(a) A person may not engage in business as a pawnbroker unless the person has a valid license authorizing engagement in the business. A separate license is required for each place of business. The supervisor may issue more than one license to a person if that person complies with this chapter for each license. A new license or application to transfer an existing license is required upon any change, directly or beneficially, in the ownership of any licensed pawnshop and an application must be made to the supervisor in accordance with this chapter.

(b) When a licensee wishes to move a pawnshop to another location, the licensee shall give 30 days written notice to the supervisor, who shall then amend the license accordingly.

(c) Each license shall remain in full force and effect until relinquished, suspended, revoked, or expired. Every licensee, on or before each December 1st, shall pay the supervisor $100.00 for each license as the annual fee for the succeeding calendar year. If the annual fee remains unpaid 30 days after written notice of delinquency has been given to the licensee by the supervisor, the license shall thereupon expire, but not before December 31st of any year for which the annual fee has been paid. All licensing and investigation fees shall be paid into the special fund established under Section 5-2A-20.

(d) The supervisor may issue a temporary license authorizing the operation of a pawnshop upon receipt of an application to transfer a license from one person to another, or upon the receipt of an application for a license involving principals and owners that are substantially identical to those of an existing licensed pawnshop. The temporary license shall be effective until the permanent license is issued or denied.

(e) A new license or an application to transfer an existing license shall not be required upon any change, directly or beneficially, in the ownership of a licensed pawnshop incorporated under the laws of this state or any other state if the licensee continues to operate as a corporation doing a pawnbroking business under the license. The supervisor may require the licensee to provide information deemed reasonable and appropriate concerning the officers and directors of the corporation and persons owning in excess of 25 percent of the outstanding shares of the corporation.