Business Entities (also known as agencies and/or firms) are required to be licensed in Idaho if they sell, solicit, or negotiate (act as a producer) insurance products in Idaho.
Each entity must provide a Designated Responsible Licensed Producer (DRLP). The DRLP is responsible for the entity’s compliance with Idaho insurance laws and rules. Entities must also register with the Idaho Secretary of State. Specific license types may have other requirements.
Idaho Code
Idaho Statutes :
§41-1007 (Business Entity Licensing and DRLP Information)
§41-1008 (Change of Ownership)
§41-1010 (Non Resident Service of Process Information)
§41-1014 (DBA’s)
§41-1017 (Commissions)
§41-1018 (Appointments)
§41-1021 (Reporting of Actions)
§41-1314 (Rebates – Illegal Inducements)
Idaho Statutes:
Title 30, Chapters 21 and 29 (Resident Corporations)
Title 30, Chapters 21 and 25 (Resident Limited Liability Companies)
Title 30, Chapter 21 (Non-Resident Agencies, Requirement to Register)
§30-21-801 through §30-21-810 (Use of a DBA/Assumed Business Name)
Rules:
18.03.05 Credit Life and Credit Disability Insurance
Bulletin 12-03 Certificates of Insurance
Bulletin 11-01 Money Handling and Fiduciary Funds
Definitions
Business entity: a corporation, association, partnership, Limited Liability Company, limited liability partnership or other legal entity. Not to be confused with a Company (an insurer or carrier.)
Company: the insurer or carrier of insurance providing products for sale.
Producer: a person required to be licensed under the laws of this state to sell, solicit or negotiate insurance. We refer to business entities as producers as well.
DRLP: Designated Responsible Licensed Producer is an individual responsible for the business entity’s compliance with the insurance laws and rules of this state. This individual should carry all lines of authority the agency is requesting.
Service of Process: a process whereby nonresident producers shall appoint the director as their agent for purposes of receiving service of legal process issued against the producer in this state upon causes of action arising within this state out of transactions under the license.
DBA or Assumed Business Name: any name other than the true name of any formally organized or registered entity, under which name the entity holds itself out for the transaction of business in the state of Idaho.
For a full list of insurance licensing terms please click here.
License Requirements
All entities doing business in Idaho are required to register with the Idaho Secretary of State
Each business entity must have at least one Idaho licensed producer (the DRLP) registered to the agency. Multiple producers may be used to cover this requirement.
Certain changes within the business entity need to be reported to the Department. The changes that must be reported are as follows:
- Change of Officers/Directors Form
- Change of Ownership
- Business Entity Name Change
- Change of FEIN– If there is a change to the FEIN a new business entity license will be required. The new license will need to be merged with the existing license via a request to merge license. Active appointments and registrations will transfer to the new FEIN.
Application Checklist
For a step-by-step guide to applying online check out our guides.
- Applications are accepted online via NIPR or SIRCON .
- Registration with the Idaho Secretary of State
- At least one registered licensed producer (DRLP) listed on the application. that is licensed in Idaho.
- Non-Refundable Fee: $80.
- Variable Line Only: An agency must be registered with FINRA to carry the Variable line of authority. It must have its own CRD number, not provide one that belongs to an agent or their brokerage. Please note a licensed insurance agency can still receive commission for variable sales without the Variable line on their license IF the business was placed through an agent and brokerage carrying the variable line.
Renewal Information
The Department considers the renewal of a license to be the responsibility of the licensee.
Licenses are good for 24 months (2 years) and expire on the 1st day of the month following issuance.
Online Renewal
License renewal is available online via either NIPR or SIRCON .
There is a Non-Refundable fee of $60 (plus vendor processing fee) if renewing online prior to expiration date. Be sure to provide a current email address. A license copy will be emailed upon approval.
A copy of the license can also be downloaded at no charge after 24-48 hours.
Renewal by Mail
There is a Non-Refundable fee of $80 if renewing by mail prior to expiration date. Checks should be made payable to the Idaho Department of Insurance.
