An applicant must submit an application, to the sheriff of the county in which the applicant resides, for an optional enhanced permit to carry a concealed pistol. The application must include:
(1) A copy of the applicant's fingerprints for submission to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and any governmental agency or entity authorized to receive such information, for a state, national, and international criminal background check;
(2) An authorization to run a fingerprint background check;
(3) If the sheriff takes the fingerprints, the sheriff shall secure the fingerprints at no additional charge to the applicant; and
(4) Proof that the applicant:
(a) Has successfully completed a qualifying handgun course as defined in § 23-7-58, within the preceding twelve months; or
(b) Is a current or former law enforcement officer and has, within the preceding twelve months, qualified or requalified on a certified shooting course administered by a firearms instructor approved by the Law Enforcement Officers Standards Commission.
The sheriff shall forward the copy of the applicant's fingerprints, the applicant's authorization for processing a criminal background check, and the payment for the criminal background check to the Division of Criminal Investigation for processing.