Federal Regulations
State Resources
Alabama
Pawnbroker Licensing
Alabama Pawnbroker License Application
APA Original License Application Package
Pawn Shop Original Application
State Banking Department Credit Report Release Form
Dept. of Public Safety Release form
Calculating APR for Pawn Transactions – Note: all original Applications must be printed and mailed with all necessary attachments to the State Banking Department. An original application must be completed for each office location that conducts business in Alabama pursuant to each act.
Consumer Credit Act License Original Application – The Consumer Credit Act Application is for companies who will be a lender in the State of Alabama
Small Loan Act Original License Application – Alabama small loan act application package. Contains 4 required documents.
Pawnbroker Regulations
Alabama Pawn Shop Act – Title 5, Chapter 19A
Title Loan/ Pawn Lenders
Taxes
Steps to become a Designated Agent
Home Page Alabama Banking
Alaska
Business Information & Guides
Obtaining a business license
Laws for Obtaining a Business Name
Alaska Small Business Development Center
FAQ- AK Small Business
Alaska Small Business Guide & Resources
Pawnbroker Licensing
Application for Pawnbroker License
Alaska Pawnbroker Licensing Information
Pawnbroker Regulations
Taxes
Arizona
Pawnbroker License’s are Obtained at City & County Level
Business Information & Guides
AZ New Business License
Tradename Registration Guidelines
Arizona Small Business Services
Pawnbroker Licensing
License Guide
Pima County Pawnbroker License
Pawnbroker Regulations
Arizona Legislature Definition
Licensing Requirements
Pawn Tickets & Requirements
Pawnbrokers Report to Sheriff
Taxes
Arkansas
Business Information & Guides
Brochure For Starting a New Business in Arkansas
Pawnbroker Regulations
Arkansas Rules
Arkansas Pawnbroker Act
Taxes
Sales Tax Form
Sales Tax Lookup
Revenue Rules
Withholding Tax Forms
California
Prior to the granting of a license, you must contact your jurisdictional local agency (sheriff or chief of police), where your business will be located, not where you reside, to obtain the secondhand dealer or pawnbroker application package. The application package contains all of the necessary documentation and information you need to become authorized. Please Note: The DOJ does not provide this information to the applicant.
Business Information & Guides
CA State FAQ – See the last question: What are the steps I need to take to become an authorized Secondhand Dealer or Pawnbroker? Prior to the granting of a license, you must contact your jurisdictional local agency (sheriff or chief of police), where your business will be located, not where you reside, to obtain the secondhand dealer or pawnbroker application package. The application package contains all of the necessary documentation and information you need to become authorized.
Register for CA Business License
CA Employer Information
Filing Assistance- Business Entities
Register CA Business
CA Business Home Page
Pawnbroker Regulations
California Pawnbrokers Association
CA DOJ Becoming a Pawnbroker or Secondhand Dealer- Application Handbook
Financial Code- Pawnbroker Regulations
Taxes
Connecticut
Dealers in towns or cities with an organized police department are required to obtain their licenses from that police department.
Business Information & Guides
Register your business
Starting a new business guide & resources
Pawnbroker Licensing
Connecticut Pawnbroker Licensing Requirements
Pawnbroker Regulations
Taxes
Delaware
Business Information & Guides
Pawnbroker Regulations
Pawnbroker Licensing Regulations
Rules and Regulations
Pawnbroker General Provisions
Taxes
Florida
Business Information & Guides
How to Open a Pawn Shop in Florida
Florida Business Forms
Articles of Incorporation Form
Pawnbroker Licensing
Pawnbroker Regulations
The 2013 Florida Statutes- Florida Pawnbroking Act
Taxes
Florida Sales Tax Information
Florida Sales Tax Registration
Georgia
In most cases, the local municipal authority is responsible for licensing pawnshops and the local police department or sheriff’s office is responsible for monitoring pawnshops.
Business Information & Guides
Applying for a business license
Consumer Assistance Information
Pawnbroker Regulations
Title Loan/ Pawn Lenders
Hawaii
Business Information & Guides
Hawaii Business Registration
Business Name Search
Information on Registering
Business Registration Forms
Pawnbroker Licensing
Apply for Hawaii Pawnbroker License
Pawnbroker Regulations
Taxes
Idaho
Idaho Pawnbroker Licenses must be obtained through city or county officials. Licenses are not obtained at State level.
