Frequently Asked Questions

The following are frequently asked questions about using ALECS to obtain and renew a license or registration. These questions are broken down by industry as much as possible. If you have specific legal questions, please seek the advice of an attorney.

CREDIT ACCESS BUSINESS FAQ

Q: What is a Credit Access Business?
A: Credit access businesses obtain credit for a consumer from an independent third-party lender in the form of a deferred presentment transaction or a motor vehicle title loan, more commonly referred to as “payday loans” or “title loans.”

Q: What are CAB application requirements?
A: CAB New Application Checklist

Q: What is a Third Party Lender(s) Information?
A: Organization(s) with which the business contracts to provide services described by Section 393.602(a) or from which the business arranges extensions of customer credit described by Section 393.602(a).

Q: What is CSO Information?
A: Each Credit Access Business (CAB) location must be registered with the Texas Secretary of State as a Credit Services Organization. Contact the Texas Secretary of State for more regarding this registration. We will need your Certificate confirming your registration.

CURRENT LICENSEES WITH AN ALECS ACCOUNT FAQ

Q. How do I add a location?
A. Log into your account and select "submit application", then select your license type.
Note: The questions about prior financing are specific to the new location, not your current location.

Q. How do I change a location address?
A. Under the tab "Manage My Business", select "Modify License Location".

Q. How do I change the mailing address?
A. Under the tab "Manage My Business", select "Update Mailing Details". It is important to keep this information updated as this is where we will send any mailed correspondence such as but not limited to renewal notices.

Q. How do I change the Compliance Officer?
A. Under the tab "Manage My Business", select "Update Compliance Details"

FINGER PRINT FAQ

Q. When do I get a fingerprint appointment?
A. If we need prints, your reviewer will send you a request with instructions to schedule your appointment through the portal ALECS.

Q. How do I schedule a fingerprint appointment?
A. Follow the instructions available here: https://occc.texas.gov/industry/fingerprints

Q. I think my prints are on file. Do I need an appointment?
A. A search for prints will be completed during the initial review of your application. If prints are needed, your reviewer will send you a request. ​ We are unable to view prints processed for other agencies.

Q. I had my fingerprints done for another agency, why am I being requested to complete prints?
A. The OCCC is unable to view print results for other agencies.

MOTOR VEHICLE SALES FINANCING FAQ

Q. What is a Motor Vehicle license for?
A. Businesses required to be licensed by the OCCC include, but are not limited to: Dealers Holding contracts (Buy Here Pay Here), Dealers Assigning Contracts, Acceptance Companies

Q. What are the application requirements?
A. MV New Application Checklist

Q. How do I get a Certificate of Good Standing?
A. The Certificate of Good Standing is now called Franchise Tax Account Status. Click here, take a screen shot and upload the results (the status must show ACTIVE & the "as of date" should be no more than 3 months old): Certificate of Good Standing/Franchise Tax Account Status

Q. Who is my Statutory Agent?
A. The person your company chooses to receive legal correspondence at a Texas residential address other than the licensed location (licensed dealership location).

Q. Where do I get a copy of an Assumed Name certificate?
A. Sole proprietors & General Partnerships should contact their county office. All others should contact the Texas Secretary of State. (County clerk certificates are not acceptable for LLC's, Corporations, LTD's, Estates & Trusts)

Q. What is a loan document?
A. The retail installment contract you plan to use to finance vehicles. Please upload a sample copy. If you do not have one, please contact one of the vendors and acquire the software or form that best fits your business needs here: Reviewed Motor Vehicle Software Vendors

  • MOTOR VEHICLE SALES FINANCE (RENEWAL)
  • Q. What are the renewal fees?
  • A. $460 (annual) is the renewal fee allowed by law.
  • Q. Why is the fee higher than last year?
  • A. When available, the commissioner may approve a discount.
  • Q. I just created an account, but can't renew. Why?
  • A. Please allow 3-4 business days. You will be emailed as soon as your business link is approved and only then will you be able to log in and renew your license.
  • Detailed Explanation:
  • Under the dashboard tab, there is a line item that says "claim business". That means you entered either the company FEIN or the sole proprietor's SSN as prompted, and a request was sent to the OCCC to allow you access to the company information. Once the request is approved, you will be able to renew, and when you log in, ou will see your company master file number above the dashboard tab.

