(a) Persons performing any of the following surplus lines insurance activities are required to have a surplus lines agent license:
  (1) supervising unlicensed staff engaged in activities described in subsection (b) of this section, although unlicensed intermediary supervisors may supervise unlicensed staff engaging in these activities if the ultimate supervisor is licensed;
  (2) negotiating, soliciting, effecting, procuring, or binding surplus lines insurance contracts for clients or offering advice, counsel, opinions, or explanations of surplus lines insurance products to agents or clients beyond the scope of underwriting policies or contracts, except for a general lines property and casualty agent making a referral of surplus lines business to a surplus lines agent that then completes the surplus lines transaction; or
  (3) receiving any direct commission or variance in compensation based on the volume of surplus lines premiums taken and received from, or as a result of, another person selling, soliciting, binding, effecting, or procuring surplus lines insurance policies, contracts, or coverages, except for a general lines property and casualty agent making a referral of surplus lines business to a surplus lines agent that then completes the surplus lines transaction.
(b) The following activities, if supervised by a surplus lines agent, do not require a surplus lines agent license if the employee does not receive any direct commission from selling, soliciting, binding, effecting, or procuring insurance policies, contracts, or coverages, and the employee's compensation is not varied by the volume of premiums taken and received:
  (1) full-time clerical and administrative services, including, but not limited to, the incidental taking of information from clients; receipt of premiums in the office of a licensed agent; or transmitting to clients, as directed by a licensed surplus lines agent, prepared marketing materials or other prepared information and materials including, without limitation, invoices and evidences of coverage;
  (2) contacting clients to obtain or confirm information necessary to process an application for surplus lines insurance so long as the contact does not involve any activities for which a license would be required under subsection (a)(2) of this section;
  (3) performing the task of underwriting any insurance policy, contract, or coverage, including and without limitation, pricing of the policy or contract; or
  (4) contacting clients, insureds, agents, other persons, and insurers to gather and transmit information regarding claims and losses under the policy to the extent the contact does not require a licensed adjuster as set forth under Insurance Code Chapter 4101, concerning Insurance Adjusters.
(c) This section must not be construed to prohibit distribution of agency profits to unlicensed persons, including shareholders, partners, and employees.
(d) Before TDI issues a surplus lines agent license, the applicant must submit the following:
  (1) an appropriate, fully completed written application; and
  (2) the fee specified by §19.801 and §19.802 of this title (relating to General Provisions and Amount of Fees, respectively).
(e) Texas-resident applicants, and nonresident applicants who do not hold a surplus lines license in their state of residence or whose state of residence does not license Texas residents on a reciprocal basis as determined by TDI, must meet all licensing requirements set forth in Insurance Code Chapter 981, concerning Surplus Lines Insurance. Nonresident applicants under this section must also comply with Insurance Code §4056.051, concerning Application for Nonresident Agent License; Criminal History.
(f) Nonresident applicants who hold a surplus lines agent license in good standing in the agent's state of residence and meet the requirements of Insurance Code §4056.052, concerning Issuance of License to Nonresident Agent Licensed in Other State, must meet all the licensing requirements of Insurance Code Chapter 981 to the extent that the requirements are not waived by the commissioner under Insurance Code §4056.055, concerning Waiver of Requirements for Nonresident Agent Licensed in Other State or Jurisdiction.
(g) Notwithstanding any other subsection of this section, nonresident applicants are not required to obtain a general property and casualty agent license if they meet the requirements of Insurance Code §981.203(a-1), concerning Qualifications for Surplus Lines License.
(h) Each surplus lines agent license issued to an agent will be valid for a term as established under Insurance Code §4003.001, concerning License Expiration, and Chapter 19, Subchapter I of this title (relating to General Provisions Regarding Fees, Applications, and Renewals). The license may be renewed by submitting a renewal application and a nonrefundable license fee as specified by §19.801 and §19.802 of this title.

Source Note: The provisions of this §15.101 adopted to be effective December 30, 2018, 43 TexReg 8455; amended to be effective February 6, 2020, 45 TexReg 912; amended to be effective February 29, 2024, 49 TexReg 1094