State rules
Cash advance app rules, state by state
There is no single federal rulebook for these apps, so the rules depend on where you live. Some states license or register providers and cap fees; some treat advances as loans; most have done neither yet.
From statutes, regulators and court filings, checked 2026-10-18. A state we haven’t verified says so: we don’t guess.
Arizona
Arizona has no earned wage access statute; a Dec. 16, 2022 Attorney General opinion says no-interest, non-recourse EWA is not a "consumer loan" requiring a consumer lender license.
Has an EWA lawCalifornia
California requires providers of "income-based advances" (earned wage access) to register with the DFPI under the California Consumer Financial Protection Law, effective Feb. 15, 2025.
Treated under lending lawConnecticut
Connecticut treats earned wage access as a "small loan": providers need a small loan license from the Department of Banking, and since Oct. 1, 2025, total charges, including voluntary ones, are capped by statute at "four dollars per advance, or ... thirty dollars per month".
Attorney general opinionGeorgia
Georgia has no earned wage access statute; a Dec. 6, 2024 unofficial Attorney General opinion says flat, non-recourse EWA transfer fees generally are not "interest" under state usury law.
Has an EWA lawIndiana
Indiana has a dedicated earned wage access law, the Indiana Earned Wage Access Act (IC 28-8-6), which requires a license from the Department of Financial Institutions starting Jan. 1, 2026.
Has an EWA lawKansas
Kansas has a dedicated earned wage access law, the Kansas Earned Wage Access Services Act (K.S.A. 9-2401 to 9-2416), which requires providers to register with the Office of the State Bank Commissioner.
Has an EWA lawLouisiana
Louisiana has a dedicated earned wage access law, the Louisiana Earned Wage Access Services Act (La. R.S. 9:3591.1 to 3591.6); it sets conduct rules but does not require a license or registration.
Treated under lending lawMaryland
Maryland treats earned wage access as a "loan" under its Commercial Law credit rules: since Oct. 1, 2025, providers need a consumer loan license (or an exemption), and delivery fees are capped at $5 or $7.50.
Has an EWA lawMissouri
Missouri has a dedicated earned wage access law (RSMo 361.749); since Aug. 28, 2026, providers need a license from the Division of Finance, which replaced the earlier registration requirement.
Attorney general opinionMontana
Montana has no earned wage access statute; a Dec. 22, 2023 Attorney General opinion says EWA providers meeting certain conditions do not need a consumer loan or deferred deposit loan license.
Has an EWA lawNevada
Nevada has a dedicated earned wage access law (NRS chapter 604D) that requires providers to be licensed by the Financial Institutions Division.
Enforcement, no EWA lawNew York
New York has no earned wage access statute; in April 2025, the Attorney General sued MoneyLion and DailyPay, alleging their advances are illegal high-interest loans under state usury law.
Has an EWA lawSouth Carolina
South Carolina has a dedicated earned wage access law, the South Carolina Earned Wage Access Services Act (S.C. Code 39-5-810 et seq.), which requires providers to register with the Department of Consumer Affairs.
Has an EWA lawUtah
Utah has a dedicated earned wage access law (Utah Code 13-78) that requires providers to register with the Division of Consumer Protection.
Has an EWA lawWisconsin
Wisconsin has a dedicated earned wage access law (Wis. Stat. ch. 203) that requires a license from DFI; since April 5, 2026, delivery and expedited-delivery fees are capped at $5 or $7.50.
