Fort Worth, TX Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)
Key Facts
- State law
- TX Occupations Code Ch. 1956
- Local registration
- FWPD Pawn Unit
- Reporting system
- LeadsOnline daily uploads
- Holding period
- Minimum 72 hours
- Seller ID
- Government photo ID required
Summary
Secondhand dealers operating in Fort Worth must register with the Fort Worth Police Department, follow Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1956 reporting on metal and used goods, hold purchases for mandatory waiting periods, and report transactions through state-mandated electronic reporting systems for theft recovery.
Sec. 1956.022. ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE; QUALIFICATIONS. (a) The department shall issue a certificate of registration to an applicant who:(1) applies and pays a registration fee;(2) presents any relevant evidence relating to the applicant's qualifications as required by commission rule;(3) submits a declaration describing the extent to which the applicant intends to engage in transactions involving catalytic converters removed from motor vehicles in the course of the applicant's business activity;(4) presents evidence satisfactory to the department that the applicant intends to act as a metal recycling entity and use a fixed location to wholly or partly conduct an activity described by Section 1956.001(7);
Full Breakdown
Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1956 governs Crafted Precious Metal Dealers and metal recyclers, requiring registration with the Department of Public Safety, daily transaction reporting, seller identification, fingerprinting, and a hold on purchased items before resale. Fort Worth Police Department Pawn and Property Crimes Unit registers local secondhand businesses, monitors transactions through LeadsOnline, and inspects records. Dealers must capture seller ID, photo or video of items, serial numbers, and transaction details, then upload data daily to the state-approved system. Items must be held for at least 72 hours (longer for jewelry and metals) before resale, melting, or alteration. Compliance helps recover stolen property and supports criminal investigations.
Violations & Fines
Failing to register, accepting items from unverified sellers, missing daily LeadsOnline uploads, altering items before the holding period ends, or refusing FWPD inspection triggers state and local citations, business closure, and theft-receiving charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do flea market vendors and antique dealers count as secondhand dealers in Fort Worth?
How long must a Fort Worth secondhand dealer hold an item before selling it?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Worth
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Secondhand Dealers in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Tarrant County handle secondhand dealers.