Section 08.24.090 - License required(a) A person other than a collection agency licensed and authorized under this chapter may not for compensation (1) conduct a collection agency business in this state;(2) collect claims for others in this state;(3) solicit the right to collect or receive payment of a claim for another;(4) advertise or solicit either in print, by letter, in person or otherwise, the right to collect or receive payment of a claim for another;(5) seek to make collection or obtain payment of a claim on behalf of another.(b) This chapter does not apply to the following when engaged in the regular course of their respective businesses: (2) persons regularly employed on a regular wage or salary in the capacity of credit men or a similar capacity, except as an independent contractor;(3) banks, including trust departments of banks, fiduciaries and financing and lending institutions;(5) title insurers and abstract companies while doing an escrow business;(6) licensed real estate brokers;(7) employees of licensees under this chapter;(8) substation payment offices employed by or serving as independent contractors for public utilities.(c) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in a jail for not to exceed one year, or by a fine of not more than $1,000, or by both.