Business Information & Guides
Starting a Business in Idaho
Idaho Loan Programs for Small Businesses
Idaho Treasurer
Pawnbroker Licensing
Pawnbroker Regulations
Taxes
Illinois
Business Information & Guides
How to Register a Business in Illinois
Pawnbroker Licensing
Illinois Pawnbroker Application
Pawnbroker Regulations
Pawnbroker Regulation Act
Pawnbroker Administrative Rules
Taxes
Indiana
Business Information & Guides
New and Small Business Education Center
Pawnbroker Licensing
Indiana Pawnbroker Application
Indiana Pawnbroker Legislation
Pawnbroker Regulations
Starting a Pawn Business in Indiana
Taxes
Iowa
Iowa Pawnbroker License must be obtained through city or county officials. Pawn Licenses are not done at state level. Pawnbroker regulations are also done at city level.
Business Information & Guides
Read Before you Register
Iowa Business Registration Preview
Pawnbroker Licensing
Cedar Rapids Pawnbroker Application
West Burlington Pawnbroker Application
Pawnbroker Regulations
City of Burlington Regulations
City of Ottumwa
City of Waterloo
City of Muscatine
Taxes
Iowa Business Tax Registration
Iowa Business Taxes
Iowa Tax Registration Form
Kansas
Kansas Pawnbroker Licenses are obtained through the city or county level.
Business Information & Guides
Starting A Business In Kansas
Steps to Success- Starting a business in Kansas guide
Register your Business
Pawnbroker Licensing
Newton, KS Pawnbroker Application
Sedgwick County, KS Pawnbroker Application
Overland Park, KS Pawnbroker Application
Pawnbroker Regulations
Regulation of Pawnbrokers
Kansas Statutes for Pawnbrokers
Taxes
Kentucky
Pawnbroker licenses are obtained at the city level, not state level.
Business Information & Guides
Start My Business in Kentucky
Business startup Checklist
Pawnbroker Licensing
Local Requirements- Search for relevant government information
Pawnbroker Regulations
Kentucky Legislature
City of Williamsburg
Kentucky Revised Statutes
Taxes
Louisiana
Business Information & Guides
Checklist for Starting a New Business in Louisiana
Small business information for Louisiana
Louisiana Pawnbroker Statutes
Pawnbroker Licensing
Louisiana Pawnbroker Application
Pawnbroker Regulations
Taxes
Maine
The Legislature retained the requirement for pawnbrokers to obtain a license from their city or town. (If the pawnbroker does not have a city or town license, then he or she must obtain a Supervised Lender license from the State. This is an expensive and difficult process, so prospective pawnbrokers are urged to work with their municipality to obtain a license.
Business Information & Guides
Starting a Business in Maine
Starting a Business Checklist
Maine Women’s Business Center
Pawnbroker Licensing
Application for Pawnbroker License
Pawnbroker Regulations
Taxes
Maryland
Business Information & Guides
Maryland Business Checklist
Starting a Business in Maryland
Pawnbroker Licensing
Maryland Pawnbroker Licensing Fact Sheet
Maryland Pawnbroker Application
Pawnbroker Regulations
Maryland Pawnbroker Requirements
Maryland Pawnbroker Act
Taxes
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Pawnbroker’s Licenses are obtained at City or Town level.
Business Information & Guides
Starting a New Business in Massachusetts
Pawnbroker Licensing
Cambridge, MA
Plymouth, MA
Lynn, MA
Worcester, MA
Chicopee, MA
Pawnbroker Regulations
Approved MA Pawnbroker Regulations & Interest Rates
MA Pawnbroker Laws Regarding Licensing
Taxes
Michigan
Michigan Pawnbroker’s Licenses are obtained at City or Town level. Cities regulate second hand dealers as well.
Business Information & Guides
Start a Business in Michigan
Michigan Business Resource Guide
Pawnbroker Licensing
Required Licenses for Pawnshops
Pawnbroker Regulations
Michigan Pawnbroker Act
Michigan Pawnbroker Act- Sections
Taxes
Minnesota
Minnesota Pawnbroker’s Licenses are obtained at City or Town level.
