Resident Insurance Agents Now Need Background Checks

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Beginning next month, anyone applying to become a resident insurance agent in North Dakota must undergo a criminal background check.

The Legislature approved the move earlier this year in response to a surge of license applications from people who have recently moved to North Dakota. State Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm says the check includes fingerprinting.

The requirement doesn't apply to people renewing a license or those applying for one within a year of their license expiring or being canceled — unless it was suspended or revoked.

Hamm says North Dakota joins 25 other states in conducting background checks on people applying for resident agent licenses. He says the goal is to protect insurance consumers.