State Requirements

Applicant must not have any serious RIRS actions. Please contact the state if applicable.

Applicant must not hold an active resident license in Ohio.

Entities operating in Ohio under a Federal tax Identification Number (FEIN) must obtain an Ohio BE license for the entity. Ohio does not accept sole proprietor as an agency firm type on the business entity application for entities operating under an individual’s personal Social Security Number (SSN). Sole proprietor entities operating in Ohio under an individual’s personal Social Security Number (SSN) must have the BE name registered with the Ohio Secretary of State as a trade name or fictitious name and added as an alias to the individual agent’s Ohio insurance license.

All applicants, except partnerships, may need to register with the Ohio Secretary of State prior to operating in the State of Ohio.

Designated Responsible Licensed Producers (DRLPs) must have an active resident or non-resident license in Ohio.

If applicant responds "yes" to one of the background questions please submit supporting documents electronically via NIPR's Attachments Warehouse. The documents may also be submitted to the state via mail, email, or fax.

• Must have active license for equivalent lines of authority (LOA) in resident state.
• Business entities applying for Variable lines must provide the Broker-Dealer CRD # or the Broker-Dealer CRD# of an affiliate insurance entity or third-party that provides the brokerage services for the BE's customers according to an "Insurance Networking Arrangement".
• Have at least one Responsible Designated Agent "RDA" licensed with an active Major lines license in Ohio.
• Provide required supporting documents, if necessary.

• Must have active license for equivalent lines of authority (LOA) in resident state.
• Have at least one Responsible Designated Agent "RDA" licensed with an active Limited lines license in Ohio.
• The designated insurance agent of a Travel insurance limited line of authority applicant shall comply with fingerprints requirements of section 3905.051 of the Ohio Revised Code or applicable state and federal fingerprint requirements of the home state of the insurance agent.
• Applicants for Funeral Expense line of authority (LOA) must provide proof of Active Ohio Funeral Director's license.
• Provide required supporting documents, if necessary.

• A copy of the signed contract between the MGA and the insurance company.
• A copy of the Certified Resolution of the Board appointment describing duties to be performed.
• A copy of bond in the amount of at least $50,000.
• Proof of Errors and Omissions Policy.
• Required supporting details or documents, if necessary.

Public Insurance Adjuster (PIA) applicants are required to:

• Provide proof of a bond in the amount of at least $1,000, payable to the State of Ohio or completion of the Ohio specific bond form (INS3007) found on the Department’s website.
• Provide a copy of the form that will be used as the contract in Ohio.
• Pass the Ohio public insurance adjuster examination.
• Provide required supporting details or documents, if necessary.

• Must have active reinsurance intermediary broker license or equivalent in resident state.
• Provide required supporting documents, if necessary.

• Must have active surety bail bond license or equivalent in resident state.
• Provide name of each employee, officer or member of the entity.
• Have at least one Responsible Designated Agent "RDA" licensed with an active Surety Bail Bond license in Ohio.
• Provide required supporting documents, if necessary.

• Must have active surplus lines license in resident state.
• Have at least one Responsible Designated Agent "RDA" licensed with an active resident or non-resident Surplus Lines license in Ohio.
• Required to hold an active Ohio major lines license for property and casualty LOA if entity is, or will, be involved in performing the due diligence requirements.
• If home state does not issue Surplus Lines license to business entities, must provide proof of $25,000 bond payable to State of Ohio. The bond shall be issued by an insurance company authorized to transact surety business in Ohio. Must also complete the Ohio specific bond form (INS3222). The bond form can be found on the Department’s website.
• Provide required supporting documents, if necessary.

