LICENSE APPLICATION.

(a) Before an initial license is issued to an individual, firm, association, or corporation to act as an agent in this state for a title insurance company, the company must file an application for an agent's license with the department on forms provided by the department.

(b) The application must be:

(1) accompanied by a nonrefundable license fee; and

(2) signed and sworn to by the title insurance company and by the proposed agent.

(c) The completed application must state that:

(1) the proposed agent is:

(A) an individual who is a bona fide resident of this state;

(B) an association or firm composed only of Texas residents; or

(C) a Texas corporation or a foreign corporation authorized to engage in business in this state;

(2) the proposed agent has unencumbered assets in excess of liabilities, exclusive of the value of abstract plants, as required by Section 2651.012;

(3) the proposed agent, including a corporation's managerial personnel, if applicable, has reasonable experience or instruction in the field of title insurance;

(4) the title insurance company:

(A) knows that the proposed agent has a good business reputation and is worthy of the public trust; and

(B) is unaware of any fact or condition that disqualifies the proposed agent from receiving a license; and

(5) the proposed agent qualifies as a title insurance agent under this chapter.

(d) Except as provided by Section 2651.0021(e), an agent applying for an initial license under this subchapter must provide evidence that the agent and its management personnel have successfully completed a professional training program that complies with Section 2651.0021. The program must have been completed within one year preceding the date of application.