58-33-30. License requirements.

The Commissioner shall not issue or continue any license of an agent, broker, limited representative, adjuster, or motor vehicle damage appraiser except as follows:

(a) Application. - The applicable license application requirements of G.S. 58-33-31 shall be satisfied.

(b), (c) Repealed by Session Laws 2001-203, s. 7, effective July 1, 2002.

(d) Education and Training. -

(1) Each applicant must have had special education, training, or experience of sufficient duration and extent reasonably to satisfy the Commissioner that the applicant possesses the competence necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of an agent, broker, limited representative, adjuster, or motor vehicle damage appraiser.

(2) All individual applicants for licensing as agents under G.S. 58-33-26(c1)(1), (2), (4), (6), or (7) shall furnish evidence satisfactory to the Commissioner of successful completion of at least 20 hours of instruction for each license, which shall in all cases include the general principles of insurance and any other topics relevant to the license that the Commissioner establishes by administrative rules. Any applicant who submits satisfactory evidence of having successfully completed an agent training course that has been approved by the Commissioner and that is offered by or under the auspices of a property or liability or life or health insurance company admitted to do business in this State or a professional insurance association shall be deemed to have satisfied the educational requirements of this subdivision.

(3) Each resident applicant for a Medicare supplement and long-term care insurance license shall furnish evidence satisfactory to the Commissioner of successful completion of 10 hours of instruction, which shall in all cases include the principles of Medicare supplement and long-term care insurance and federal and North Carolina law relating to such insurance. A resident applicant who submits satisfactory evidence of having successfully completed an agent training course that has been approved by the Commissioner and that is offered by or under the auspices of a licensed life or health insurer or a professional insurance association satisfies the educational requirements of this subdivision.

(e) Examination. -

(1) After completion and filing of the application with the Commissioner, the Commissioner shall require each applicant for license as an agent or an adjuster to take an examination as to the applicant's competence to be licensed. The applicant must take and pass the examination according to requirements prescribed by the Commissioner. This subsection shall not apply to adjusters who adjust only federal crop insurance claims and are certified in accordance with subdivision (2a) of this subsection.

(2) The Commissioner may require any licensed agent, adjuster, or motor vehicle damage appraiser to take and successfully pass an examination in writing, testing his competence and qualifications as a condition to the continuance or renewal of his license, if the licensee has been found guilty of any violation of any provision of this Chapter. If an individual fails to pass such an examination, the Commissioner shall revoke all licenses issued in his name and no license shall be issued until such individual has passed an examination as provided in this Article.

(2a) Adjusters who adjust federal crop insurance claims shall be certified as having passed a proficiency examination approved by the federal Risk Management Agency (RMA) as a condition of obtaining an adjuster's license under this Chapter or another proficiency examination approved by the Commissioner. An adjuster who intends to adjust crop insurance claims shall furnish the Commissioner proof that the adjuster is certified as having passed the required examination pursuant to this section.

(3) Each examination shall be as the Commissioner prescribes and shall be of sufficient scope to test the applicant's knowledge of:

a. The terms and provisions of the policies or contracts of insurance the applicant proposes to effect; or

b. The types of claims or losses the applicant proposes to adjust; and

c. The duties and responsibilities of the license; and

d. The current laws of this State applicable to the license.

(4) The answers of the applicant to the examination shall be provided by the applicant under the Commissioner's supervision. The Commissioner shall give examinations at such times and places within this State as the Commissioner considers necessary reasonably to serve the convenience of both the Commissioner and applicants: Provided that the Commissioner may contract directly with persons for the processing of examination application forms and for the administration and grading of the examinations required by this section; the Commissioner may charge a reasonable fee in addition to the registration fee charged under G.S. 58-33-125, to offset the cost of the examination contract authorized by this subsection; and such contracts shall not be subject to Article 3 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes. However, the Commissioner shall: (i) submit all proposed agreements or contracts for supplies, materials, printing, equipment, and contractual services that exceed one million dollars ($1,000,000) authorized by this subdivision to the Attorney General or the Attorney General's designee for review as provided in G.S. 114-8.3; and (ii) include in all contracts to be awarded by the Commissioner under this subdivision a standard clause which provides that the State Auditor and internal auditors of the Commissioner may audit the records of the contractor during and after the term of the contract to verify accounts and data affecting fees and performance. The Commissioner shall not award a cost plus percentage of cost contract for any purpose.

