Ohio Code § 3905.20

§ 3905.20.

(A) An insurance agent shall not act as an agent of an insurer unless the insurance agent

is appointed as an agent of the insurer.  An insurance agent who does not act as an agent of an insurer shall not be required

to be appointed as an agent of the insurer. For purposes of this division, an insurance agent acts as an agent of an insurer when

the insurance agent sells, solicits, or negotiates any product of the insurer and

is compensated by the insurer. (B)(1) To appoint an insurance agent as its agent, an insurer shall file a notice of appointment

with the superintendent of insurance not later than thirty days after the date the

agency contract is executed or the first insurance application is submitted, whichever

is earlier.  The notice of appointment shall be provided in the manner prescribed by the superintendent. Each insurer shall pay to the superintendent a fee pursuant to division (A) of section 3905.40 of the Revised Code for every such appointment when issued and for each continuance thereafter.  Such an appointment, unless canceled by the insurer, may be continued in force past

the thirtieth day of June next after its issue and after the thirtieth day of June

of each succeeding year, unless a different date is determined by the superintendent. A separate appointment and fee are required for a variable life and variable annuity

products line of authority. (2) By appointing an insurance agent, an insurer certifies to the superintendent that

the person is competent, financially responsible, and suitable to represent the insurer. (3) While an appointment remains in force, an insurer shall be bound by the acts of the

person named in the appointment within that person's actual and apparent authority

as its agent. (C) The superintendent may, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, adopt

rules to establish appointment procedures, including cancellations and renewals, to

clarify the circumstances that require an appointment, and to provide for the appointment

of insurance agents to some or all of the insurers within an insurer's holding company

system or group.