Business Information & Guides
Start a Business in Minnesota
Starting a Business in Minnesota Guides
Pawnbroker Licensing
Moorhead, MN Application
St. Paul, MN License Requirements
St. Paul, MN Application
Cloquet, MN Application
Pawnbroker Regulations
Taxes
Mississippi
Business Information & Guides
How to Start a Business in Mississippi
Register your Business
Pawnbroker Licensing
Pawnbroker Application Forms & Instructions
Pawnbroker Application Instructions
Mississippi Pawnbroker Application
Pawnbroker Surety Bond
Pawnbroker Regulations
Taxes
Mississippi State Tax Withholding
Register with the Mississippi State Tax Commission
Missouri
Missouri Pawnbroker’s Licenses are obtained at City or Town level.
Business Information & Guides
Start a Business in Missouri
Business Registration Checklist
MO Small Business Start Up Guide
Pawnbroker Licensing
St. Louis, MO Application
Independence, MO Application
Stockton, MO Regulation
Pawnbroker Regulations
Taxes
Missouri Business Tax Information
Small Business Tax Information
Missouri Tax Registration Application
Montana
Montana Pawnbroker’s Licenses are also licensed by “Title Loan Licensing”
Business Information & Guides
How to Launch a Business in Montana
Start a Business in Montana Guide
Business Start-Up Checklist
Application for Reservation of Business Name
Pawnbroker Licensing
Montana Licensing
One Stop Business Licensing
Pawnbroker Regulations
Montana Pawnbroker to Keep a Register
Interest Pawnbrokers May Receive
Pawnbroker Exemption Repealed
Taxes
Nebraska
Pawnbroker License must be obtained at City level.
Business Information & Guides
Starting a Business in Nebraska
New Business Information
One Stop Business Registration
Small Business Administration Nebraska
Pawnbroker Licensing
Lincoln, NE
Poulsbro, NE
Green Island, NE
Pawnbroker Regulations
Taxes
Nevada
The City of Las Vegas is NOT currently issuing new Pawnbroker licenses. Any applications must be for existing Pawnbroker licenses change of ownership.
Business Information & Guides
Start a Business in Nevada
Nevada Small Business Development Center
Step By Step Guide to Starting a Business in Nevada
Pawnbroker Licensing
Las Vegas Pawnbroker
State Business License Requirements
Nevada State FAQ
Pawnbroker Regulations
Taxes
Nevada Business Taxes
Business Tax FAQ
Welcome to the Dept. Of Taxation Packet
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Pawnbroker’s Licenses are obtained at City or Town level. Cities are responsible to regulate Pawnbrokers.
Business Information & Guides
Doing Business in New Hampshire
Starting A Business in New Hampshire
Pawnbroker Regulations
Belmont, NH Regulations
Nashua, NH
Plaistow, NH
Taxes
New Jersey
Business Information & Guides
Pawnbroker Licensing
Pawnbroker Regulations
Pawnbroker License Requirements
Pawnbroker License Fingerprinting
Pawnbrokering Law Regulations
Taxes
New Mexico
Every pawnbroker shall obtain a pawnbroker permit from the City Clerk.
Business Information & Guides
Starting a Business in New Mexico
Register Your Business
Application for Business Tax
Steps to Starting a Business
Pawnbroker Licensing
Aztec, NM Application
Carlsbad, NM Application
Pawnbroker Regulations
New Mexico Pawnbrokers Act
Pawnbroker Regulations
Taxes
New York
Business Information & Guides
Starting a Business in New York Brochure
Business Name Availability
Pawnbroker Licensing
Pawnbroker License Info
New York Basic License Application
Secondhand Dealer License Information
Obtain Certificate of Authority
Fillable Certificate of Incorporation
Pawnbroker Regulations
Laws of New York for Pawn Brokers
Taxes
North Carolina
Individuals who engage in the practice of a profession of loan agencies, check cashers, and pawnbrokers must obtain a State privilege license and pay a tax before they engage in business. In North Carolina, Pawnbrokers must also get a pawnbroker’s license through their county or city depending on who regulates.
Business Information & Guides
Organizing your LLC in North Carolina
Starting a New Business in North Carolina
Online Business Registration
Business Startup Guide
New Business Packet Request Form
Pawnbroker Licensing
Application for State Privilage License
Pawnbroker Regulations
North Carolina Pawnbroker Regulations
Taxes
North Dakota
Pawnbrokers are licensed and supervised by the municipality in which they are located.
