Criminal background check of new applicants and licensees under disciplinary investigation

Each new applicant for licensure as an optometrist, in this state shall submit to a state and federal criminal background investigation by means of fingerprint checks by the Division of Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Upon application, the Board of Examiners of Optometry shall submit completed fingerprint cards to the Division of Criminal Investigation. Upon completion of the criminal background check, the Division of Criminal Investigation shall forward to the board all information obtained as a result of the criminal background check. This information shall be obtained before permanent licensure of the applicant. The board may require a state and federal criminal background check for any licensee who is the subject of a disciplinary investigation by the board. Failure to submit to or cooperate with the criminal background investigation is grounds for denial of an application or may result in revocation of a license. The applicant shall pay for any fees charged for the cost of fingerprinting or the criminal background investigation.

Source: SL 2009, ch 179, § 1.