Sec. 901.169. CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD INFORMATION. (a) The board shall require an individual to submit a complete and legible set of fingerprints, on a form prescribed by the board, to the board or to the Department of Public Safety for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information from the Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation if:

(1) the individual has not previously submitted fingerprints for the purpose of the board obtaining criminal history record information; and

(2) the individual:

(A) is an applicant to take the uniform CPA examination;

(B) is an applicant for a certificate;

(C) is an owner or seeks to become an owner of a certified public accountancy firm and the individual is not a license holder, if requested by the board under Section 901.354(e);

(D) is an applicant for a license under Subchapter I; or

(E) is an applicant for renewal of a license under Subchapter I, unless the applicant is an individual who does not engage in the practice of public accountancy because of retirement or permanent disability.

(b) The board may not allow an individual to take the uniform CPA examination or issue a certificate or license to an individual who does not comply with the requirement of Subsection (a).

(c) The board may administratively suspend or refuse to renew the license of an individual who is an applicant for renewal of a license under Subchapter I and who does not comply with the requirement of Subsection (a).

(d) The board shall require a license holder who qualified for an exemption described by Subsection (a)(2)(E) to comply with the requirement of Subsection (a) if the license holder no longer qualifies for the exemption.

(e) The board shall conduct a criminal history record information check of each individual required to submit fingerprints under Subsection (a) using information:

(1) provided by the individual under this section; and

(2) made available to the board by the Department of Public Safety, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and any other criminal justice agency under Chapter 411, Government Code.

(f) The board may:

(1) enter into an agreement with the Department of Public Safety to administer a criminal history record information check required under this section; and

(2) authorize the Department of Public Safety to collect from each applicant the costs incurred by the Department of Public Safety in conducting the criminal history record information check.

Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 181 (H.B. 1520), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2019.