Business Information & Guides
Registering your Business Name
Pawnbroker Licensing
West Fargo, ND Application
Fargo, ND Application
Taxes
Ohio
Business Information & Guides
Start A Business in Ohio
Register Your Business in Ohio
Pawnbroker Licensing
Pawnbroker Regulations
Taxes
Oklahoma
Business Information & Guides
How to start a business in Oklahoma
Starting your business
Register your business
Pawnbroker Licensing
Oklahoma Pawnbroker Application
Pawnbroker Regulations
Oklahoma Pawnbroker Regulations
Oklahoma Pawnbroker Association
Oklahoma Pawnbroker Act
Taxes
Oregon
Business Information & Guides
Pawnbroker Licensing
Pawnbroker Regulations
Oregon Statutes for Pawnbrokers
Taxes
Pennsylvania
Business Information & Guides
Starting A Business in Pennsylvania Guide
Starting A Business in PA Checklist
Pawnbroker Licensing
Pawnbroker Regulations
Taxes
Rhode Island
Business Information & Guides
Starting A Business in RI
Register your new business
First Stop Business Info Center
Pawnbroker Licensing
Precious Metals Dealer License
Pawnbroker Regulations
Taxes
South Carolina
Business Information & Guides
Starting a Business in South Carolina
Start Your Business Guide
Pawnbroker Licensing
SC Pawnbroker License Information
Pawnbroker Application
Pawnbroker Regulations
South Carolina Pawnbroker Regulations
Taxes
South Dakota
County Commissioners are specifically authorized by South Dakota Statutes to regulate and license pawnbrokers.
Business Information & Guides
Start a Business in South Dakota
Pawnbroker Licensing
Licensing & Registering your Business
Pawnbroker Regulations
South Dakota Pawnbroker Regulations
Small Business Information
Small Business Association of South Dakota
Taxes
Tennessee
Tennessee pawnbrokers are required to get a pawnbroker license through their local city or county officials.
Business Information & Guides
Tennessee Small Business Center
How to Set Up Your Business
Pawnbroker Licensing
Anderson County, TN Pawn Broker Appliation
Hamilton County, TN Pawnbroker Application
Pawnbroker Regulations
Pawnbroker Requirements
Tennessee Pawnbroker & Title Loan Regulations
Taxes
Texas
Business Information & Guides
Guides and Resources to Start A Business in Texas
Pawnbroker Licensing
Texas Pawn Shop License Information
Pawnshop Application Checklist and License
Application for Pawnshop Employee License
Pawnbroker Regulations
Regulations and Requirements
Small Business Information
Taxes
Utah
Business Information & Guides
Starting a Business in Utah
Running a Business in Utah
Pawnbroker Licensing
Pawnbroker Regulations
Utah Pawnbroker Regulations
Pawnshop & Secondhand Merchant Packet
Taxes
Vermont
The selectmen of a town or the aldermen of a city may grant to such citizens as they deem proper, and who produce satisfactory evidence of their good character, a license authorizing such citizens to carry on the business of a pawnbroker.
Business Information & Guides
Start a Business in Vermont Checklist
Vermont Business Resources
Pawnbroker Regulations
Taxes
Virginia
Virginia Pawnbroker Licenses must be obtained through city or county officials.
Business Information & Guides
Pawnbroker Licensing
City of Falls Church, VA
York County VA
Pawnbroker Regulations
Virginia Pawnbroker Regulations
Taxes
Washington
Business Information & Guides
Start a Business in Washington
Pawnbroker Licensing
Washington Business License Guide
Pawnbroker Regulations
Taxes
West Virginia
Pawnshops and Pawnbrokers are not supervised and/or regulated by the State of West Virginia. Instead, they are required to have a license from the municipality or other local area government in which they operate. They are required to obtain a business license from the Secretary of State and register with the State Tax Division.
Pawnbroker Licensing
Start a West Virginia Business
Pawnbrokers are regulated at local level
Pawnbroker Regulations
West Virginia Pawnbroker Regulations
Taxes
Wisconsin
Pawn shop in Wisconsin apply for a license to the clerk of the municipality.
