58-33A-40. License.

(a) Unless denied licensure under this Article, persons who have met the requirements of this Article shall be issued a public adjuster license.

(b) A public adjuster license shall remain in effect unless revoked, terminated, or suspended as long as the request for renewal and fee set forth in G.S. 58-33-125 is paid and any other requirements for license renewal are met by the due date.

(c) The licensee shall inform the Commissioner by any means acceptable to the Commissioner of a change of address, change of legal name, or change of information submitted on the application within 30 days after the change.

(d) A licensed public adjuster shall be subject to Article 63 of this Chapter.

(e) A public adjuster who allows his or her license to lapse may, within 12 months from the due date of the renewal, be issued a new public adjuster license upon the Commissioner's receipt of the request for renewal. However, an administrative fee in the amount of double the unpaid renewal fee shall be required for the issuance of the new public adjuster license. The new public adjuster license shall be effective the date the Commissioner receives the request for renewal and the late payment penalty.

(f) Any public adjuster licensee that fails to apply for renewal of a license before expiration of the current license shall pay a lapsed license fee of twice the license fee and be subject to other penalties as provided by law before the license will be renewed. If the Department receives the request for reinstatement and the required lapsed license fee within 60 days after the date the license lapsed, the Department shall reinstate the license retroactively to the date the license lapsed. If the Department receives the request for reinstatement and the required lapsed license fee after 60 days but within one year of the date the license lapsed, the Department shall reinstate the license prospectively with the date the license is reinstated. If the person applies for reinstatement more than one year from the date of lapse, the person shall reapply for the license under this Article.

(g) A licensed public adjuster who is unable to comply with license renewal procedures because of military service, a long-term medical disability, or some other extenuating circumstance may request a waiver of those procedures. The public adjuster may also request a waiver of any examination requirement, fine, or other sanction imposed for failure to comply with renewal procedures.

(h) The license shall contain the licensee's name, city and state of business address, personal identification number, the date of issuance, the expiration date, and any other information the Commissioner deems necessary.

(i) In order to assist in the performance of the Commissioner's duties, the Commissioner may contract with nongovernmental entities, including the NAIC or any affiliates or subsidiaries that the NAIC oversees, to perform any ministerial functions related to licensing, including the collection of fees and data, that the Commissioner may deem appropriate.