The OCCC issues several licenses and registrations necessary for various consumer credit industries. The Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner maintains regulatory oversight of six categories of licensed industries and four categories of registered industries.
Licensed industries include those that are required to obtain operational licenses from the agency and that are subject to routine and periodic examination of records, processes, and compliance with statute and regulatory controls.
Registered industries include those that are required to register with the agency but are not subject to routine and periodic examinations. While the agency does not maintain examination and enforcement authority over these industries, it does maintain the right to investigate consumer concerns and complaints related to these registered entities.
APPLY FOR LICENSING
All applications for a new license or registration must be submitted through the online system ALECS. (Application, Licensing, Examination, Compliance System). For application requirements click here and then on the industry you need to be licensed/registered under. Please turn your browsers auto fill feature off prior to beginning your application.
The agency is pleased to provide this online system, which creates efficiency in the application process and allows the licensee to manage licenses online.
Best Practices Guide: Applying for an Occupational License After Conviction or Deferred Adjudication
As required by Texas Occupations Code, Section 53.026, the State Auditor’s Office, in collaboration with occupational licensing authorities, developed this guide to provide an overview of the occupational licensing application process for a person with a criminal conviction or deferred adjudication for a felony or misdemeanor offense. The guide presents the process outlined in Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 53, and is not intended to serve as legal advice.
Licensed Industries
Commercial Motor Vehicle Sales Finance
A commercial motor vehicle installment sale is similar to a motor vehicle installment sale, but is not for personal, family or household use. It is a two-party transaction between a retail seller and a retail buyer. When a contract is assigned and purchased by an acceptance company, that company becomes the holder of the obligation and lien holder of the commercial motor vehicle.
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.”
A motor vehicle installment sale is a two-party transaction between a retail seller and a retail buyer for a vehicle used typically for personal, family or household use. After the sale, the dealer may choose to hold the contract and collect payments (“Buy Here, Pay Here” model) or to assign the retail installment contract to an acceptance company. When a contract is assigned and purchased by an acceptance company, that company becomes the holder of the obligation and lien holder of the vehicle.
A pawnshop is a business where a consumer may pledge personal property as collateral for a loan. The personal property is then held by the pawnshop, and the consumer may get the property back by paying off the loan within a set period of time.
A property tax lender is a business that facilitates loans to property owners to pay off property taxes when the owner cannot pay. Property tax lenders will make loans against due or delinquent property taxes.
Regulated lenders offer consumer loans with rates of interest greater than 10%. Non-depository lenders who engage in making, transacting, or collecting loans with a rate of interest greater than 10% must be licensed by the OCCC.
Residential Mortgage Loan Originators
These are individuals who are licensed to originate mortgages and help consumers transact a mortgage. Includes information about the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act (SAFE Act).
Registered Industries
Crafted Precious Metals Dealers
A crafted precious metal dealer is a person registered to engage in the business of purchasing and selling precious metal items, except for: coins, bars, commemorative medallions, or items that the dealer purchases for 105% or more of scrap value.
Debt Management and Settlement Providers
Debt Management and Settlement Providers (debt negotiators) are consumer credit counseling services that help consumers get out of debt by dealing with creditors.
Manufactured Housing Creditors
Manufactured Housing Creditors extend or arrange loans for consumers on manufactured homes.
Refund Anticipation Loan Facilitators
A Refund Anticipation Loan Facilitator is a business that facilitates loans against anticipated tax refunds.
Registered creditors are companies who sell consumer goods and services on credit, allowing their customers to make payments over time.