(5) The Commissioner shall collect in advance the examination and registration fees provided in G.S. 58-33-125 and in subsection (4) of this section. The Commissioner shall make or cause to be made available to all applicants, for a reasonable fee to offset the costs of production, materials that he considers necessary for the applicants' proper preparation for examinations. The Commissioner may contract directly with publishers and other suppliers for the production of the preparatory materials, and contracts so let by the Commissioner shall not be subject to Article 3 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes. However, the Commissioner shall: (i) submit all proposed contracts for supplies, materials, printing, equipment, and contractual services that exceed one million dollars ($1,000,000) authorized by this subdivision to the Attorney General or the Attorney General's designee for review as provided in G.S. 114-8.3; and (ii) include in all contracts to be awarded by the Commissioner under this subdivision a standard clause which provides that the State Auditor and internal auditors of the Commissioner may audit the records of the contractor during and after the term of the contract to verify accounts and data affecting fees and performance. The Commissioner shall not award a cost plus percentage of cost contract for any purpose.

(6) In addition to the examinations for the kinds of insurance specified in G.S. 58-33-25(c)(1) and (2), before any resident may sell Medicare supplement or long-term care insurance policies defined respectively in Articles 54 and 55 of this Chapter, the resident must take and pass a supplemental written examination according to requirements prescribed by the Commissioner.

(7) An individual who fails to appear for the examination as scheduled or fails to pass the examination shall reapply for an examination and remit all required fees and forms before being rescheduled for another examination.

(f) Brokers. -

(1) Bond. - Prior to issuance of a license as a broker, the applicant shall file with the Commissioner and thereafter, for as long as the license remains in effect, shall keep in force a bond in favor of the State of North Carolina for the use of aggrieved parties in the sum of not less than fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000), executed by an authorized corporate surety approved by the Commissioner. The aggregate liability of the surety for any and all claims on any such bond shall in no event exceed the sum thereof. The bond shall be conditioned on the accounting by the broker (i) to any person requesting the broker to obtain insurance for moneys or premiums collected in connection therewith, (ii) to any licensed insurer or agent who provides coverage for such person with respect to any such moneys or premiums, and (iii) to any premium finance company or to any association of insurers under any plan or plans for the placement of insurance under the laws of North Carolina which afforded coverage for such person with respect to any such moneys or premiums. No such bond shall be terminated unless at least 30 days' prior written notice thereof is given by the surety to the licensee and the Commissioner. Upon termination of the license for which the bond was in effect, the Commissioner shall notify the surety within 10 business days. A person required by this subdivision to maintain a bond may, in lieu of that bond, deposit with the Commissioner the equivalent amount in cash, in certificates of deposit issued by banks organized under the laws of the State of North Carolina, or any national bank having its principal office in North Carolina, or securities, which shall be held in accordance with Article 5 of this Chapter. Securities may only be obligations of the United States or of federal agencies listed in G.S. 147-69.1(c)(2) guaranteed by the United States, obligations of the State of North Carolina, or obligations of a city or county of this State. Any proposed deposit of an obligation of a city or county of this State is subject to the prior approval of the Commissioner.

(2) Other Requirements. - An applicant must hold a valid agent's license at the time of application for the broker's license and throughout the duration of the broker's license. A broker's license shall be issued to cover only those kinds of insurance authorized by his agent's license. Suspension or revocation of the agent's license shall cause immediate revocation of the broker's license.

(g) Denial of License. - If the Commissioner finds that the applicant has not fully met the requirements for licensing, the Commissioner shall refuse to issue the license and shall notify in writing the applicant and the appointing insurer, if any, of the denial, stating the grounds for the denial. The application may also be denied for any reason for which a license may be suspended or revoked or not renewed under G.S. 58-33-46. In order for an applicant to be entitled to a review of the Commissioner's action to determine the reasonableness of the action, the applicant must make a written demand upon the Commissioner for a review no later than 30 days after service of the notification upon the applicant. The review shall be completed without undue delay, and the applicant shall be notified promptly in writing of the outcome of the review. In order for an applicant who disagrees with the outcome of the review to be entitled to a hearing under Article 3A of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes, the applicant must make a written demand upon the Commissioner for a hearing no later than 30 days after service upon the applicant of the notification of the outcome.

(h) Resident-Nonresident Licenses. - The Commissioner shall issue a resident or nonresident license to an agent, broker, limited representative, adjuster, or motor vehicle damage appraiser as follows:

(1) Resident.

