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Related Information

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Producers who hold a surplus lines license and are in good standing in their home state only need to apply for a non-resident surplus lines license from the Pennsylvania Insurance Department.

The amendments to the Surplus Lines Law that became effective September 7, 2002 (contained in Act 110), not only made a provision for non-resident surplus lines licensing, but, repealed the former requirement of maintaining an appropriate surplus lines tax bond.

Any insurance of risks resident, located or to be performed in this Commonwealth, permitted to be placed through a surplus lines licensee with a nonadmitted insurer eligible to accept such insurance, other than reinsurance, wet marine and transportation insurance, independently procured insurance, life and health insurance and annuities and coverage obtained from risk retention groups under the Risk Retention Amendments of 1986 (Public Law 99-563, 100 Stat. 3170).
Refer to the Surplus Lines Overview for more information.

The Pennsylvania surplus lines premium tax is 3 percent of gross premiums less any returns. Refer to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue Surplus Lines Agent Tax web page or the RCT-123 Annual Tax Report for additional information.

The Pennsylvania Surplus Lines Association (PSLA) is a non-profit organization that serves as an advisory organization under contract with the Pennsylvania Insurance Department for purposes of advising and consulting on matters concerning the surplus lines marketplace in Pennsylvania. At the same time PSLA provides extensive training and education to both resident and non-resident surplus lines licensees.
PSLA is also a voluntary membership organization for resident and non-resident surplus lines licensees and supporting membership for producers, insurance carriers and other interested parties concerned in obtaining greater knowledge of this marketplace and the role surplus lines plays in the overall property and casualty insurance industry.
Refer to About Us for more information.

There are two types of surplus lines licenses – resident and non-resident. An applicant for a Resident Surplus Lines License shall:
- Be currently licensed in good standing as a resident Pennsylvania Property and Casualty insurance producer;
- Pass the Pennsylvania Surplus Lines examination—there are no exemptions
- Submit the appropriate application and pay the license fee via Sircon using the kiosk at the exam center; and
- If there is a partnership or corporation involved, Form IDL-22 must also be submitted via Sircon. Applicants can contact the Department for the application, and statement of regulations.
Refer to Obtain a Surplus Lines License for more information.

A non-resident surplus lines license may only be obtained for the purpose of placing business on behalf of a Pennsylvania resident with an eligible surplus lines insurer. An applicant must be currently licensed in Pennsylvania as a non-resident property and casualty insurance producer and either pass Pennsylvania’s surplus lines examination or hold surplus lines authority in their home state.
Refer to Obtain a Surplus Lines License for more information.

Utilization of an individual surplus lines license alone is only applicable in the case of certain proprietorship type agencies. In the vast majority of cases, however, an individual license is not only required but an appropriate agency license is also required. In the case of non-resident licensees, this requirement in Pennsylvania is notwithstanding any alternative requirements that may apply in your home state. Therefore, whether there are one or more individual surplus lines licensees in an agency, all must function under the single agency license.
Refer to the 01/23/2004 Bulletin or the Surplus Lines Licensing Requirements for more information.