(a) The commissioner may conduct periodic on-site examinations of a licensee. The commissioner may also examine a licensee's authorized or apparent agents. At the commissioner's discretion, written notice of the examination may be provided to the licensee or agents. In conducting the examination, the commissioner or the commissioner's staff has full and free access to all the books, papers and records of the licensee and its agents and may summon and qualify as witnesses, under oath, and examine the directors, officers, members, agents and employees of any licensee or agent, and any other person concerning the condition and affairs of the licensee. The licensee shall pay all reasonably incurred costs of the examination. The on-site examination may be conducted in conjunction with examinations to be performed by representatives of agencies of another state or states. The commissioner, in lieu of an on-site examination, may accept the examination report of an agency of another state, or a report prepared by an independent accounting firm, and reports so accepted are considered for all purposes as an official report of the commissioner.
(b) Upon reasonable cause, the commissioner may conduct an on-site examination of any unlicensed person to determine whether violations of this part have occurred or are occurring. In conducting the examination, the commissioner has the applicable powers provided pursuant to § 45-1-207.