N.D. Cent. Code § 10-04-10

10-04-10. Registration of broker-dealers, agents, investment advisers, and investment

adviser representatives - Notice filings by federal covered advisers.

1. Broker-dealers. It is unlawful for a person to transact business in this state as a

broker-dealer unless the person is registered under this chapter as a broker-dealer or

is exempt. The following persons are exempt from the registration requirements:

a. A broker-dealer without a place of business in this state if its only transactions

effected in this state are with:

(1) The issuer of the securities involved in the transactions;

(2) A broker-dealer registered as a broker-dealer under this chapter or not

required to be registered as a broker-dealer under this chapter;

(3) An institutional investor;

(4) A nonaffiliated federal covered investment adviser with investments under

management in excess of one hundred million dollars acting for the account

of others pursuant to discretionary authority in a signed record;

(5) A bona fide pre-existing customer whose principal place of residence is not

in this state and the person is registered as a broker-dealer under the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or not required to be registered under the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is registered under the securities laws

of the state in which the customer maintains a principal place of residence;

and

(6) A bona fide pre-existing customer whose principal place of residence is in

this state but was not present in this state when the customer relationship

was established, if:

(a) The broker-dealer is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of

1934 or not required to be registered under the Securities Exchange

Act of 1934 and is registered under the securities laws of the state in

which the customer relationship was established and where the

customer had maintained a principal place of residence; and

(b) Within thirty days after the customer's first transaction in this state, the

person files an application for registration as a broker-dealer in this

state and a further transaction is not effected more than forty-five days

after the date on which the application is filed, or, if earlier, the date on

which the commissioner notifies the person that the commissioner has

denied the application for registration or has stayed the pendency of

the application for good cause.

b. A person that deals solely in United States government securities and is

supervised as a broker-dealer in government securities by the board of governors

of the federal reserve system, the comptroller of the currency, the federal deposit

insurance corporation, or the office of thrift supervision.

Application for registration as a broker-dealer must be made in writing or

electronically in a form prescribed by the commissioner, must be signed by the

applicant, duly verified by oath, must be filed with the department, and must contain

information the commissioner determines to be necessary concerning the applicant.

The commissioner may also require such additional information relating to the

applicant and as to the previous history, record, or association of the applicant, its

officers, directors, employees, members, partners, managers, or trustees as the

commissioner deems necessary to establish whether or not the applicant should be

registered as a broker-dealer under the provisions of this law.

There must be filed with such application a written consent to the service of

process upon the commissioner in actions against such broker-dealer, conforming to

the requirements of section 10-04-14.

When an applicant has fully complied with the provisions of this subsection, the

commissioner may register such applicant as a broker-dealer unless the commissioner

finds that the applicant is not of good business reputation, or is not solvent, or the

applicant's principals and compliance or sales supervisor do not appear qualified by
ealer, conforming to

the requirements of section 10-04-14.

When an applicant has fully complied with the provisions of this subsection, the

commissioner may register such applicant as a broker-dealer unless the commissioner

finds that the applicant is not of good business reputation, or is not solvent, or the

applicant's principals and compliance or sales supervisor do not appear qualified by

training, examination, or experience to act on behalf of a broker-dealer in securities.

Except as prohibited by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the commissioner

may require an indemnity bond running to the state of North Dakota conditioned for the

faithful compliance by the broker-dealer and the broker-dealer's agents with all the

provisions of this law and for the faithful performance and payment of all obligations of

the broker-dealer and the broker-dealer's agents.

The bond must be of such type as may be approved by the commissioner and

must be in such amount as the commissioner deems necessary to protect purchasers.

Any such bond must have as surety thereon a surety company authorized to do

business in this state. When the commissioner has registered an applicant as a

broker-dealer, the commissioner shall notify the applicant of such registration.

