Credit Repair Business Names 2026CROA-Compliant + Domain Check
Engineered by Brian — Don’t Get Sued on Launch Day
AI generates 25 names, auto-checks CROA violations, verifies domain availability, and suggests safe taglines.
Why CROA Compliance Matters for Your Business Name
The Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA) regulates how credit repair companies market their services. Using words like "guaranteed," "instant," or "fix" in your business name can trigger FTC scrutiny and potential legal action. Our compliance checker scans every generated name against 16 known CROA red-flag patterns, so you launch with a name that protects your business from day one.
How the Name Compliance Checker Works
Enter your business focus (disputes, onboarding, compliance, or scale), optional city/state for local branding, and preferred style. The AI generates 25 unique names and instantly cross-references each against CROA-prohibited language patterns. Results are sorted into Safe (green) and Risky (red) with specific violation explanations.
Each safe name includes a suggested domain extension, availability status, and a compliant tagline. The domain check simulates real availability based on common TLD patterns (.com, .io, .co, .agency).
Words to Avoid in Credit Repair Business Names
Safe Alternatives for Credit Repair Branding
Instead of risky language, use terms like "advisors," "strategy," "solutions," "partners," "consulting," and "restoration." These convey professionalism without making implied guarantees. Pair your name with a compliant tagline like "Strategic Credit Advisors" or "Evidence-Based Credit Improvement" to build trust while staying legally safe.
How to Name a Credit Repair Business in 2026 (CROA-Compliant Guide)
Your business name is the first thing the FTC sees during an audit. Under the Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA), any name implying guaranteed results, instant fixes, or deletion of accurate information can trigger enforcement action. In 2024 alone, the FTC shut down 14 credit repair operations partly due to misleading business names and marketing language. This tool exists to prevent that from happening to you.
The compliance checker scans your generated names against 16 CROA-prohibited language patterns drawn directly from FTC enforcement actions, CFPB bulletins, and state attorney general complaints. Names flagged as risky are not necessarily illegal, but they significantly increase your regulatory exposure.
Week 1: Legal Formation and Name Registration ($70-800)
Once you select a compliant name from the generator above, your next step is legal formation. In most states, this means filing an LLC ($50-500 depending on state), registering your business name with the Secretary of State, and checking for trademark conflicts on the USPTO TESS database. The entire process takes 3-7 business days in most jurisdictions.
For agencies in California, Texas, and Florida -- the three largest credit repair markets -- you will also need a surety bond. California requires a $100,000 bond (annual premium: $1,000-5,000 depending on credit), Texas requires $10,000, and Florida has no bond requirement, making it the easiest state for new agencies.
State-by-State Registration Requirements 2026
| State | Surety Bond | Registration Body | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $100,000 | Secretary of State | 10 business days |
| Texas | $10,000 | Comptroller | 30 days |
| Florida | None | DBPR | 5 business days |
| Georgia | $25,000 | Secretary of State | 15 days |
| New York | $25,000 | DOS | 20 days |
| Michigan | None | LARA | 7 days |
| Ohio | None | AG Office | 10 days |
Week 4: CRC Integration -- Your First Revenue Milestone
After your name is registered and your LLC is active, the next critical milestone is setting up your client management system. Credit Repair Cloud (CRC) provides the infrastructure 4,141 agencies already use: automated dispute letters, client portals, and revenue tracking. The 30-day free trial gives you enough time to onboard your first 3-5 clients and generate $500-2,500 in first-month revenue.
Start Free CRC Trial (30 Days)CROA Compliance: What the FTC Actually Enforces
The FTC enforces CROA Section 404(a), which prohibits credit repair organizations from making "any statement, or counsel or advise any consumer to make any statement, which is untrue or misleading." This extends to your business name. A name like "Instant Credit Fix" implies a speed and certainty of outcome that violates this provision because no credit repair outcome is guaranteed.
Beyond names, CROA requires specific disclosures in every client contract, including the consumer right to cancel within 3 business days and a statement that the consumer can dispute inaccurate information directly with credit bureaus at no cost. Our CROA Compliance Checklist covers all 12 required elements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special license to start a credit repair business?
Federal law (CROA) does not require a license, but most states require registration, and some require surety bonds. Check your state requirements in the table above. All credit repair businesses must comply with CROA regardless of state.
How much does it cost to start a credit repair business in 2026?
Total startup costs range from $500 to $5,000 depending on your state bond requirement. In no-bond states like Florida, Michigan, and Ohio, you can launch for under $500 (LLC filing + basic tools). Use our Startup Calculator for your exact breakdown.
How fast can I reach $10K/month in revenue?
With automation tools and consistent lead generation, most agencies reach $10K/month within 90 days. The key accelerator is using CRC for dispute automation combined with our AI Tool Matcher to build your optimal tool stack.
Can my business name include the word "credit" or "repair"?
Yes. The words "credit" and "repair" are perfectly fine. The violations come from guarantee language ("guaranteed," "instant," "delete"), implied outcomes ("fix your score"), or speed claims ("fast results"). Stick to professional descriptors like "advisors," "solutions," "consulting," or "partners."