(a) A license under this chapter, Chapter 5A (commencing with Section 1759), Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 1760), Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 1800), and Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 1831), of Part 2 of Division 1, and Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 14000) and Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 15000) of Division 5 shall be applied for, and renewed by the filing with the commissioner of a written application therefor. The application shall be on a form prescribed by the commissioner, which form shall prescribe the disclosure of information that will aid the commissioner in determining whether the prerequisites for the license sought have been met. The applicant shall declare, under penalty of perjury, that the contents of the application are true and correct.

(b) The forms prescribed by the commissioner other than for renewal applications may require authenticated fingerprints of any of the following:

(1) Individual applicants.

(2) Specified partners or officers of organization applicants.

(3) The individuals who are to transact insurance for an organization applicant.

(c) The forms may require the fingerprints to be affixed to the application or to an attachment to be affixed to the application. The commissioner, in his or her discretion, may require the fingerprints on applications for any, some, or all of the licenses issued pursuant to this chapter or Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 1760), Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 1800), or Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 1831), provided that as to any one such type of license the requirement is applied without discrimination to all applicants within specified classifications. The classifications may be made upon any or all of the following bases:

(1) Length of continuous residence in this state.

(2) Whether or not previously or currently licensed by the commissioner.

(3) Whether or not currently licensed by specified regulatory agencies of the State of California which require fingerprints on applications for licenses and routinely process the fingerprints for positive identification.

(4) Other reasonable criteria.

(d) The commissioner may decline to act on an incomplete or defective application until an amended application which completes the prescribed form is filed with him or her.

(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 254, Sec. 2. (AB 800) Effective January 1, 2010.)