§ 1385.009. — 1385.009. (Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 21, Sec. 17.)

An application for licensure as a pharmacy benefit manager under this article shall be verified by an authorized representative of the applicant and shall be in a form prescribed by the department. To the extent applicable, the department may direct licensure applicants to use the forms and processes available to and required of health care service plan licensure applicants and licensees created pursuant to this chapter and its implementing regulations, including Section 1351 and the forms and exhibits described in regulations, as amended, implementing that section. The application for licensure as a pharmacy benefit manager shall be accompanied by the fee prescribed by Section 1385.0016 and shall set forth or be accompanied by all of the following:
(a)
The
basic organizational documents of the applicant, such as the articles of incorporation, articles of association, partnership agreement, trust agreement, or other applicable documents, and all amendments to those documents.
(b)
A copy of the bylaws, rules and regulations, or similar documents regulating the conduct of the internal affairs of the applicant.
(c)
A list of the names, addresses, and official positions of the persons who are to be responsible for the conduct of the affairs of the applicant, including all members of the board of directors, board of trustees, executive committee, or other governing board or committee, the principal officers, each shareholder with more than 5 percent interest in the case of a corporation, all partners or members in the case of a partnership or association, and each person who has loaned funds to the applicant for the operation of its
business.
(d)
A statement of whether, within the preceding 10 years, the applicant, its management company, an affiliate of the applicant, a controlling person, officer, director, or other person occupying a principal management or supervisory position in the pharmacy benefit manager, management company, or affiliate, or a person intended to hold that relationship or position, has been convicted of or pleaded nolo contendere to a felony, been held to have committed an act involving dishonesty, fraud, or deceit in a judicial or administrative proceeding to which the person was a party, or has had a license or certificate to operate as a pharmacy benefit manager denied or revoked in another jurisdiction.
(e)
For an applicant not domiciled in this state, a power of attorney duly executed appointing the director the true and lawful attorney in fact of the applicant for the purposes of
service of all lawful process in a legal action or proceeding against the pharmacy benefit manager on a cause of action arising in this state.
(f)
Financial statements accompanied by a report, certificate, or opinion of an independent certified public accountant that demonstrates the financial viability of the applicant. Submission of financial statements may, at the direction of the department, be completed using the same forms and processes as required for health care service plans licensed pursuant to this chapter.
(g)
An affirmation that the applicant’s business practices and contracts comply with the applicable provisions of this chapter, including the requirements of pharmacy benefit manager contracts and business practices set forth in this article.
(h)
An affirmation that the applicant shall comply with all
requirements for reporting data to the Department of Health Care Access and Information in accordance with this article and Chapter 8.5 (commencing with Section 127671) of Part 2 of Division 107.
(i)
A description of the business operations of the applicant, including descriptions of its services, facilities, and personnel.
(j)
A list of all jurisdictions in which the applicant operates as a pharmacy benefit manager, including those in which the applicant holds a license, registration, or certification as a pharmacy benefit manager.
(k)
The applicant’s organization chart or charts that show the lines of responsibility and authority in the administration of the applicant’s business as a pharmacy benefit manager. The applicant shall include a narrative explanation of the organization chart, including the responsibility
and authority of each entity, board, committee, and position, and identify the persons who serve on the boards and committees and in those positions.
(l)
A list of all pharmaceutical supply chain entities, including drug manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors, that are contracted or affiliated with the applicant.
(m)
A list of all health care providers, including pharmacies and pharmacists, that are contracted or affiliated with the applicant.
(n)
A list of each payer with which the applicant is affiliated or has a contract for the provision of pharmacy benefit manager services, including a description of all services provided and the number of individual enrollees covered under the contract or contracts with each payer.
(o)
A statement describing
how the applicant shall provide for separation of medical and clinical decisionmaking from fiscal and administrative management to ensure that medical and clinical decisions shall not be unduly influenced by fiscal and administrative management, including a description of what controls will be put into place to assure compliance with this requirement.

Legislative History

Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 21, Sec. 17. (AB 116) Effective June 30, 2025.