• Hold an active third party administrator, or equivalent, license in resident state.
• Provide proof of home state TPA license or proof that home state does not require a TPA license in that state.
• Proof of fidelity bond or other comparable insurance policy coverage for all employees as required by R.C. 3959.11 and OAC 3901-8-05 (D)(5). Documentation must include the name of the carrier, policy number and effective dates.
• Proof of professional liability insurance coverage and/or E&O insurance as required by ERISA. (Documentation must include the name of the carrier, policy number and effective dates.)
• Provide a written statement that applicant does not commingle among its personal assets, or draw against for its own purposes, any monies or contributions of a plan sponsor or plan participant.
• Provide a written statement that the applicant and its officers shall be responsible for the supervision of the actions of any and all personnel and subcontractors who adjust or settle claims on behalf of the applicant.
• Proof of registration and good standing with the Ohio Secretary of State.
• Required supporting details or documents, if necessary.

• Must have active title license in resident state.
• Name of each partner, officer, member, manager or director of entity.
• Name of at least one Responsible Designated Agent "RDA" licensed with an active Title license in Ohio.
• On a separate attachment identify the initial capitalization of the business entity.
• On a separate attachment identify all staff positions within the business entity. For each position, note whether the individual filling the position will be a full or part-time employee of the business entity and whether the individual will be leased, borrowed from, or shared with an affiliated business. Identify the affiliated business from which each individual will be leased, borrowed, or shared.
• On a separate attachment, identify the substantial services that the business entity will perform for which it will receive a fee.
• On a separate attachment, list each substantial service that the business entity will contract out to a parent or affiliate of a parent and identify the parent or affiliate that will be performing that service.
• On a separate attachment, identify the percentage of its business the business entity expects to receive from its affiliates, parents, or affiliates of its parents.
• For each individual listed on the application as a producer, identify all business entities for which that producer is a title agent.
• Attach an organizational chart that shows the following information: all subsidiaries, affiliates, and owners of the business entity ("owner" includes shareholder, member or partner). Indicate in the chart the percentage of voting shares, membership or partnership interest of the business entity that is held by each owner of the business entity. Identify with specificity each ownership interest held by a bank, trust company, bank and trust company, or other lending institution, mortgage service, brokerage, mortgage guaranty company, escrow company, real estate company, or any subsidiaries thereof, or by any person engaged in the business of any of the foregoing. If any of the owners of the business entity is a corporation, limited liability company, or partnership, identify the shareholders, members and partners of those owners.
• Attach operating agreement and articles of organization for UCSL.
• Required supporting details or documents, if necessary.

• Hold active viatical settlement broker license or equivalent in resident state.
• Provide a description of procedures that are in place to safeguard the confidentiality of viators' and insureds' personal and medical information that complies with division (G) of ORC section 3916.07 and 3916.13.
• Provide a comprehensive anti-fraud plan that complies with requirements of division (G) of ORC section 3916.18.
• Identify all owners, partners, officers, members, directors, employees authorized to act under the Viatical Settlement Broker entity license. Documentation must include, at a minimum, full legal name, SSN/NPN and date of birth for each person authorized to act under the viatical settlement broker entity license.
• Provide an organizational chart that identifies all employees, partners, members, officers, & key employees, including position titles, and description of positions. The chart must also identify all owners or shareholders having five percent (5%) or greater beneficial ownership. The chart must additionally show the relationship of each to the applicant, including percentage of beneficial ownership or control.
• Provide the full name and address of the Agent for Service of Process appointed by the applicant, per O.R.C. 3916.03.
• Provide the full name, address and telephone number of the person, on behalf of the applicant, who shall be responsible for handling or responding to regulatory complaints, application forms, or questions regarding its activities in Ohio.
• Provide certificate of good standing from domicile state.
• Be registered and in good standing with the Ohio Secretary of State.
• Provide criminal background check results for all partners, officers, members, owners and key employees. Please note a state criminal background records check is required for all partners, officers, members, owners, or key employees who live or work in Ohio and a federal criminal background records check for all partners, officers, members, owners, or key employees who will be operating under the applicant's license. The background reports must be sent to the Department of Insurance directly from BCI/FBI.
• Provide required supporting details or documents, if necessary.