West Virginia Scrap Metal Dealer Registration Requirements

West Virginia regulates scrap metal dealers under West Virginia Code § 47-25-1 et seq. (the Metal Recycling Business Act). The West Virginia Secretary of State administers dealer registrations.

Registration at a Glance

Item	Detail
Issuing agency	West Virginia Secretary of State
Annual fee	$100 per dealer
Surety bond	$25,000 — one of the highest in the nation
Background check	Required for owners and operators
Payment hold	3 business days — all regulated metals
Cash payment	No cash for nonferrous metals
Record retention	2 years

$25,000 bond: West Virginia's bond requirement is tied with Georgia for the highest in the nation. Ensure your bond is continuous — a lapsed bond results in immediate license suspension. Annual bond premiums for a $25,000 bond typically run $250–$750 depending on your credit history.

West Virginia Transaction Requirements

For every purchase of regulated nonferrous metals, West Virginia requires dealers to record:

Seller's full name, current address, and date of birth
Government-issued photo ID type and number
Physical description of the seller
Vehicle make, model, color, and license plate number
Description of materials (type, weight, value)
Date, time, and employee conducting the transaction

West Virginia's vehicle description requirement mirrors Alabama's — both states require more seller vehicle information than most. Ensure your transaction forms include these fields.

West Virginia Catalytic Converter Law

West Virginia enacted catalytic converter purchasing requirements under HB 4519 (2022). Requirements: seller photo ID, vehicle VIN, current registration or title, photograph of converter and seller, no cash payment, and a 3-business-day hold. West Virginia also prohibits purchasing catalytic converters from any seller who cannot identify the specific vehicle from which the converter was removed.

Frequently Asked Questions

West Virginia's registration is per-dealer rather than per-location, meaning a single dealer registration covers your business entity. However, the $25,000 bond must be filed, and each physical purchasing location must be listed in your registration. If you add new locations mid-year, you must update your registration to include the new address before you begin purchasing at that location.

Verify current West Virginia requirements at sos.wv.gov. Not legal advice.