​Florida Pawnbroking Act

Florida Administrative Code
Department 5. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Division 5J. Division of Consumer Services
Chapter 5J-13. FLORIDA PAWNBROKING ACT
•    
•    § 5J-13.001. Definitions
•    § 5J-13.002. Licensing Requirements
•    § 5J-13.003. Security Requirements

§ 5J-13.001. Definitions

The definitions found in Chapter 539, Florida Statutes, and the following shall apply:
(1) Beneficial owner means a person who does not have title to property but has rights in the property which are the normal incident of owning the property.
(2) Operator means a person who has charge of a corporation or company and has control of its business, or of its branch establishments, divisions, or departments, and who is vested with a certain amount of discretion and independent judgment.

§ 5J-13.002. Licensing Requirements

(1) Any person who intends to operate as a pawnbroker shall annually submit a licensing fee of $300 to the Department, for each pawnshop location, at the time of applying for a license.
(2) A person applying for a license as a pawnbroker must submit with the license application a copy of the Pawnbroker Transaction Form. Applicants for license shall use Form DACS-10-111, Application Form, effective 12-10-96, hereby incorporated by reference. Copies of this form may be obtained from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Consumer Services, Attention: Pawnshops, Mayo Building , Tallahassee , Florida 32399-0800 .

§ 5J-13.003. Security Requirements

(1) Any person claiming to have a net worth of $50,000 pursuant to Section 539.001(4)(a)2., F.S., shall file with the Department, at the time of applying for a license, a copy of their current financial statement prepared by a Florida licensed accountant. In lieu of the financial statement, a person may file a copy of their most recently filed federal income tax return.
(2) If filing a surety bond pursuant to Section 539.001(4)(a)2., F.S., the applicant shall use Form DACS-10113, Surety Bond, effective 12-10-96, hereby incorporated by reference. Copies of this form may be obtained from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Consumer Services, Attention: Pawnshops, Mayo Building, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0800.