9522. Initiation of Eligibility Proceeding; Member Regulation Consideration

This rule is no longer applicable. NASD Rule 9522 has been superseded by FINRA Rule 9522. Please consult the appropriate FINRA Rule.

(a) Initiation by Association

(1) Issuance of Notice of Disqualification or Ineligibility

If Association staff has reason to believe that a disqualification exists or that a member or person associated with a member otherwise fails to meet the eligibility requirements of the Association, Association staff shall issue a written notice to the member or applicant for membership under Rule 1013. The notice shall specify the grounds for such disqualification or ineligibility.

(2) Notice Regarding a Member

A notice issued to a disqualified member shall state that the disqualified member may apply for relief by filing an application or, in the case of a matter set forth in Rule 9522(e)(1), a written request for relief, within ten business days after service of the notice. If the member fails to file the application or, where appropriate, the written request for relief, within the 10-day period, the membership of the member shall be canceled, unless the Department of Member Regulation grants an extension for good cause shown.

(3) Notice Regarding an Associated Person

A notice issued regarding a disqualified person to a member or applicant for membership under Rule 1013 shall state that such member or applicant for membership may file an application on behalf of itself and such person or, in the case of a matter set forth in Rule 9522(e)(1), a written request for relief, within ten business days after service of the notice. If the member fails to file the application or, where appropriate, the written request for relief, within the 10-day period, the registration of the disqualified person shall be revoked, unless the Department of Member Regulation grants an extension for good cause shown.

(4) Service

A notice issued under this section shall be served by facsimile or pursuant to Rules 9131 and 9134.

(b) Obligation of Member to Initiate Proceeding

A member shall file an application or, in the case of a matter set forth in Rule 9522(e)(1), a written request for relief, with the Central Registration Depository/Public Disclosure, if the member determines prior to receiving a notice under paragraph (a) that:

(1) it has become a disqualified member;

(2) a person associated with such member or whose association is proposed by an applicant for membership under Rule 1013 has become a disqualified person; or

(3) the member or applicant for membership under Rule 1013 wishes to sponsor the association of a person who is a disqualified person.

(c) Withdrawal of Application

A member may withdraw its application or written request for relief prior to a hearing by filing a written notice with the Central Registration Depository/Public Disclosure pursuant to Rules 9135, 9136, and 9137. A member may withdraw its application after the start of a hearing but prior to the issuance of a decision by the National Adjudicatory Council with prior written consent of the National Adjudicatory Council.

(d) Ex Parte Communications

The prohibitions against ex parte communications set forth in Rule 9143 shall become effective under the Rule 9520 Series when Association staff has initiated the eligibility proceeding and Association staff has knowledge that a member intends to file an application or written request for relief pursuant to the Rule 9520 Series.

(e) Member Regulation Consideration

(1) Matters that may be Approved by the Department of Member Regulation without the Filing of an Application

The Department of Member Regulation, as it deems consistent with the public interest and the protection of investors, may grant a written request for relief from the eligibility requirements by a disqualified member or a sponsoring member without the filing of an application by such disqualified member or sponsoring member if a disqualified member or disqualified person is subject to one or more of the following conditions but is not otherwise subject to disqualification:

(A) a disqualified member or disqualified person is subject to a disqualification based on an injunction that was entered ten or more years prior to the proposed admission or continuance by order, judgment, or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction from acting as an investment adviser, underwriter, broker, dealer, municipal securities dealer, government securities broker, government securities dealer, transfer agent, foreign person performing a function substantially equivalent to any of the above, entity or person required to be registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, or any substantially equivalent foreign statute or regulation, or as an affiliated person or employee of any investment company, bank, insurance company, foreign entity substantially equivalent to any of the above, or entity or person required to be registered under the Commodity Exchange Act or any substantially equivalent foreign statute or regulation, or from engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice in connection with any such activity, or in connection with the purchase or sale of any security.

(B) a sponsoring member makes a request to change the supervisor of a disqualified person; or

(C) a disqualified member or sponsoring member is a member of both the Association and another self-regulatory organization; and:

(i) the other self-regulatory organization intends to file a Notice under SEC Rule 19h-1 approving the membership continuance of the disqualified member or, in the case of a sponsoring member, the proposed association or continued association of the disqualified person; and

(ii) Member Regulation concurs with that determination.

(2) Matters that may be Approved by the Department of Member Regulation after the Filing of an Application

The Department of Member Regulation, as it deems consistent with the public interest and the protection of investors, may approve an application filed by a disqualified member or sponsoring member if a disqualified member or disqualified person is subject to one or more of the following conditions but is not otherwise subject to disqualification (other than a matter set forth in subparagraph (e)(1)):

(A) The disqualified person is already a participant in, a member of, or a person associated with a member of, a self-regulatory organization (other than the Association), and the terms and conditions of the proposed admission to the Association are the same in all material respects as those imposed or not disapproved in connection with such person's prior admission or continuance pursuant to an order of the Commission under SEC Rule 19h-1 or other substantially equivalent written communication;

(B) The Department of Member Regulation finds, after reasonable inquiry, that except for the identity of the employer concerned, the terms and conditions of the proposed admission or continuance are the same in all material respects as those imposed or not disapproved in connection with a prior admission or continuance of the disqualified person pursuant to an order of the Commission under SEC Rule 19h-1 or other substantially equivalent written communication, and that there is no intervening conduct or other circumstance that would cause the employment to be inconsistent with the public interest or the protection of investors;

(C) The disqualification previously was a basis for the institution of an administrative proceeding pursuant to a provision of the federal securities laws, and was considered by the Commission in determining a sanction against such disqualified person in the proceeding; and the Commission concluded in such proceeding that it would not restrict or limit the future securities activities of such disqualified person in the capacity now proposed, or, if it imposed any such restrictions or limitations for a specified time period, such time period has elapsed; or

(D) The disqualification consists of a court order or judgment of injunction or conviction, and such order or judgment:

(i) expressly includes a provision that, on the basis of such order or judgment, the Commission will not institute a proceeding against such person pursuant to Section 15(b) or 15B of the Act or that the future securities activities of such persons in the capacity now proposed will not be restricted or limited; or

(ii) includes such restrictions or limitations for a specified time period and such time period has elapsed; or

(E) The disqualified person's functions are purely clerical and/or ministerial in nature.

(3) Rights of Disqualified Member, Sponsoring Member, Disqualified Person, and Department of Member Regulation

(A) In the event the Department of Member Regulation does not approve a written request for relief from the eligibility requirements pursuant to subparagraph (e)(1), the disqualified member or sponsoring member may file an application, and such member shall have the right to proceed under Rule 9523 or 9524, as applicable. The Department of Member Regulation may require a disqualified member or sponsoring member to file an application with the Central Registration Depository/Public Disclosure, notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (e)(1).

(B) In the event the Department of Member Regulation does not approve an application pursuant to subparagraph (e)(2), the disqualified member or sponsoring member shall have the right to proceed under Rule 9523 or 9524, as applicable.

Amended by SR-NASD-2004-133 eff. March 7, 2005.
Amended by SR-NASD-2002-02 eff. January 3, 2002.
Amended by SR-NASD-99-76 eff. Sept. 11, 2000.
Amended by SR-NASD-98-57 eff. March 26, 1999.
Amended by SR-NASD-97-81 eff. Jan. 16, 1998.
Adopted by SR-NASD-97-28 eff. Aug. 7, 1997.

Selected Notices: 99-16, 00-56, 05-12.