58-33-125. Fees.

(a) The following table indicates the annual fees that are required for the respective licenses issued, renewed, or cancelled under this Article and Article 21 of this Chapter:

(b) Whenever a temporary license is issued under this Article, the fee shall be at the same rate as provided in subsection (a) of this section; and any amounts so paid for a temporary license may be credited against the fee required for an appointment by the sponsoring company.

(c) Any person who is not licensed and who is required by law or administrative rule to secure a license shall, upon application for licensing, pay to the Commissioner a fee of fifty dollars ($50.00). If additional licensing for other kinds of insurance is requested, a fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) shall be paid to the Commissioner upon application for licensing for each additional kind of insurance.

In addition to the fees prescribed by this subsection, any person applying for a supplemental license to sell Medicare supplement and long-term care insurance policies shall pay an additional fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) upon application for licensing for those kinds of insurance.

(d) The requirement for an examination, prelicensing education, continuing education, or a registration fee does not apply to agents for domestic farmers' mutual assessment fire insurance companies or associations who solicit and sell only those kinds of insurance specified in G.S. 58-7-75(5)d for those companies or associations.

(e) A resident licensee may obtain a duplicate photo-bearing license at times and places within this State that the Commissioner considers necessary and reasonable to serve the convenience of both the Commissioner and the licensee. The Commissioner may contract directly with persons for processing of duplicate photo-bearing licenses, and the contract shall not be subject to Article 3 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes. The Commissioner may charge a reasonable fee for duplicating a photo-bearing license in an amount that offsets the costs to the Department of duplicating the license, including costs associated with any contract entered into pursuant to this subsection. 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 subsection 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 subsection 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 agreement or contract for any purpose.

(f) Repealed by Session Laws 2007-507, s. 7, effective January 1, 2008, and applicable to fees or charges due, and actions occurring, on or after that date.

(g) All fees prescribed by this section are nonrefundable. The fees in subsection (a) of this section are in lieu of any other license fees. The fee for an individual agent appointment under subsection (a) of this section applies to each license.

(h) Fees paid by an insurer on behalf of a person who is licensed or appointed to represent the insurer are payable to the Commissioner when billed. Billing of insurers for renewal fees must be on an annual basis. The frequency for billing insurers for other licensing and appointment fees is determined by the Commissioner and may be daily, monthly, or quarterly. An electronic payment made through the NAIC or an affiliate of NAIC is considered a payment to the Commissioner.