1. The Missouri state board of accountancy may require that fingerprint submissions be made as part of an application seeking licensure as a certified public accountant and a permit for a certified public accounting firm, as defined in section 326.256.
2. If the Missouri state board of accountancy requires that fingerprint submissions be made as part of such application, the Missouri state board of accountancy shall require applicants to submit the fingerprints to the Missouri state highway patrol for the purpose of conducting a state and federal fingerprint-based criminal history background check.
3. The fingerprints and any required fees shall be sent to the Missouri state highway patrol's central repository. The fingerprints shall be used for searching the state criminal records repository and shall also be forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a federal criminal records search under section 43.540. The Missouri state highway patrol shall notify the Missouri state board of accountancy of any criminal history record information or lack of criminal history record information discovered on the individual. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 610.120 to the contrary, all records related to any criminal history information discovered shall be accessible and available to the Missouri state board of accountancy.