Nevada regulates scrap metal dealers under Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 647 (Secondhand Dealers and Scrap Metal Processors). Registration is administered by the Nevada Secretary of State, though local law enforcement — particularly Las Vegas Metropolitan Police — maintains active compliance programs.
Registration at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Issuing agency | Nevada Secretary of State |
| Annual fee | $200 per location |
| Surety bond | None required statewide |
| Payment hold | 3 business days — all regulated metals |
| Cash payment | No cash for catalytic converters and nonferrous metals |
| Electronic reporting | Required in Clark County — LeadsOnline daily |
| Record retention | 2 years |
Clark County / Las Vegas Metro Requirements
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) operates one of the most active metal theft investigation programs in the nation. Clark County dealers face additional requirements: mandatory daily LeadsOnline reporting, a photograph of every seller and every transaction, and a 72-hour hold on any material where the seller cannot produce vehicle documentation for auto parts.
Nevada Catalytic Converter Law (AB 466, 2023)
Nevada's Assembly Bill 466 (effective October 2023) requires: seller photo ID, VIN of source vehicle, vehicle ownership proof (title or current registration), photograph of the converter and seller, check payment only, and a 3-day hold. The law also requires dealers to record the type and approximate weight of each converter and submit this data to a state database maintained by the Nevada DMV.
FAQ
Verify current Nevada requirements at nvsos.gov and contact LVMPD for Clark County-specific requirements. Not legal advice.