Burke County, NC Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

Sec. 14-96 states the core requirement: it is unlawful for any person to establish, operate or conduct business as a pawnbroker in the county without first obtaining a license. Sec. 14-98 sets the qualifications: the applicant must be of good moral character and not have been convicted of a felony within the past ten years, and must file with the sheriff's department an application disclosing ownership, net assets or capital, an affidavit of no recent felony conviction, and a certificate from the sheriff or the state bureau of investigation confirming that record, supported by fingerprinting.

Sec. 14-99 requires an annual license fee set by the board of commissioners, prorated by half for applications filed between January 1 and June 30. Sec. 00 bond payable to the county with two sureties or an approved surety company. The license, per Sec. 14-101, is not transferable, and under Sec. 14-102 it runs annually and expires every June 30. Beyond the county license, Sec. 14-82 requires every pawnbroker and employee to comply with the state Pawnbrokers and Cash Converters Modernization Act, including customer identification under Sec. 14-83 and transaction recordkeeping under Sec. 14-84.