(A) In addition to other requirements established by law and for the purpose of determining an applicant's eligibility for an authorization to practice, the department may require a criminal history background check of each applicant for an authorization to practice pursuant to this chapter. Each applicant may be required to furnish a full set of fingerprints and additional information required to enable a criminal history background check to be conducted by the State Law Enforcement Division or the State Identification Bureau of another state and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, if no disqualifying record is identified at the state level. Costs of conducting a criminal history background check must be borne by the applicant. The department shall keep information received pursuant to this section confidential, except that information relied upon in denying an authorization to practice may be disclosed as may be necessary to support the administrative action.

(B) In an investigation or disciplinary proceeding concerning a licensee, the department may require a criminal history background check of a licensee. A licensee may be required to furnish a full set of fingerprints and additional information required to enable a criminal history background check to be conducted by the State Law Enforcement Division or the State Identification Bureau of another state and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, if no pertinent information is identified at the state level. Costs of conducting a criminal history background check must be borne by the department and may be recovered as administrative costs associated with an investigation or hearing pursuant to this chapter, unless ordered by the board as a cost in a disciplinary proceeding. The department shall keep information received pursuant to this section confidential, except that information relied upon in an administrative action may be disclosed as may be necessary to support the administrative action.

HISTORY: 2006 Act No. 385, Section 1.