§ 39.1. Definitions.

 The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

   Act—The Insurance Department Act of 1921 (40 P. S. § §  1—297.4).

   Agent—A person holding a certificate of qualification issued by the Department.

   Approved course—An educational program presented by means of classroom or correspondence study, certified by the Commissioner as meeting the continuing education requirements.

   Broker—A person holding a license issued by the Department.

   Certificate—A Certificate of Qualification issued by the Department attesting that a person has met the standards to act as an agent as set forth under section 603 of the act (40 P. S. §  233) and Chapter 37 (relating to agent certificates of qualification and broker licenses).

   Commissioner—The Insurance Commissioner of the Commonwealth.

   Credit hour—Fifty minutes of classroom instruction or the equivalent thereof as determined by the Commissioner.

   Department—The Insurance Department of the Commonwealth.

   Instructor—An individual responsible for teaching an approved course.

   License—A document issued by the Department authorizing the named recipient to do business as an insurance broker in this Commonwealth.

   Licensing period—The period of time from the effective date to the expiration date stated on the certificate or license.

   Nonresident—A person whose business address and legal residence are both outside this Commonwealth.

   Person—An individual, corporation, association, partnership, reciprocal exchange, inter-insurer, Lloyds insurer, fraternal benefit society, beneficial association and any other legal entity engaged in the business of insurance, including agents, brokers and adjusters. The term also includes health care plans as defined in 40 Pa.C.S. Chapters 61, 63, 65 and 67 and in the Health Maintenance Organization Act (40 P. S. § §  1551—1568). For purposes of this chapter, health care plans, fraternal benefit societies and beneficial societies shall be deemed to be engaged in the business of insurance.

   Resident—A person whose business address or legal residence is located in this Commonwealth.

   Sponsor—A person offering or providing an approved course.

   Successfully complete—To complete an approved course for which a valid course completion certificate is issued.

   Transition date—The date of the Department’s initial issuance of certificates of qualification.