(a)
(1) Beginning July 1, 2005, every person applying for a license or renewal of a license issued by the Arkansas State Medical Board shall provide written authorization to the board to allow the Department of Arkansas State Police to release the results of a state and federal criminal history background check report to the board.
(2) The applicant shall be responsible for payment of the fees associated with the background checks.
(b)
(1) The state background check shall be from the Identification Bureau of the Department of Arkansas State Police.
(2) The federal background check shall:
(A) Be from the Federal Bureau of Investigation;
(B) Conform to the applicable federal standards; and
(C) Include the taking of fingerprints of the applicant.
(c) Upon completion of the criminal background checks required by this section, the Identification Bureau of the Department of Arkansas State Police:
(1) Shall forward to the board all releasable information obtained concerning the applicant; and
(2) May retain the fingerprinting card of the applicant until notified by the board that the person is no longer licensed.