Q. My license isn't coming up when I try to pay and it was coming up before.
A. From dashboard, click on the tab "My Business Transactions" or "My New Requests". Click on the line item that shows your renewal was initiated. Click on pay to proceed.

Q. What is the Motor Vehicle renewal due date?
A. October 1st. However, there is a grace period until October 31st.

NEW LICENSE APPLICATIONS FAQ (SUBMITTING)

Q. What documents will I need to upload when I apply?
A. Please see the New Application Checklist under your industry's page.

Q. What is a principal party?
A. Generally anyone who owns 10% or more of the applying business. Review the appropriate section of the Texas Administrative Code to confirm what applies to your business.

Q. How do I get a Certificate of Good Standing?
A. The Certificate of Good Standing is now called Franchise Tax Account Status. Click here and upload the results: Certificate of Good Standing/Franchise Tax Account Status

Q. Who is my Statutory Agent?
A. The person your company chooses to receive legal correspondence at a Texas residential address other than the licensed location (licensed dealership location).

Q. Where do I get a copy of an Assumed Name certificate?
A. Sole proprietors & General Partnerships should contact their county office. All others should contact the Texas Secretary of State. (County clerk certificates are not acceptable for LLC's, Corporations, LTD's, Estates & Trusts)

Q. What is a loan document? (Specific to Motor Vehicle Sales Finance)
A. The retail installment contract you plan to use to finance vehicles. Please upload a sample copy. For software programs have been reviewed for compliance: Reviewed Motor Vehicle Software Vendors.

Q. I can't pay. The principal party can't create an account, or the account isn't working.
A. You will need to complete the principal confirmation in order to be able to move forward with payment. Please remember that the new account will be created by selecting the radio button that lists Principal Confirmation & use the individuals SSN.

PAWNSHOP EMPLOYEE FAQ

Q. I am getting an error message when I enter my Employers Master File?
A. If the error messages says" The master file does not have any active pawnshop licenses or Opted out of the pawn employee license program. You will not be able to proceed with pawn employee application." Your pawn shop has opted out of licensing Pawn Employees through the OCCC. You will not be able to submit an application. See your employer or corporate office for more questions.

Q. What fees are involved in obtaining a Pawn Employee license?
A. $50 for every new application and $25 for the annual renewal

Q. My employee isn’t listed to be renewed. What do I do?
A. Do an advanced search in ALECS to be sure the employee is listed at your company here. If the employee isn’t listed at your company, the employee needs to log in to their account and update their employer after clicking "Manage My Business". A guide is here.

Q. How do I print my employee's license?
A. Employees must log in to their personal account to print their license from their own account. Manage My Business > Print License

Q. Employee status is canceled in a search, but the license was renewed last year. What do I do?
A. Email proof last year’s payment cleared with the employee license number to pawnemployee@occc.texas.gov.

Q. I show pawn employees who don't work for me anymore available to renew. What do I need to do?
A. List them as inactive under “Manage My Business”.

Q. Do the employees need to sign the renewal forms or answer questions like previous years?
A. No.

Q. Employee who applied isn't licensed yet. Do they need to renew?
A. If their application has not been approved when the renewal period opens, they will not need to be renewed.

