This is some information that will be helpful to you in making sure your jewelry business is properly registered & licensed to operate in Texas.

On behalf of the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC), the registration application links for Crafted Precious Metal Dealers (CPMD’s) are available through the OCCC website. Effective January 1, 2012, all Crafted Precious Metal Dealers are required to register with the OCCC. The links can be accessed on the home page (http://occc.texas.gov/industry/cpmd).

Note: all CPMD registrations are completed and submitted through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Precious Metals portal. After selecting the appropriate registration link, you will be redirected to the DPS portal. OCCC consumer helpline: 1-800-538-1579.

All scales used in trade must be registered with the Texas Agriculture Department.

HOW TO OBTAIN AGRICULTURAL LICENSE:

Step 1: Go to www.TexasAgriculture.gov

Step 2: Click on Regulatory Programs Tab, a drop down box will appear, click “Weights & Measures” Tab

Step 3: You will see a title that reads “PROGRMS”, click on “WEIGHTS & MEASURES DEVICES LINK”

Step 4: Go to the forms link under “Resources” and you will be able to obtain the “Weights & Measures Device Registration
Certificate Application (RWM-700).  This link will download the instructions.
Step 5: Complete Application and submit
FEE $20.00 per year.

There are specific City Ordinances in Houston that apply to aspects of the jewelry industry. Rules for Crafted Precious Metal Dealers businesses can be located on the internet at: (http://occc.texas.gov/industry/cpmd) under Statutes and Rules and the City of Houston Municipal code can be located at: (https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances) under Chapter 7.

The application to renew the City of Houston Occupational License for Precious Metal Dealers can be found at: ( http://www.houstontx.gov/ara/regaffairs/commercialpermitting/antiquedealeretc.html).

While HB 2490 allows for manual reporting of purchases to city or county law enforcement with in 48 hours of purchase, online reporting is faster, more accurate, and costs less to operate than using the mandatory prenumbered state mandate forms, and some cities only allow for electronic reporting.  Similarly in order to comply with many of the aspects of  the Patriot Act, it is best to record purchases and report them electronically.  Leads On Line, a Texas based company, is free for buyers to use.  It also provides the public a free service Report IT to electronically record their valuables so that the information can be reported to law enforcement nationwide in the unfortunate event of a loss.