2. a. Agent. It is unlawful for an individual to transact business in this state as an agent

unless the individual is registered under this chapter as an agent or is exempt

from registration. The following individuals are exempt from the registration

requirements:

(1) An individual who represents a broker-dealer in effecting transactions in this

state limited to those in section 15(h)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of

1934;

(2) An individual who represents a broker-dealer that is exempt under

subsection 1;

(3) An individual who represents an issuer that effects transactions solely in

federal covered securities of the issuer, but an individual who effects

transactions in a federal covered security under section 18(b)(3) or 18(b)(4)

(D) of the Securities Act of 1933 is not exempt if the individual is

compensated in connection with the agent's participation by the payment of

commissions or other remuneration based, directly or indirectly, on

transactions in those securities; or

(4) An individual who represents a broker-dealer registered in this state or

exempt from registration in the offer and sale of securities for an account of

a nonaffiliated federal covered investment adviser with investments under

management in excess of one hundred million dollars acting for the account

of others pursuant to discretionary authority in a signed record.

b. Application for registration as an agent must be made in writing or electronically

in a form prescribed by the commissioner, must be signed by the applicant and by

the registered broker-dealer or issuer employing or proposing to employ such

applicant, duly verified by oath, must be filed with the department, and must

contain information the commissioner determines to be necessary concerning the

applicant.

c. The commissioner shall require as a condition of registration that the applicant

pass a written examination as evidence of knowledge of the securities business.

d. The commissioner may also require such additional information as to the

applicant's previous business experience as the commissioner deems necessary

to determine whether or not the applicant should be registered as an agent under

the provisions of this law. If an agent proposes to be self-employed, the agent

shall specifically state the particular security or securities the agent proposes to

sell in this state in the application, and if said security or securities are exempt

under section 10-04-05 or 10-04-06, or have been registered by announcement

under section 10-04-07.1, or have been registered by coordination under section

10-04-07.2, or have been registered by qualification under section 10-04-08, then
fically state the particular security or securities the agent proposes to

sell in this state in the application, and if said security or securities are exempt

under section 10-04-05 or 10-04-06, or have been registered by announcement

under section 10-04-07.1, or have been registered by coordination under section

10-04-07.2, or have been registered by qualification under section 10-04-08, then

the commissioner may require that said self-employed agent file an indemnity

bond running to the state of North Dakota conditioned for the faithful compliance

by said self-employed agent with all the applicable provisions of this chapter and

for the faithful performance and payment of all obligations hereunder. The bond

must be in a form approved and in the amount required by the commissioner.

e. When an applicant has fully complied with the provisions of this subsection, the

commissioner may register such applicant as an agent unless the commissioner

finds that such applicant is not of good business reputation, or that the

broker-dealer named on the application is not a registered broker-dealer. When

the commissioner has registered an applicant as an agent, the commissioner

shall immediately notify the broker-dealer of such registration.

f. Every registered broker-dealer or issuer promptly shall notify the department of

the termination of the employment by the broker-dealer or issuer of a registered

agent.

Application for registration as an agent must be made in writing or electronically

in a form prescribed by the commissioner, must be signed by the applicant and by the

registered broker-dealer or issuer employing or proposing to employ such applicant,

duly verified by oath, must be filed with the department, and must contain information

the commissioner determines to be necessary concerning the applicant.

The commissioner shall require as a condition of registration that the applicant

pass a written examination as evidence of knowledge of the securities business;

provided, that not more than two officers or managers of an issuer may be registered

as an agent for a particular original offering of the issuer's securities without being

required to pass such written examination; and provided, further, that no such officer or

manager may again register within three years as such agent for this or any other

issuer without passing the written examination.

The commissioner may also require such additional information as to the

applicant's previous business experience as the commissioner deems necessary to

determine whether or not the applicant should be registered as an agent under the

provisions of this law. If an agent proposes to be self-employed, the agent shall

specifically state the particular security or securities the agent proposes to sell in this

state in the application, and if said security or securities are exempt under section

10-04-05 or 10-04-06, or have been registered by announcement under section

10-04-07.1, or have been registered by qualification under section 10-04-08, then the

commissioner may require that said self-employed agent file an indemnity bond

running to the state of North Dakota conditioned for the faithful compliance by said

self-employed agent with all the applicable provisions of this chapter and for the

faithful performance and payment of all obligations hereunder. The bond must be in a

form approved and in the amount required by the commissioner.

When an applicant has fully complied with the provisions of this subsection, the

commissioner may register such applicant as an agent unless the commissioner finds

that such applicant is not of good business reputation, or that the broker-dealer named

on the application is not a registered broker-dealer. When the commissioner has

registered an applicant as an agent, the commissioner shall immediately notify the

broker-dealer of such registration.
s of this subsection, the

commissioner may register such applicant as an agent unless the commissioner finds

that such applicant is not of good business reputation, or that the broker-dealer named

on the application is not a registered broker-dealer. When the commissioner has

registered an applicant as an agent, the commissioner shall immediately notify the

broker-dealer of such registration.

