Oregon Scrap Metal Dealer Registration Requirements

Oregon regulates scrap metal dealers under Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 165 (relating to metal theft crimes) and associated administrative rules. The Oregon Department of Revenue administers dealer registrations.

Registration at a Glance

Item	Detail
Issuing agency	Oregon Department of Revenue
Annual fee	$100 per location
Surety bond	None required statewide
Payment hold	3 business days — regulated metals
Cash payment	No cash for catalytic converters; check or EFT required
Record retention	2 years
Background check	Required for new applicants

Oregon Catalytic Converter Law (HB 4026, 2022)

Oregon's House Bill 4026 (2022) created specific requirements for catalytic converter purchases: seller photo ID, VIN of source vehicle, current vehicle registration or title, photograph of seller and converter, check payment only (no cash), and 3-business-day hold. Oregon also requires dealers to record the make, model, and year of the source vehicle to enable matching against vehicle theft records.

Portland Metro Additional Requirements

Multnomah County and the City of Portland have active metal theft enforcement programs. Portland dealers should verify current local ordinances with the Portland Bureau of Development Services and the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, as local requirements may be updated more frequently than state law.

FAQ

Oregon does not have a mandatory statewide electronic reporting system as of early 2025. However, several Oregon counties and municipalities have enacted local ordinances requiring electronic reporting through approved systems. Check with the law enforcement agency in each jurisdiction where you operate for current local reporting requirements.

Verify current Oregon requirements at oregon.gov/dor. Not legal advice.