Payday loans in Arizona
Arizona caps the cost of small loans at 36% APR, so high-cost single-payment payday loans are not offered by licensed lenders there. Every figure on this page was checked against Arizona law on November 10, 2026.
- Status
- Capped at 36% APR
- Rate cap
- 36% APR
Arizona payday loan rules at a glance
- Legal status
- Capped at 36% APR
- Rate cap
- 36% APR
Checked against Arizona law on November 10, 2026.
The Northlight standard
- Highest APR
- 35.99%
- Time to repay
- 3 to 36 months
- Amounts
- $100 to $5,000
Example: $1,000 over 12 months at 35.99% APR is 12 payments of $100.46, $1,205.52 in total. Rates and terms
Key points
- Arizona limits the cost of small loans to 36% APR.
- High-cost single-payment payday loans are not legal there.
- Licensed lenders, credit unions and assistance programs remain available.
- Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions handles licensing questions and complaints.
On this page
Are payday loans legal in Arizona?
Arizona caps the cost of small loans at 36% APR, so high-cost single-payment payday loans are not offered by licensed lenders there.
The governing law is Consumer Lenders Act applies. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 6-601 et seq… Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions licenses lenders and takes complaints. Check a lender’s license there before you share bank details; how to tell if a lender is legitimate lists the other checks.
What the 36% cap means
A lender licensed in Arizona cannot charge more than 36% APR on a small loan. At that price the two-week payday loan is not a viable product, so storefront payday lenders do not operate in Arizona. Longer installment loans from licensed lenders and credit unions are the legal options.
A loan that meets the Northlight standard
Northlight works only with loans that carry an APR of 35.99% or less, fees included, and give you at least 3 months to repay. Arizona’s own cap draws nearly the same line.
For example, $1,000 repaid over 12 months at 35.99% APR is 12 payments of $100.46, or $1,205.52 in total. The calculator prices other amounts and terms.
If you cannot repay a loan in Arizona
Contact the lender before the due date and ask for a payment plan in writing. If a lender or collector breaks the rules, file a complaint with Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions and with the CFPB. Our guide to what happens if you don’t pay covers each step.
Lower-cost options in Arizona
- Credit union payday alternative loans (PALs): $200 to $2,000 at no more than 28% APR.
- A payment plan with the landlord, utility or hospital you owe often costs nothing.
- Local assistance: dial 211 for rent, utility and food programs near you.
See all payday loan alternatives.
How Arizona got here
Arizona’s payday lending law expired on June 30, 2010, after voters rejected Proposition 200 in 2008. Since then consumer loans of $3,000 or less are capped at 36% APR. Car title loans remain legal in Arizona and are expensive.
Free help in Arizona
- 211Free, confidential referrals to local help with rent, utilities and food. Call 211.
- USA.gov: help paying billsGovernment programs for rent, energy, phone and medical bills.
- National Foundation for Credit CounselingNonprofit credit counselors who can set up a debt management plan. Call 800-388-2227.
- CFPB complaint portalFile a federal complaint about a lender or a debt collector.
Common questions
Are payday loans legal in Arizona?
Only at low rates. Arizona caps small loans at 36% APR, which rules out traditional payday loans.
I got a payday loan offer online in Arizona. Is it safe?
Treat it with caution. A lender must follow Arizona law to lend to you, and many online offers come from unlicensed companies. Check the license with Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions before sharing bank details.
What can I use instead of a payday loan in Arizona?
A payday alternative loan from a federal credit union (capped at 28% APR), a payment plan with the company you owe, or local assistance through 211.
Can I be arrested for not repaying a payday loan in Arizona?
No. Not paying a loan is a civil matter, not a crime. A lender can still sue you in civil court, so never ignore a court summons.
Where do I complain about a lender in Arizona?
Contact Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions. You can also file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Does Northlight offer payday loans in Arizona?
No. Northlight is not a lender, and the loans we work with must carry an APR of 35.99% or less and run for at least 3 months. Single-payment payday loans do not meet that standard.
See the payment before you apply
Pick an amount and a term. The calculator shows the monthly payment, the total and the cost of credit at the highest APR we allow.
Sources
Keep reading
- ArkansasPayday loans are not legal in Arkansas. Learn what the law says, why online offers are risky and which lower-cost options you can use instead.
- AlaskaPayday loans are legal in Alaska. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.
- CaliforniaPayday loans are legal in California. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.
- AlabamaPayday loans are legal in Alabama. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.
- ColoradoColorado caps small loans at 36% APR, so high-cost payday loans are not offered. See what is allowed, who regulates lenders and what a loan costs.
- WyomingPayday loans are legal in Wyoming. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.