(a)

(1) A broker-dealer, agent, investment adviser, representative, or branch office may obtain an initial or renewal registration by filing with the Securities Commissioner or the commissioner's designee an application and fee, together with a consent to service of process under § 23-42-107(a).

(2) The commissioner may by rule or order approve a limited registration with such limitations, qualifications, or conditions as the commissioner deems appropriate.

(b) The commissioner may by rule set forth the form and content of the application and establish a procedure for renewal registration or initial registration.

(c) The application shall contain whatever information the commissioner by rule requires concerning such matters as:

(1) The applicant's form and place of organization;

(2) The applicant's proposed method of doing business;

(3) The qualifications, disciplinary history, and business history of the applicant, including, in the case of a broker-dealer or investment adviser, the qualifications and history of any partner, officer, director, person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions, or any persons directly or indirectly controlling the broker-dealer or investment adviser;

(4) Any investigation, proceeding, order, injunction, arrest, or conviction of any felony or misdemeanor; and

(5) The applicant's financial condition and history.

(d) The commissioner may provide for a written examination to be taken by each class of applicants to be used as one (1) of the bases in determining an applicant's qualifications to be registered.

(e) The commissioner is authorized to conduct an investigation in order that he or she may determine the fitness of any applicant. Each applicant shall pay to the commissioner an investigation fee, and the amount of each fee shall be determined on the same basis as is the examination fee required of broker-dealers under § 23-42-306(d).

(f) If no denial order is in effect or no proceeding is pending under § 23-42-308, registration becomes effective on the thirtieth day after the application is completed. The commissioner may determine an earlier effective date upon review of the application.

(g) Applications which have not been completed within a period of one hundred eighty (180) days after filing with the commissioner may be deemed abandoned and considered withdrawn by the applicant, provided the applicant has been notified of the deficiencies to the application and afforded a reasonable opportunity to correct such deficiencies.

(h) A registered broker-dealer, investment adviser, or person required to make a notice filing pursuant to § 23-42-301(c)(1) may file an application for registration or notice filing of a successor, whether or not the successor is then in existence. The application or notice filing shall comply with the requirements for an initial application or notice filing.