT for use, tutoring, duplication, training, adaption, or any other use by
other publishers or writers, teachers or instructors, coaching or preparatory entities,
testing agencies and certification agencies, any group use, or any government agency.
All specifications subject to change without prior notice.

Back to the main page, click here: MAIN PAGE
112024B245

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Scheduling a Repo license test

The California Repossession Agency license exam
testing is usually given at 20+ CA locations, 6 days per week.

See the list below for the one closest to you, then call PSI at 800-733-9267
to verify that the location is available for repo testing on the date you need.

List subject to change at any time with no notice

Agoura Hills

Orange County / Anaheim is 714-254-1453
2301 W. Lincoln Ave, # 252, Anaheim, CA 92801

San Luis Obispo County / Atascadero is 805-462-8983
7305 Morro Rd, # 201A, Atascadero, CA 93422

Kern County / Bakersfield is 661-398-9354
5405 Stockdale Highway, # 206, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Los Angeles County / Carson is 310-217-1066
17420 S. Avalon Blvd, # 205, Carson, CA 90746

Los Angeles County / Diamond Bar
21660 East Copley Drive, # 260, Diamond Bar, CA 91765

Los Angeles County / El Monte is 626-442-4112
4399 Santa Anita Av, # 110, El Monte, CA 91731

Fresno County / Fresno is 559-221-9006
351 E. Barstow, # 101, Fresno, CA 93710

Mariposa County / Hayward is 510-784-1114
24301 Southland Dr, # B1, Hayward, CA 94545

Orange County / Laguna Hills
23297 South Pointe Drive, #140, Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Los Angeles County / Lawndale is 310-793-1200
The Baytower Corporate Center,
15901 Hawthorne Blvd, #330, Lawndale, CA 90260

Shasta County / Redding is 530-221-0945
2861 Churn Creek, #C, Redding, CA 96002

Riverside County / Riverside is 951-680-9720
Riverside Technology Business Park;
1660 Chicago Ave, # M-15, Riverside 92507

Sacramento County / Sacramento is 916-363-6455
9719 Lincoln Village Drive, Building 100, Suite 100, 95827

San Diego County / San Diego is 858-658-0786
5440 Morehouse Drive, # 3300, San Diego, CA 92121

San Francisco County / San Francisco is 415-330-9700
150 Executive Park Bl, #1100, San Francisco, CA 94134

Santa Clara County / Santa Clara is 408-844-0004
2936 Scott Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95054

Santa Rosa County / Santa Rosa is 707-544-6723
160 Wikiup Drive, # 105, Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Ventura County / Ventura is 805-650-5220
4245 Market Street, #208, Ventura CA 93003

Tulare County / Visalia is 559-627-6700
3400 W Mineral King Avenue, #D, Visalia CA 93291

Contra Costa County / Walnut Creek is 925-906-9165
175 Lennon Lane, #203, Walnut Creek CA 94598


There are also PSI locations in other states nationwide.

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California Repo license testing locations

Click here to find the 20+ CA locations you can take the PPO license test 6 days a week!
http://www.thePIgroup.com/California-Repossession-license-test-locations.html

---

After several requests asking for a version,
we formed a plan-- but we don't recommend it as the best choice.

If we provided you only all the pages of paper material,
with no binder, no dividers, maybe not even any staples(!),
perhaps we could shave off for this new bare-bones 'economy' version.

While it would have every page that the other version does,
we don't think it's a great idea. We think, actually we KNOW,
that our proper assembly into a binder with dividers and with
related items stapled together makes it a better study tool.
But because we have been asked, this is the idea.

---

ORDERING INFORMATION

1. ---This is the best choice---
Come in and pick up a package
(ask about the special free extras if you
have the time to come in to see us!;
we can help with your application, or help get your website going,
or share some 'business secrets', and many other things),
or

2. ZELLE (but call first).
Be sure to add shipping.

3. Send a simple money order, and your package
goes out same-day money order is processed
and then package is printed/assembled
(be sure to include a note that says
CA REPO and your name and shipping address
and the name of the person taking the test;
there is NO connection to this order to
any text or email you may have sent),
or

3. Send a check, but we put long holds on
orders paid by check.<<< don't miss this,
we hold check-paid orders for at least 2 weeks
due to getting bad checks back 13 days later
(be sure to include a note that says
CA REPO and your name and shipping address
and the name of the person taking the test;
there is NO connection to this order to
any text or email you may have sent),


4. From 1990 through late 2024, we took credit cards,
electronic payments, PayPal, Western Union, etc.
NO MORE.
We're tired of the 'bad numbers', the delays, the costs,
the 'bank mistakes', the excuses, 'its my wife's fault', and so on.
We make too little on these 5-pound packages for such headaches.
So unless we are to raise our prices for this year, if you can't come in to
pick up a package then there's only one way to send a shipment to you
if you need it faster then by sending payment by regular mail:
you simply overnight us a money order. It doesn't have to be a costly and
time-consuming one issued by a bank--
a post office money order or grocery
store money order or 7-11 money order is fine.


Call 818-883-6969 for more details
!