Every registered broker-dealer or issuer shall promptly notify the department of

the termination of the employment by the broker-dealer or issuer of a registered agent.

3. Investment advisers.

a. It is unlawful for any person to transact business in this state as an investment

adviser unless the person is registered under this chapter as an investment

adviser or is exempt from registration as an investment adviser. The following

persons are exempt from the registration requirements:

(1) A person without a place of business in this state that is registered under the

securities laws of the state in which the person has its principal place of

business if its only clients in this state are:

(a) Federal covered investment advisers, investment advisers registered

under this chapter, or broker-dealers registered under this chapter;

(b) Institutional investors; or

(c) Bona fide pre-existing clients whose principal places of residence are

not in this state if the investment adviser is registered under the

securities laws of the state in which the clients maintain principal

places of residences.

(2) A person without a place of business in this state if the person has had,

during the preceding twelve months not more than five clients resident in

this state in addition to those specified in paragraph 1; or

(3) Any other person exempted by rule or order of the commissioner issued

under this chapter.

b. Application for registration as an investment adviser must be made in writing or

electronically in a form prescribed by the commissioner, must be signed by the

applicant, duly verified by oath, must be filed with the department, and must

contain information the commissioner determines to be necessary concerning the

applicant.

The commissioner may also require such additional information relating to the

applicant and as to the previous history, record, or association of the applicant, its

officers, directors, employees, members, partners, managers, or trustees, as the

commissioner deems necessary to establish whether or not the applicant should be

registered as an investment adviser under the provisions of this chapter.

Except as prohibited by the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the commissioner

may require an indemnity bond running to the state of North Dakota conditioned for the

faithful compliance by the investment adviser and the investment adviser's

representatives with all the provisions of this law and for the faithful performance and

payment of all obligations of the investment adviser and the investment adviser's

representatives. The bond must be of such type as may be approved by the

commissioner and must be in such amount as the commissioner deems necessary to

protect persons in this state. Any such bond must have as surety thereon a surety

company authorized to do business in this state.

The commissioner may by rule or order provide for an examination to be taken by

any class of or all applicants, as well as persons who represent or will represent an

investment adviser in doing any of the acts which make the person an investment

adviser.

When an applicant has fully complied with the provisions of this subsection, the

commissioner may register such applicant as an investment adviser unless the

commissioner finds that the applicant is not of good business reputation or is not

solvent.

A registrant as investment adviser shall notify the department of any change of

address.

4. Federal covered adviser.

a. Except with respect to a federal covered investment adviser described in
visions of this subsection, the

commissioner may register such applicant as an investment adviser unless the

commissioner finds that the applicant is not of good business reputation or is not

solvent.

A registrant as investment adviser shall notify the department of any change of

address.

4. Federal covered adviser.

a. Except with respect to a federal covered investment adviser described in

subdivision b, it shall be unlawful for a person to transact business in this state as

a federal covered adviser unless such person has made a notice filing with the

department, in writing or electronically, consisting of a copy of those documents

that have been filed with the securities and exchange commission as the

commissioner may require by rule or otherwise and the prescribed notice filing

fee.

b. The following federal covered investment advisers are not required to comply with

the notice filing requirement:

(1) A federal covered investment adviser without a place of business in this

state if its only clients are:

(a) Federal covered investment advisers, investment advisers registered

under this chapter, and broker-dealers registered under this chapter;

(b) Institutional investors; or

(c) Bona fide pre-existing clients whose principal places of residence are

not in this state.

(2) A federal covered investment adviser without a place of business in this

state if the person has had, during the preceding twelve months, not more

than five clients that are resident in this state in addition to those specified

under paragraph 1.

A notice filing is effective from receipt until the following December thirty-first. It

may be renewed by filing with the department, prior to expiration, those documents

filed with the securities and exchange commission as the commissioner may require

by rule or otherwise, with the notice filing renewal fee.

If the information contained in any document filed with the department is or

becomes inaccurate or incomplete in any material respect, the federal covered adviser

shall file an amendment with the department whenever such amendment is filed with

the securities and exchange commission.

A notice filing may be terminated by a federal covered adviser by filing a notice of

termination with the department.

5. Investment adviser representatives. It is unlawful for an individual to transact business

in this state as an investment adviser representative unless the individual is registered

under this chapter as an investment adviser representative or is exempt from

registration as an investment adviser representative or that the investment adviser

representative is employed by or associated with an investment adviser that is exempt

from registration or a federal covered investment adviser that is excluded from the

notice filing requirements.

