Pawnshop Employee License in Texas

Texas Statutes
Finance Code
Title 4. Regulation Of Interest, Loans, And Financed Transactions
Subtitle C. Pawnshops
Chapter 371. Pawnshops
Subchapter C. Pawnshop Employee License

§ 371.101. Pawnshop Employee License Required

(a)    An individual who begins employment at a pawnshop must apply to the commissioner for a pawnshop employee license not later than the 75th day after the date employment begins.
(b)    The individual may continue employment until the license is issued or denied.
(c)    A pawnbroker may not employ an individual to write a pawn transaction, buy or sell merchandise, or supervise another employee who writes pawn transactions or buys or sells merchandise unless the individual:
(1)    has complied with Subsection (a) but has not been issued or denied a license; or
(2)    holds a pawnshop employee license.
(d)    Subsection (c) does not apply to an individual who:
(1)    has an ownership interest in the pawnshop license; and
(2)    is named on the application.

Cite as Tex. Fin. Code § 371.101

§ 371.102. Eligibility

(a)    To be eligible for a pawnshop employee license, an individual must:
(1)    be of good moral character and good business repute; and
(2)    possess the character and general fitness necessary to warrant belief that the individual will operate the business lawfully and fairly under this chapter.
(b)    For purposes of a disqualification under Chapter 53, Occupations Code, the commissioner is a licensing authority.

Cite as Tex. Fin. Code § 371.102

§ 371.103. License Application; Fees

(a)    An application for a pawnshop employee license must state:
(1)    the applicant's name and address;
(2)    the name of the pawnshop at which the applicant is employed;
(3)    whether the applicant has:
(A)    been convicted of or is under indictment for a crime;
(B)    had a license to engage in an occupation, business, or profession revoked or suspended; or
(C)    been denied an occupational, business, or professional license, including a pawnshop employee license, in this or another state;
(4)    if the applicant has had a license described by Subdivision (3)(B) revoked or suspended, the reason for the action;
(5)    each business or occupation in which the applicant engaged for the five years preceding the date of application; and
(6)    other relevant information the commissioner requires.
(b)    The application must be accompanied by an investigation and annual fee of $25.

Cite as Tex. Fin. Code § 371.103

§ 371.104. Approval Or Denial Of Application

(a)    Not later than the 60th day after the date an application is filed, the commissioner shall determine whether the applicant qualifies for a pawnshop employee license.
(b)    The commissioner shall approve the application and issue a license if the commissioner finds that the applicant qualifies for a license.
(c)    If the commissioner does not make the finding required by Subsection (b), the commissioner in writing shall notify the applicant and the employing pawnbroker that the application will be denied unless the applicant, in writing and not later than the 30th day after the date of the notice, requests a hearing on the application.
(d)    An application is denied on the 31st day after the date of the notice if the applicant does not request a hearing in the time allowed.
(e)    If an applicant requests a hearing in the time allowed, the commissioner shall conduct a hearing on the application. On the conclusion of the hearing, the commissioner shall approve or deny the application.

Cite as Tex. Fin. Code § 371.104

§ 371.105. License Term

A pawnshop employee license is effective until the license expires or is surrendered, suspended, or revoked.

Cite as Tex. Fin. Code § 371.105

§ 371.106. Annual License Fee; Expiration

(a)    Not later than December 1, a pawnshop employee license holder shall pay to the commissioner an annual fee of $15 for the year beginning the next January 1.
(b)    The commissioner shall send written notice of delinquency to a license holder who does not pay the fee on or before December 1.
(c)    If the annual fee for a license is not paid before the 16th day after the date of the delinquency notice, the license expires on the later of:
(1)    that day; or
(2)    January 1 of the first year for which the annual fee was not paid.

Cite as Tex. Fin. Code § 371.106