Permitted Regulated Verified 2026-09-06 · ver. 0.2.3 How we verify these rules

Payday Loans in Washington

Washington permits regulated small/payday loans up to the lesser of $700 or 30% of gross monthly income. The normal term is no more than 45 days, fees are capped at 15% of the first $500 plus 10% above $500, and borrowers who cannot repay on time have a statutory no-new-fee installment-plan right.

Washington legal category: Small Loan · RCW Chapter 31.45 — Check Cashers and Sellers / Small Loan endorsement

Washington payday loans at a glance

Legal status
Permitted Regulated
Legal category
Small Loan
Maximum amount in this regime
$700
Term
Up to 45 days
Regulator
Washington State Department of Financial Institutions — Division of Consumer Services
Verified
2026-09-06

Choose a loan type by amount

PLS Cash Advance currently presents request amounts from $200 to $5,000. The ranges below are navigation guidance between our state loan guides — not statutory limits, eligibility rules, or a promise of approval.

$200–$700 Current guide

Payday Loans in Washington

Preferred routing for Washington small/payday loans. State law caps principal at the lesser of $700 or 30% of the borrower’s gross monthly income.

$700–$5,000

Installment Loans in Washington

Preferred routing for larger multi-payment requests within the current PLS Cash Advance selector. Washington Consumer Loan Act licensees may make secured or unsecured consumer loans under a separate framework.

See Installment Loans

Amount and term limits

The maximum principal outstanding across Washington small/payday loans is the lesser of $700 or 30% of the borrower’s gross monthly income.

The due date must be on or after the borrower’s next pay date, or the second pay date if the next pay date is within seven days of origination. The normal termination date may not be more than 45 days after origination, although the parties may agree to an extension without additional fee or interest.

Interest, fees and repayment

Washington regulates payday cost as a principal-based fee ceiling rather than one simple annual interest rate. For example, the maximum scheduled fee on a $700 small loan is $95 before default-related charges.

Interest and fees in the aggregate may not exceed 15% of the first $500 of principal and 10% of the portion above $500.

If the borrower says they will be or are unable to repay when due, the lender must inform them of the right to convert the loan to an installment plan and must convert it on request. The plan carries no new fee or interest and must last at least 90 days for $400 or less and at least 180 days for more than $400.

Rollovers, refinancing and early payment

Rollover allowed?
Not reduced to a yes/no rule
Washington does not allow a conventional paid rollover fee. The original term may be extended by agreement only if no additional fee or interest is charged, and a borrower in an installment plan cannot receive another small loan until the plan is resolved under the statute.
Prepayment penalty allowed?
No
A borrower in the statutory installment plan may pay the total installments at any time without a prepayment penalty, fee, or charge.

Washington borrower protections

  • Principal is capped at the lesser of $700 or 30% of gross monthly income.
  • A borrower may receive no more than eight Washington small loans from all licensees in any 12-month period.
  • The normal small-loan term may not exceed 45 days.
  • Maximum scheduled fees are 15% on the first $500 and 10% on principal above $500.
  • A borrower unable to repay when due can request a no-new-fee installment plan of at least 90 or 180 days depending on principal.
  • Washington DFI provides a public financial-license verification tool.

Washington loan cost calculator

This calculator is an educational illustration based on the structured rules shown on this page. A statutory ceiling is not a typical market price or an offer from a lender.

How to verify a lender in Washington

Regulator: Washington State Department of Financial Institutions — Division of Consumer Services.

Check Casher/Seller license with a Small Loan endorsement

Verify a lender license

Official sources

  1. Washington DFI — Payday Loans: Rules, Limits & Your Rights · primary
  2. RCW 31.45.073 — Washington small loan amount, term and fee limits · primary
  3. RCW 31.45.084 — Payday small-loan installment plan · primary
  4. Washington DFI — Verify a Financial License · primary

Last regulatory verification: 2026-09-06. Laws can change; verify current terms and lender status before borrowing. Read our research methodology.