An individual may qualify for a license as a resident if he resides in this State. Any license issued pursuant to an application claiming residency in this State shall be void if the licensee, while holding a resident license in this State, also holds or makes application for a resident license in, or thereafter claims to be a resident of, any other state, or ceases to be a resident of this State; provided, however, if the applicant is a resident of a county in another state, the border of which county is contiguous with the state line of this State, the applicant may qualify as a resident for licensing purposes in this State.

(2) Nonresident.

a. An individual may qualify for a license under this Article as a nonresident if he holds a like license in another state or territory of the United States. An individual may qualify for a license as a nonresident motor vehicle damage appraiser or a nonresident adjuster if the applicant's state of residency does not offer such licenses and such applicant meets all other requirements for licensure of a resident. A license issued to a nonresident of this State shall grant the same rights and privileges afforded a resident licensee, except as provided in subsection (i) of this section.

a1. If a nonresident licensee's license in his or her home state is no longer in good standing for any reason, the nonresident licensee's license issued by the Commissioner shall automatically lapse 30 days after the loss of the nonresident's home state license. Within 30 days following the lapse, the nonresident's lapsed license may be reinstated if (i) the nonresident licensee is otherwise entitled to licensure and (ii) he or she provides proof satisfactory to the Commissioner that his or her home state license has been reinstated or reissued. A lapsed nonresident license may also be reinstated upon proof satisfactory to the Commissioner that the nonresident has relocated to another jurisdiction, obtained a new home state license, and has filed a change of address notice with the Commissioner within 60 days after the issuance of the new home state license. If the lapsed nonresident license is not reinstated as provided herein, the nonresident must submit a new application for licensure to the Commissioner.

b. Except as provided in G.S. 58-33-32, a nonresident of this State may be licensed without taking an otherwise required written examination if the insurance regulator of the state of the applicant's residence certifies that the applicant has passed a similar written examination or has been a continuous holder, prior to the time such written examination was required, of a license like the license being applied for in this State.

c. Notwithstanding other provisions of this Article, no new bond shall be required for a nonresident broker if the Commissioner is satisfied that an existing bond covers his insurance business in this State.

d. Process Against Nonresident Licensees.

1. Each licensed nonresident agent, broker, adjuster, limited representative, or motor vehicle damage appraiser shall by the act of acquiring such license be deemed to appoint the Commissioner as his attorney to receive service of legal process issued against the agent, broker, adjuster, limited representative, or motor vehicle damage appraiser in this State upon causes of action arising within this State.

2. The appointment shall be irrevocable for as long as there could be any cause of action against the nonresident arising out of his insurance transactions in this State.

3. Duplicate copies of such legal process against such nonresident licensee shall be served upon the Commissioner either by a person competent to serve a summons, or through certified or registered mail. At the time of such service the plaintiff shall pay to the Commissioner a fee in the amount set in G.S. 58-16-30, taxable as costs in the action to defray the expense of such service.

4. Upon receiving such service, the Commissioner or his duly appointed deputy shall within three business days send one of the copies of the process, by registered or certified mail, to the defendant nonresident licensee at his last address of record as filed with the Commissioner.

5. The Commissioner shall keep a record of the day and hour of service upon him of all such legal process. No proceedings shall be had against the defendant nonresident licensee, and such defendant shall not be required to appear, plead or answer until the expiration of 40 days after the date of service upon the Commissioner.

e. If the Commissioner revokes or suspends any nonresident's license through a formal proceeding under this Article, he shall promptly notify the appropriate Commissioner of the licensee's residence of such action and of the particulars thereof.

(i) Retaliatory Provision. - Whenever, by the laws or regulations of any other state or jurisdiction, any limitation of rights and privileges, conditions precedent, or any other requirements are imposed upon residents of this State who are nonresident applicants or licensees of such other state or jurisdiction in addition to, or in excess of, those imposed on nonresidents under this Article, the same such requirements shall be imposed upon such residents of such other state or jurisdiction. This subsection does not apply to fees charged to insurance producers.

(j) Reciprocity Provision. - To the extent that other states that provide for the licensing and regulation of and payment of commissions to agents, limited representatives, or brokers, waive restrictions on the basis of reciprocity with respect to North Carolina licensees applying for or holding nonresident licenses in those states, the same restrictions on licensees from those states applying for or holding North Carolina nonresident licenses shall be waived.