(a) Licensees shall file with the Department a branch office registration form within 30 days before business is first conducted there. A branch office registration form shall be accompanied by the processing fee specified in N.J.A.C. 11:17-2.12. The appropriate registration form will be prescribed by the Department.

(b) Upon request of a properly completed branch office registration form and fee, the Department shall issue a branch office certificate. Branch office certificates shall expire contemporaneously with the producer's own license. The branch office certificate shall not authorize the transaction of business at any location other than that named.

(c) The licensee shall advise the Department in writing of closing of any branch office within 20 calendar days of the closing by returning the barnch office certificate for cancellation.

(d) A branch office shall be open to the public during such hours and days of the week as to provide the public reasonable access to the branch office. The branch office shall post the hours and days of operation in a manner reasonably calculated to inform the public.

(e) No branch office may be opened or operated unless at least one licensed individual insurance producer is permanently and exclusively assigned to that office and present or accessible during normal business hours except when engaged in the activities of the branch office elsewhere. The requirements of this section shall not preclude a branch office from remaining open to service accounts while the assigned producer is temporarily absent, and shall not permit unlicensed individuals to engage in any activities for which a license is required.