(a) The commissioner may, in his or her discretion, issue a temporary producer license without requiring an examination or prelicensing course if the commissioner deems the temporary license is necessary for the servicing of an insurance business in any of the following cases:

(1) To the surviving spouse or court-appointed personal representative of a licensed producer who dies or becomes mentally or physically disabled to allow adequate time for the sale of the insurance business owned by the producer or for the recovery or return of the producer to the business or to provide for the training and licensing of new personnel to operate the producer's business.

(2) To a member or employee of a business entity which is licensed as a producer, upon the death or disability of the individual designated in the business entity application or the license.

(3) To the designee of a licensed producer entering active service in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

(4) In any other circumstance where the commissioner deems that the public interest will best be served by the issuance of this license.

(b) The temporary license shall be valid for a period of not over six months and, except as to one renewal in the case of disabling or confining illness or injury of the producer, shall not be renewed either to the then holder of the temporary license or to any other person for, or on behalf of, the producer.

(c) The holder of a temporary license may be granted a regular producer's license upon taking and passing an examination as required under this chapter, if then otherwise qualified for the regular license.

(d) If the temporary licensee becomes entitled to receive a regular license prior to expiration of the temporary license, he or she shall surrender the temporary license to the commissioner at the time the regular license is issued.

(e) The applicant for a temporary license shall pay to the commissioner, prior to the issuance thereof, the applicable license fee as specified in Section 27-4-2.

(f) The commissioner may by order limit the authority of any temporary licensee in any way deemed necessary to protect insureds and the public. The commissioner may require the temporary licensee to have a suitable sponsor who is a licensed producer or insurer and who assumes responsibility for all acts of the temporary licensee and may impose other similar requirements designed to protect insureds and the public. The commissioner may by order revoke a temporary license if the interests of insureds or the public are endangered. The temporary license may not continue after the owner or the personal representative disposes of the business.