The federal position
As of Oct. 18, 2026, the CFPB's position is its Dec. 23, 2025 advisory opinion. It says 'Covered EWA' is not credit under the Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z. To be Covered EWA, an advance must meet four conditions…
All states
| State | Status |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Checked: no EWA law or major action found in official sources (as of 2026-10-18) |
| Alaska | Not yet verified |
| Arizona | Attorney general opinion: Arizona has no earned wage access statute; a Dec. 16, 2022 Attorney General opinion says no-interest, non-recourse EWA is not a "consumer loan" requiring a consumer lender license. |
| Arkansas | Checked: no EWA law or major action found in official sources (as of 2026-10-18) |
| California | Has an EWA law: California requires providers of "income-based advances" (earned wage access) to register with the DFPI under the California Consumer Financial Protection Law, effective Feb. 15, 2025. |
| Colorado | Checked: no EWA law or major action found in official sources (as of 2026-10-18) |
| Connecticut | Treated under lending law: Connecticut treats earned wage access as a "small loan": providers need a small loan license from the Department of Banking, and since Oct. 1, 2025, total charges, including voluntary ones, are capped by statute at "four dollars per advance, or ... thirty dollars per month". |
| Delaware | Not yet verified |
| District of Columbia | Not yet verified |
| Florida | Not yet verified |
| Georgia | Attorney general opinion: Georgia has no earned wage access statute; a Dec. 6, 2024 unofficial Attorney General opinion says flat, non-recourse EWA transfer fees generally are not "interest" under state usury law. |
| Hawaii | Not yet verified |
| Idaho | Not yet verified |
| Illinois | Checked: no EWA law or major action found in official sources (as of 2026-10-18) |
| Indiana | Has an EWA law: Indiana has a dedicated earned wage access law, the Indiana Earned Wage Access Act (IC 28-8-6), which requires a license from the Department of Financial Institutions starting Jan. 1, 2026. |
| Iowa | Not yet verified |
| Kansas | Has an EWA law: Kansas has a dedicated earned wage access law, the Kansas Earned Wage Access Services Act (K.S.A. 9-2401 to 9-2416), which requires providers to register with the Office of the State Bank Commissioner. |
| Kentucky | Not yet verified |
| Louisiana | Has an EWA law: Louisiana has a dedicated earned wage access law, the Louisiana Earned Wage Access Services Act (La. R.S. 9:3591.1 to 3591.6); it sets conduct rules but does not require a license or registration. |
| Maine | Not yet verified |
| Maryland | Treated under lending law: Maryland treats earned wage access as a "loan" under its Commercial Law credit rules: since Oct. 1, 2025, providers need a consumer loan license (or an exemption), and delivery fees are capped at $5 or $7.50. |
| Massachusetts | Not yet verified |
| Michigan | Not yet verified |
| Minnesota | Not yet verified |
| Mississippi | Not yet verified |
| Missouri | Has an EWA law: Missouri has a dedicated earned wage access law (RSMo 361.749); since Aug. 28, 2026, providers need a license from the Division of Finance, which replaced the earlier registration requirement. |
| Montana | Attorney general opinion: Montana has no earned wage access statute; a Dec. 22, 2023 Attorney General opinion says EWA providers meeting certain conditions do not need a consumer loan or deferred deposit loan license. |
| Nebraska | Not yet verified |
| Nevada | Has an EWA law: Nevada has a dedicated earned wage access law (NRS chapter 604D) that requires providers to be licensed by the Financial Institutions Division. |
| New Hampshire | Not yet verified |
| New Jersey | Not yet verified |
| New Mexico | Not yet verified |
| New York | Enforcement, no EWA law: New York has no earned wage access statute; in April 2025, the Attorney General sued MoneyLion and DailyPay, alleging their advances are illegal high-interest loans under state usury law. |
| North Carolina | Checked: no EWA law or major action found in official sources (as of 2026-10-18) |
| North Dakota | Not yet verified |
| Ohio | Not yet verified |
| Oklahoma | Checked: no EWA law or major action found in official sources (as of 2026-10-18) |
| Oregon | Not yet verified |
| Pennsylvania | Not yet verified |
| Rhode Island | Not yet verified |
| South Carolina | Has an EWA law: South Carolina has a dedicated earned wage access law, the South Carolina Earned Wage Access Services Act (S.C. Code 39-5-810 et seq.), which requires providers to register with the Department of Consumer Affairs. |
| South Dakota | Not yet verified |
| Tennessee | Checked: no EWA law or major action found in official sources (as of 2026-10-18) |
| Texas | Checked: no EWA law or major action found in official sources (as of 2026-10-18) |
| Utah | Has an EWA law: Utah has a dedicated earned wage access law (Utah Code 13-78) that requires providers to register with the Division of Consumer Protection. |
| Vermont | Not yet verified |
| Virginia | Checked: no EWA law or major action found in official sources (as of 2026-10-18) |
| Washington | Not yet verified |
| West Virginia | Not yet verified |
| Wisconsin | Has an EWA law: Wisconsin has a dedicated earned wage access law (Wis. Stat. ch. 203) that requires a license from DFI; since April 5, 2026, delivery and expedited-delivery fees are capped at $5 or $7.50. |
| Wyoming | Checked: no EWA law or major action found in official sources (as of 2026-10-18) |