Business Information & Guides
Pawnbroker Regulations
Wisconsin Pawnbroker Regulations
Taxes
Glossary of Pawn Terms
4473, Form – A Firearms Transaction Record, or Form 4473, is a United States government form that must be filled out when a person purchases a firearm from Federal Firearm License holder (such as a gun shop).
1D Barcode – A 1D barcode is a series of vertical lines that is an optical machine-readable representation of data relating to the object to which it is attached. Originally barcodes systematically represented data by varying the widths and spacing of parallel lines, and may be referred to as linear or one-dimensional.
2D Barcode – Barcodes evolved into rectangles, dots, hexagons and other geometric patterns in two dimensions (2D). Also known as QR codes. Frequently the term 3D barcode is used, but this is generally incorrect as a 3D barcode has depth, is engraved and only used in very specialized applications.
Amortization Schedule – The process of paying off a debt, loan or mortgage over time through regular payments. A portion of each payment is for interest while the remaining amount is applied towards the principal balance. The percentage of interest versus principal in each payment is determined in an amortization schedule.
APR – The term annual percentage rate (APR), also called nominal APR, and the term effective APR, also called EAPR, describes the interest rate for a whole year (annualized), rather than just a monthly fee/rate, as applied on a debit, loan, mortgage, credit card, etc.
ATF – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is a federal law enforcement organization within the United States Department of Justice. The ATF also regulates via licensing the sale, possession, and transportation of firearms, ammunition, and explosives in interstate commerce.
Auction – An add-on module for Pawn Master that provides a virtual inventory location used for tracking items that have been listed in various web-sites. Items moved to auction can still be sold from the shop and additional reports are available.
Barbell label – See Jewelry Label.
Barcode – A barcode is an optical machine-readable representation of data relating to the object to which it is attached. Originally barcodes systematically represented data by varying the widths and spacing of parallel lines, and may be referred to as linear or one-dimensional.
BATF – See ATF above.
Bin Number – The system used buy the shop used to locate stored merchandise. May be boxes, selves, cabinets, safes etc. . .
Blind Closeout- The act of totaling the funds in a cash drawer without having the expected total know at the time of summing the funds.
Buy Option – Is a contract to provide the seller the first opportunity to buy back goods sold within the duration of the contract. Buy Option contracts are often used where pawn loans are restricted or prohibited by law.
Compounding Interest- When interest is added to the principal, so that, from that moment on, the interest that has been added also earns interest. The period the interest is compounded may be, daily, monthly or annually.
Counterfeit – To imitate something. Counterfeit products are fake replicas of the real products.
Currency Delimiter- Symbol use for a currency digit separator, used for ease of reading. Different cultures use different symbols for the decimal mark.
Date out – The date that items being held become available to move into sales inventory.
Debit Card – A card issued by a bank allowing the holder to transfer money electronically to another bank account when making a purchase.
Depreciated value- is the loss in value that naturally occurs as an object is put to use or ages. When determining this value, use a mathematical formula that will take into consideration the original value of the item, the scrap value of the item and the expected age of the item.
Dumbbell label – See Jewelry Label.
DWT – A pennyweight (abbreviated dwt) is a unit of mass that is equal to 24 grains, 1⁄20 of an International avoirdupois ounce, 1⁄240 of an international avoirdupois pound and exactly 1.55517384 grams.
Eat the tax – A formula to recalculate the discount so that the final price includes all taxes.
Encoding – A method of encrypting information that appears on labels using a number/letter substitution cypher.
FFL – A Federal Firearms License (FFL) is a license that enables an individual or a company to engage in a business pertaining to the manufacture of firearms and ammunition or the interstate and intrastate sale of firearms.
Financial Instruments – a tradable asset of any kind; either cash or is a document guaranteeing the payment of a specific amount of money, either on demand, or at a set time, without conditions.
Forfeit – Lost or surrendered pledged property for failure to pay a loan. (see also Pulls)
Grace Days – A set time period allowed before a penalty is applied.
Gram – Is a metric system unit of mass, defined as one one-thousandth of the kilogram. One International avoirdupois ounce (oz) = 28.349523125 grams (g)
Hold Period – A number of days, usually required by law, before an action can be completed. Such as from the time a firearm is paid for before it may leave the shop or the number of day that must pass before the collateral on a defaulted loan can be sold.
