State lending rules

Arizona lending rules

Arizona is covered on Loancalculated with 91 city and town pages. Personal-loan terms in Arizona are set by licensed lenders under state law; the sourced rules below apply to every borrower in the state.

The lowest rates are only available to the most qualified applicants.

Advertising disclosure: Loancalculated may receive a referral fee if you apply through the link above. That fee does not change the rate you are offered, and it does not change our content. We are not a lender. Read the full disclosure.

By the Loancalculated Editorial Team · Last updated 2026-09-16

Key rules for borrowers in Arizona

RuleDetailSource
Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) 10% per year default; any rate may be agreed in writing (other than medical debt)
Source says: "interest shall be at the rate of ten percent a year, unless a different rate is contracted for in writing".
Arizona State Legislature — A.R.S. § 44-1201
as of 2026-09-16
Payday lending status Not permitted — payday lending authorization expired June 30, 2010; DIFI no longer licenses payday lenders; consumer loans over 36% APR illegal since July 1, 2010
Source says: "The law allowing payday loans in Arizona expired on June 30, 2010. DIFI no longer licenses payday lenders."
Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI)
as of 2026-09-16
Small-loan / installment lender licensing Consumer lender license required from the deputy director (A.R.S. Title 6, Chapter 5); at least $25,000 in assets readily available per licensed office; license not transferable
Source says: "shall not engage in the business of a consumer lender without first being licensed as a consumer lender".
Arizona State Legislature — A.R.S. § 6-603
as of 2026-09-16
State lending regulator Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI)
Source says: "The Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI)".
Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI)
as of 2026-09-16
Consumer lender loan rate caps (§ 6-632) Consumer loans: 36% per year on principal up to $3,000; for larger loans, 36% on the first $3,000 and 24% above $3,000
Source says: "a consumer loan rate of thirty-six per cent"; "a consumer loan rate of twenty-four per cent on that part of the principal amount greater than three thousand dollars".
Arizona State Legislature — A.R.S. § 6-632
as of 2026-09-16

Cities in Arizona

We cover 91 cities and towns in Arizona.

Compare personal loan offers Run the numbers first

The lowest rates are only available to the most qualified applicants.

Advertising disclosure: Loancalculated may receive a referral fee if you apply through the link above. That fee does not change the rate you are offered, and it does not change our content. We are not a lender. Read the full disclosure.

Frequently asked questions

What interest rate can a lender charge in Arizona?
It depends on the product and the statute that governs it. The sourced table on this page lists Arizona's usury cap and the licensing rules, each with its publisher and a link to the primary source.
Are payday loans legal in Arizona?
Payday lending is regulated state by state; some states permit it, some cap it, and some prohibit it outright. See the sourced figure on this page for the current position.
Do I need a license to lend money in Arizona?
Most consumer lenders must be licensed by the state regulator named on this page. You can verify a lender's license with that regulator before you sign anything.

Related