(A) The superintendent of insurance shall issue a nonresident insurance agent license to an applicant that is a nonresident person upon payment of all applicable fees required under this chapter if the superintendent finds all of the following:

(1) The applicant is currently licensed as a resident and is in good standing in the applicant's home state.

(2) The applicant is licensed in the applicant's home state for the lines of authority requested in this state.

(3) The applicant has submitted or has had transmitted to the superintendent the application for licensure that the applicant submitted to the applicant's home state or a completed applicable uniform application .

(4) The applicant has not committed any act that is a ground for the denial, suspension, or revocation of a license under section 3905.14 of the Revised Code.

(5) The applicant is of good reputation and character, is honest and trustworthy, and is otherwise suitable to be licensed.

(6) The applicant's home state issues nonresident insurance agent licenses to residents of this state on the same basis as set forth in division (A) of this section.

(7) If the applicant is a business entity, the applicant has designated an insurance agent licensed as an agent in this state to be responsible for the applicant's compliance with the insurance laws of this state.

(8) The applicant has submitted any other documents requested by the superintendent.

(B) To determine an applicant's licensure and standing status in another state, the superintendent may utilize the producer database maintained by the NAIC or its affiliates or subsidiaries. If that information is not available on the producer database, the superintendent may require a certification letter from the applicant's home state.

(C)

(1) An individual seeking to renew a nonresident insurance agent license shall apply biennially for a renewal of the license on or before the last day of the licensee's birth month. A business entity seeking to renew a nonresident insurance agent license shall apply biennially for a renewal of the license on or before the date determined by the superintendent.

Applications shall be submitted to the superintendent on forms prescribed by the superintendent. Each application shall be accompanied by a biennial renewal fee. The superintendent also may require an applicant to submit any document reasonably necessary to verify the information contained in the renewal application.

(2) To be eligible for renewal, an applicant shall maintain a resident license in the applicant's home state for the lines of authority held in this state.

(3) If an applicant submits a completed renewal application, qualifies for renewal pursuant to divisions (C)(1) and (2) of this section, and has not committed any act that is a ground for the refusal to issue, suspension of, or revocation of a license under section 3905.14 of the Revised Code, the superintendent shall renew the applicant's nonresident insurance agent license.

(D) If an individual or business entity does not apply for the renewal of the individual or business entity's license on or before the license renewal date specified in division (C)(1) of this section, the individual or business entity may submit a late renewal application along with all applicable fees required under this chapter prior to the first day of the second month following the license renewal date.

(E) A license issued under this section that is not renewed on or before its renewal date pursuant to division (C) of this section or its late renewal date pursuant to division (D) of this section automatically is suspended for nonrenewal on the first day of the second month following the renewal date. If a license is suspended for nonrenewal pursuant to this division, the individual or business entity is eligible to apply for a reinstatement of the license within the twelve-month period following the date by which the license should have been renewed by complying with the reinstatement procedure established by the superintendent and paying all applicable fees required under this chapter.

(F) A license that is suspended for nonrenewal that is not reinstated pursuant to division (E) of this section automatically is canceled unless the superintendent is investigating any allegations of wrongdoing by the agent or has initiated proceedings under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code. In that case, the license automatically is canceled after the completion of the investigation or proceedings unless the superintendent revokes the license.

(G) An individual licensed as a nonresident insurance agent who is unable to comply with the license renewal procedures established under this section and who is unable to engage in the business of insurance due to military service, a long-term medical disability, or some other extenuating circumstance may request an extension of the renewal date of the individual's license. To be eligible for such an extension, the individual shall submit a written request with supporting documentation to the superintendent. At the superintendent's discretion, the superintendent may not consider a written request made after the renewal date of the license.

(H) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a nonresident person licensed as a surplus lines producer in the applicant's home state shall receive a nonresident surplus lines broker license pursuant to division (A) of this section. Nothing in this section otherwise affects or supersedes any provision of sections 3905.30 to 3905.37 of the Revised Code.

Amended by 128th General AssemblyFile No.18, HB 300, §1, eff. 5/26/2010.

Effective Date: 09-01-2002 .

Related Legislative Provision: See 128th General AssemblyFile No.18, HB 300, §6 .

See 128th General AssemblyFile No.18, HB 300, §3 .