Q. When is the fee due?
A. No later than June 30th.

PAWN SHOP FAQ

Q. What are the application requirements for a new pawn shop?
A. Pawn Shop New Application Checklist

Q. What are the application requirements to transfer a pawn shop license?
A. Pawn Shop Transfer Application Checklist

Q. Can I begin conducting business while my application is being processed?
A. No.
Texas Finance Code Sec. 371.051

Q. What are the fees for a new pawnshop application?
A. $875 if the applicant does not hold a license in the applying Masterfile. Transfer fees vary according to circumstances. See the Texas Administrative Code for more detail.
Texas Finance Code Sec. 371.055

Q. What are the distance requirements for a new pawnshop?
A. TAC Rule §85.202 (c) defines distance requirements for a new pawnshop based on the population of the county according to the most recent decennial census.
A county with a population of less than 250,000 can operate within the county regardless of distance from another operating pawnshop;
A county with a population of 250,000 or more cannot be approved if less than two miles from another operating pawnshop.

Q. What are the distance requirements for pawnshop relocations?
A. TAC Rule §85.203 (f) states the distance requirements based upon the size of the county for the proposed facility, whether the pawnshop was in operation, and length of time that the pawnshop was operating continuously at the current location.

Q. How are distances measured?
A. Texas Finance Code Sec. 371.059 (d), TAC Rule §85.202 (c), TAC Rule §85.203 (f) Distances will be measured in a direct line despite travel patterns and natural or manmade obstacles and will be measured from front door to front door.

Q. How do I measure distance for a facility not in existence?
A. Texas Finance Code Sec. 371.059 (d) For a facility not in existence at the time the application is filed, the location of the front door of the proposed facility must be indicated on architectural drawings or comparable professionally prepared drawings depicting the facility and the entire boundary of the lot or parcel of land to which the facility is to be attached.

Q. Are surveys required?
A. The Commissioner may require a survey to determine distances from the proposed pawnshop to existing Active pawnshops.

Q. What is a pawn notice?
A. Texas Finance Code Sec. 371.057 requires notification to the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas, each local law enforcement agency in the county in which the business is to be conducted; and each pawnbroker in the county in which the applicant pawnshop is to be located.

Q. What is the fee for a pawn notice?
A. The fee is determined by the number of pawnshops in the county in which the business is to be conducted.

Q. What is the net asset requirement for a new pawnshop?
A. Texas Finance Code Sec. 371.072 (a) The applicant must maintain net assets of at least $150,000 that are used or readily available for use in the business of each pawnshop.

Q. Does the net asset requirement remain the same for licenses being transferred?
A. Yes. Texas Finance Code Sec. 371.72 (b) The net assets requirement of this subsection remains in effect without regard to a change in ownership or relocation of the license.

Q. What do I send the OCCC after the appointment?
A. Upload the receipt you receive at the IDENTOGO office along with all other requested items.

Q. I had the print appointment. When will I have a license?
A. After the application is assigned to a reviewer, determined complete by the reviewer, submitted to final review, and it is determined by final review that you qualify for a license.

REGISTERED CREDITORS FAQ

Q. How do I renew?
A. Login or create an account at https://alecs.occc.texas.gov/. From the menu on the left, click “Manage my Business” then under the heading “Registration” click “Registration Renewal.” From the drop down menu at the top next to “Registration Type” select “Registered Creditor.” Your Registrations will pop up and you can select which ones to renew, click the box accepting terms and conditions then click “Registration Renewal” at the bottom. You will them be prompted to pay. A renewal packet will be sent to you at the address on file each September. To ensure that you receive this packet, please be sure to login to ALECS and update your address.

Q. How do I get my certificate and where does it go?
A. Once you have registered or renewed, you must log into ALECS to print the certificate. Display it in a prominent location, readily visible to consumers. The issue date will not change and certificates do not display expiration/cancellation date.

Q. I have closed my business and am not selling anymore or I am open but not selling on credit anymore. Do I have to renew my registration?
A. If you still have any contracts on your books or are collecting on contracts from when you were doing credit business, you do need to renew. If you are not holding or collecting on any contracts, you do not need to renew, but you do need to notify the OCCC in writing that you are no longer selling on credit.

