Missouri Scrap Metal Dealer Registration Requirements

Missouri regulates scrap metal dealers under Missouri Revised Statutes § 407.300 et seq. (Regulation of Scrap Metal Dealers). Registration is administered by the Missouri Secretary of State.

Registration at a Glance

Item	Detail
Issuing agency	Missouri Secretary of State
Annual fee	$100 per location
Surety bond	None required
Payment hold	3 business days — all regulated metals
Cash payment	No cash for regulated metals; check or ACH only
Record retention	1 year minimum
Background check	Required

Missouri Catalytic Converter Law (SB 78, 2023)

Missouri's Senate Bill 78 (2023) added specific catalytic converter purchasing requirements: seller photo ID, VIN of source vehicle, current registration or title, photograph of the converter and seller, payment by check only, and a 3-business-day hold. The law also created a new criminal offense of "trafficking in stolen catalytic converters" which can be charged as a Class D felony for dealers who purchase converters without required documentation.

St. Louis and Kansas City Additional Requirements

Both St. Louis City and Kansas City have enacted local ordinances with requirements that go beyond state law, including mandatory daily reporting through LeadsOnline and stricter prohibited items provisions. Dealers operating in either city should obtain a copy of the applicable municipal code section in addition to complying with state requirements.

FAQ

Yes — scrap metal dealers and pawnshops are separately regulated in Missouri. A scrap metal dealer license does not allow you to operate as a pawnshop, and a pawnshop license does not allow you to purchase bulk scrap metal from the public as a scrap dealer. If you operate a combined facility (accepting both pawn items and bulk scrap), you likely need both licenses. Contact the Missouri Secretary of State's office for clarification on your specific business model.

Verify current Missouri requirements at sos.mo.gov. Not legal advice.