(a) The commissioner may require any other proof he or she may deem advisable concerning the honesty and truthfulness of any applicant for a real estate license or license examination, or of the officers, directors, or persons owning more than 10 percent of the stock, of any corporation making application therefor, before authorizing the issuance of a real estate license. For this purpose the commissioner may call a hearing in accordance with this part relating to hearings. To assist in his or her determination the commissioner shall require every original applicant to be fingerprinted prior to issuing a license. The commissioner may require the fingerprints to be submitted either with the application to take the license examination or with the application for a real estate license.
(b) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2004.