Application for license; fees; etc.

(1) APPLICATION.—Application for a license to make loans under this chapter shall be in the form prescribed by rule of the commission. The commission may require each applicant to provide any information reasonably necessary to determine the applicant’s eligibility for licensure. The applicant shall also provide information that the office requires concerning any officer, director, control person, member, partner, or joint venturer of the applicant or any person having the same or substantially similar status or performing substantially similar functions or concerning any individual who is the ultimate equitable owner of a 10-percent or greater interest in the applicant. The office may require information concerning any such applicant or person, including, but not limited to, his or her full name and any other names by which he or she may have been known, age, social security number, residential history, qualifications, educational and business history, and disciplinary and criminal history. The applicant must provide evidence of liquid assets of at least $25,000 or documents satisfying the requirements of s. 516.05(10). At the time of making such application, the applicant shall pay to the office a nonrefundable biennial license fee of $625 for the principal place of business and for each branch application filed. Applications for a license for the principal place of business must also be accompanied by a nonrefundable investigation fee of $200. An application is considered received for purposes of s. 120.60 upon receipt of a completed application form as prescribed by commission rule, a nonrefundable application fee of $625, and any other fee prescribed by law. The commission may adopt rules requiring electronic submission of any form, document, or fee required by this chapter if such rules reasonably accommodate technological or financial hardship. The commission may prescribe by rule requirements and procedures for obtaining an exemption due to a technological or financial hardship.

(2) FEES.—Fees provided for in this section shall be collected by the office and shall be turned into the State Treasury to the credit of the regulatory trust fund under the office. The office shall have full power to employ such examiners or clerks to assist the office as may from time to time be deemed necessary and fix their compensation. The commission may adopt rules requiring electronic submission of any fee required by this section if such rules reasonably accommodate technological or financial hardship. The commission may prescribe by rule requirements and procedures for obtaining an exemption due to a technological or financial hardship.