Installment – A sum of money due as one of several equal payments for something, spread over an agreed period of time: “paid in installments”.
Interest – a fee paid by a borrower of assets (money) to the owner as a form of compensation for the use of the assets.
Jewelry Label – A specialized label with a narrow section used to minimize or eliminate adhesive marring the item it is attached to.
Karat – The carat or karat (symbol: K or kt) is a unit of purity for gold alloys. 24kt is considered to be pure gold with no other alloying metal added. Gold purity is calculated by dividing the karat by 24 (22kt = 91.6% pure).
KeyDX – An add-on module for Pawn Master that uploads over fifty reports to a secure website for retrieval to any web-enabled device anywhere web access is available.
Layaway – An agreement in which the seller reserves an item for a consumer until the consumer completes all the payments necessary to pay for that item. Rather than taking the item home and then repaying the debt on a regular schedule, as in most installment plans or hire purchases, the layaway customer does not receive the item until it is completely paid for.
Mag Stripe – A magnetic stripe card is a type of card capable of storing data by modifying the magnetism of tiny iron-based magnetic particles on a band of magnetic material on the card. The magnetic stripe, sometimes called swipe, is read by swiping past a magnetic reading head.
Markdown – A reduction in price.
Markup – The amount added to the cost price of goods to cover overhead and profit.
Memo – Short for memorandum, memos are a method of tracking inventory assigned to a 3rd party to sell on behalf of the shop.
Memorandum of extension – A short written statement outlining the terms of an agreement,
T transaction, or contract.
Negotiable instrument – see financial instrument.
Option – See Buy Option.
Ounce – Abbreviated oz, from the former Italian word oncia; is a unit of mass with several definitions, the most commonly used of which is equal to approximately 28 grams.
Pawn – Another name for a pledge. To provide a physical asset to warranty repayment of a debit.
Penny Weight – See dwt.
Principle – The amount borrowed or the amount still owed on a loan, separate from interest.
Prorate – To divide, distribute, or assess proportionately.
Pulls – Items that have forfeited and are eligible to be added to inventory to sell. Any required hold periods have expired.
Quick Quote – Module available for Pawn Master. This Module allows adding more metal types in addition to yellow gold.
Rat tail label – See Jewelry Label.
Rate table – A group of values measured in amounts of funds and percentages used to calculate the terms of a loan.
Redemption – To pay off, such as for a promissory note.
Regulation Z – A specific Federal Reserve Board regulation that requires debt lenders to disclose all the specifics of a given loan. This was done to promote a level of credit protection for the underlying consumer. Most of the requirements imposed by the 1968 Truth in Lending Act are contained within Regulation Z, and the two terms are often used interchangeably.
Scrap – The act of removing metal from inventory to be sent to the refiner.
Scrap bucket – An inventory location in Pawn Master used to hold items allocated to be sent to the refiner. The shop may or may not have an actual physical bucket or buckets for scrap jewelry.
Simple Interest – Determined by multiplying the interest rate by the principal by the number of periods. It is called simple because it ignores the effects of compounding.
SMS – Short Message Service is a text messaging service component of phone, web, or mobile communication systems, using standardized communications protocols that allow the exchange of short text messages between fixed line or mobile phone devices.
Statement – A printed history of all payments made. A formal record of the financial activities of a person, business or other entity.
Surveillance – is the monitoring of the behavior, activities, or other changing information, usually of people for the purpose of influencing, managing, directing, or protecting property.
Text Messaging – A module available for installation in Pawn Master used to send payment reminders and promotion alerts. (see also SMS)
Ticket – A pawnbroker’s receipt for articles taken as security bearing particulars of the loan.
Title – The certificate of title for a vehicle (also known as a car title or pink slip) is a legal form, establishing a person or business as the legal owner of a vehicle
Title loan – is a type of secured loan where the borrower can use their vehicle title as collateral. Borrowers who get title loans must allow a lender to place a lien on their car title, and temporarily surrender the hard copy of their vehicle title, in exchange for a loan amount.
Truth in lending- See Regulation Z
Vender – A person or agency that sells merchandise to the shop for immediate resale.
Void – To undue a transaction. A record of the void is retained.
WCSA – Watch Certification Services of America – Don’t Buy Fake Rolex Watches. A database of counterfeit watches: http://www.watchcsa.com/