Q. When would I have to pay the $250 late filing fee?
A. The $250 fee is due if you fail to renew on time (December 1st of each year).

UPLOADING DOCUMENTS

Q. What are the requirements to upload?
A. 1. Refrain from using special characters (!@#$%^&*). 2.The extension name should be lowercase (the 3/4 letters after the period ".pdf") 3. Only upload PDF files 4. All files should be 5mb or less 5. Upload only when you have ALL requested items.

Q. How many files can I upload?
A. You can upload multiple files at one time.

Q. I uploaded all the requested documents, now what?
A. Your response will be reviewed in the order that it is received. We are unable to calculate how long this may take as there are many variables involved but is generally within 1-2 weeks.

Q. How can I find out if I turned everything in?
A. If anything is still needed after your reviewer reviews your uploads a follow up will be made through ALECS. You should receive an auto generated email when a pending action is in your dashboard, however, we strongly recommend that you log in at least once a week until your application review is final.

Q. Why can't I upload documents (any more)/there is nothing in my pending actions?
A1. IF you no longer see the pending action in your dashboard you either missed the deadline or clicked complete. Send your reviewer an email when this happens and they will follow up with you.

A2.IF you have a pending action in your dashboard and are still unable to upload files, confirm that the extension name (the 3 letters after the dot ".pdf") is lowercase AND do not use special characters (!@#$%^&*.') when naming the file.

Q. How can I get a status update on my application?
A. After you log in to ALECS, click on the history button.
In Review - The application is in your reviewers dashboard pending review
Pending - The application is in your dashboard with a pending action
Received - The application is in the cue pending assignment to a reviewer.

We are unable to provide a detailed status update until your uploads are reviewed. If after reviewing your documents we still need more information, we will follow up through ALECS. If your license is approved, you will receive an email notification.

Q. How long does the process take?
A. On average, the entire review process takes between 30-60 days. During renewal periods and high season this time may increase.

Q. Why do I keep getting the same request?
A. 1. We continue to receive documents not requested/incorrect documents
2. Previous requests are not deleted from your pending actions. Confirm that you are reviewing the correct deficiency. The date can be found to the far right.

REGULATED INDUSTRIES GENERAL FAQ

Q. What are the application requirements?
A. New Regulated Lenders Application Checklist

Q. What are the application requirements to transfer a REG license?
A. Regulated Lenders Application Transfer Checklist

Q. What is the status of my application?
A. If you applied online: Please log into ALECS. Click on history on the left hand column. The top item is the most recent transaction. IN REVIEW: Your uploads are pending review with your reviewer PENDING: You have a pending action in your "My Pending Actions" tab RECEIVED: The application was received and is pending assignment to a reviewer (The general review takes 30-60 days)

Q. What is a Principal Party?
A. Generally anyone who owns 10% or more of the applying business. The requirements are in the Texas Administrative Code.

Q. When and how do I get a fingerprint appointment?
A. If prints are needed, your reviewer will send you a request with instructions. The finger print page for information.

Q. What is a Statutory Agent?
A. The person your company chooses to receive legal correspondence at a Texas residential address other than the licensed location (licensed dealership location).

Note: The Statutory Agent may not be the applying entity unless the applicant is a sole proprietor. For more information refer to TAC Rule §83.3002 (1) (A) (iii)

ANNUAL REPORT FAQ

Q:Do you have examples of the annual reports?
A: Here are some examples:

Q: How do I upload my report?
A: Follow the link below to reporting instructions:

TAC Rule §83.3001 Credit Access Business
TAC Rule §84.601 Commercial Motor Vehicle Sales Finance
TAC Rule §84.601 Motor Vehicle Sales Finance
TAC Rule §85.202 Pawnshop
TAC Rule §89.301 Property Tax
TAC Rule §83.301 Regulated Lender