Paper renewal is available using the following form, Renewal Form, Agency
The completed application and attachments should be mailed to:
Idaho Department of Insurance
700 W State Street, 3rd Floor
PO Box 83720
Reinstatement
Resident and Non-resident Business Entities: If the business entity has not renewed its license before the expiration date, the license will require reinstatement.
Reinstatement is available up to one (1) year past the expiration of the business entity license.
Reinstate Online
There is a Non-Refundable fee of $120 plus applicable vendor transaction fees when reinstating online.
An online license reinstatement for resident and non-resident business entities can be done through either SIRCON or NIPR.
Reinstate by Mail
Paper reinstatement is available using the following forms:
Reinstatement Form, Business Entity, Resident
Reinstatement Form, Business Entity, Non-Resident
There is a Non-Refundable fee of $160 when renewing by mail. Checks should be made payable to the Idaho Department of Insurance.
If applying for reinstatement by paper. The completed application and attachments should be mailed to:
Idaho Department of Insurance
700 W State Street, 3rd Floor
PO Box 83720
Reporting of Actions
All Producers and Agencies have a duty to report any criminal or administrative actions to the Idaho Department of Insurance within 30 days per §41-5819
The Department encourages producers to use the NIPR Reporting of Actions Warehouse at www.nipr.com as a convenient means to post their documents and explanations to report to any state in which they are licensed.
Resources
Add a Line of Authority via NIPR
Add a Line of Authority via Sircon
Add or Remove Associations and Affiliations via Sircon
Apply for a License via Sircon
Renew an Existing License via NIPR
Renew an Exsisting License via Sircon
Update Contact Information via NIPR
Update Business Entity Address via Sircon
Update Business Entity Email via Sircon
Printable Forms
Change of Officers/Directors Form
Cancelation of a Line of Authority Form
Continuing Education, Resident Flyer
Reinstatement Form, Business Entity, Resident
FAQ
Is my business required to have a license if I have a license?
A business entity that acts as an insurance producer needs to have a business insurance license separate from any individual license.
Is my agency required to have all producers registered to the agency license?
Yes all licensed producers acting as an agent of an insurer need to be appointed to the insurer. Please see §41-1018 for more information.
The Forms and Links section contains the needed forms for registration and termination forms.
Am I required to register my business with the Idaho Secretary of State (SOS)?
Yes, all entities doing business in Idaho must be registered with the Idaho Secretary of State.
What is a DRLP?
The Designated Registered Licensed Producer is an individual responsible for the business entity’s compliance with the insurance laws and rules of this state.
Can I use multiple DRLPs to cover all lines of authority, if needed?
Yes, multiple DRLPs can be assigned if one producer does not carry all of the lines the agency is applying form.
Can an agency carry the Variable line on their business producer license if they don’t have their own CRD number?
No. An agency must be registered with FINRA to carry the Variable line on its license. It must have its own CRD number, not provide one that belongs to an individuals or their brokerage. Please note, a licensed insurance agency can still receive commissions for variable sales without carrying the Variable line on their license, If the business was placed through an agent and brokerage carrying the Variable line.
Can an agency receive commissions if they do not carry the Variable line on their license?
Yes, A licensed insurance agency can still receive commissions for variable sales without carrying the Variable line on their own license. If the business was placed through an agent and brokerage carrying the Variable line on their license.
My business license expires in a few months, why can’t I find a renewal option online for Idaho?
Idaho renewals are available only up to 60 days prior to the expiration date on the license. You may be too early and will need to check back at a later date.
Can I add a DBA to my license? How do they work in relation to my license?
Please see the Doing Business AS (DBA) Information and FAQs section of our website under Licensed Professionals, Other Information.
Do I need to report a change of ownership?
Yes. Per Title 41-1008(6), you must report a change of ownership to the Department of Insurance within 30 days, using our form. The form is on our website homepage under Licensed Professionals, Forms/Links.
Can Registrations and Terminations be done by paper, or only electronically?
If you submit more than 25 requests per year, we require you to do these transactions electronically through Sircon. If you do fewer than 25 per year, or if your agency’s FEIN is associated to multiple license numbers in the system, you may submit these on paper. The form is on our website homepage, under Licensed Professionals, Forms/Links.
Where can I print my license?
You can print a license copy by clicking here.
Have more questions?
Contact the Licensing Team