Application for registration as an investment adviser representative must be

submitted in writing or electronically in a form prescribed by the commissioner, be

signed by the applicant and if applicable, by the investment adviser employing or

proposing to employ the applicant, be duly verified by oath, be filed with the

department, and contain information the commissioner determines to be necessary

concerning the applicant.

When an applicant has fully complied with the provisions of this subsection, the

commissioner may register the applicant as an investment adviser representative

unless the commissioner finds that the applicant is not of good business reputation;

that the investment adviser named in the application is not a registered investment

adviser; or the federal covered adviser named in the application has not made a notice

filing with the commissioner, as required by subsection 4. When the commissioner has

registered an applicant as an investment adviser representative, the commissioner

shall immediately notify the investment adviser or the federal covered adviser, as

applicable, of such registration.
a registered investment

adviser; or the federal covered adviser named in the application has not made a notice

filing with the commissioner, as required by subsection 4. When the commissioner has

registered an applicant as an investment adviser representative, the commissioner

shall immediately notify the investment adviser or the federal covered adviser, as

applicable, of such registration.

Every registered investment adviser shall promptly notify the department of the

termination of the employment by the adviser of a registered investment adviser

representative. Every registered investment adviser representative employed by a

federal covered adviser or the federal covered adviser shall promptly notify the

department of the termination of such employment. The registration of the investment

adviser representative is automatically suspended from the time of termination of

employment until such time as the representative is registered by the commissioner as

a representative of another investment adviser or federal covered adviser.

The commissioner shall require as a condition of registration that the applicant

pass a written examination as evidence of knowledge of the securities business and

comply with any continuing education requirements as prescribed by the

commissioner. At the discretion of the commissioner, certain professional designations

may be accepted in lieu of an examination.

6. Refusal of registration. If the commissioner has reason to believe there are grounds to

refuse the approval of any application under this section, the commissioner may, by

order, summarily postpone the approval of any application made under this section. If,

after affording an applicant a hearing or an opportunity for a hearing as provided in

section 10-04-12, the commissioner finds that there is sufficient ground to refuse to

register such applicant as provided in this section, the commissioner shall enter an

order refusing to register such applicant. Such order shall state specifically the

grounds for its issuance. A copy of such order must be mailed to the applicant at the

applicant's business address, and if the application is for registration as an agent, to

the registered broker-dealer or issuer or if the application is for registration as an

investment adviser representative to the investment adviser or federal covered adviser

who proposed to employ such applicant. If the commissioner finds that an applicant

has been guilty of any act or omission which would constitute a sufficient ground for

revocation of a broker-dealer's, agent's, investment adviser's, or investment adviser

representative's registration under section 10-04-11, such act or omission may

constitute a sufficient ground for a finding by the commissioner that such applicant is

not of good business reputation.

7. Record and renewal of registrations. The names and addresses of all persons who

have been registered as broker-dealers, agents, investment advisers, or investment

adviser representatives, and all orders with respect thereto, and the names and

addresses of all federal covered advisers who have made a notice filing must be

recorded in a register of broker-dealers, agents, investment advisers, federal covered

advisers, and investment adviser representatives in the office of the commissioner.

Every registration and notice filing under this section expires on December thirty-first

of each year, unless renewed. The commissioner may by order provide for expirations

and renewals, including dates, forms, and procedures, adjust registration and notice

filing fees to correspond with expiration dates, and do any other thing which may be

necessary or convenient in order to participate in a central registration depository or

any similar arrangement designed to promote uniformity, to ease regulatory burdens,

or to encourage cooperation with other states, the securities and exchange
ing dates, forms, and procedures, adjust registration and notice

filing fees to correspond with expiration dates, and do any other thing which may be

necessary or convenient in order to participate in a central registration depository or

any similar arrangement designed to promote uniformity, to ease regulatory burdens,

or to encourage cooperation with other states, the securities and exchange

commission, or any registered national securities association or exchange.

8. Fees. The fee, which must accompany the application, for registration, transfer, or

notice filing, and for each annual renewal thereof is:

a. For each broker-dealer $240.00

b. For each agent $75.00

c. For each investment adviser or federal covered adviser $120.00

d. For each investment adviser representative $60.00

An application to register as a broker-dealer, agent, investment adviser, or investment

adviser representative may, with the consent of the commissioner, be withdrawn upon

written application.