(a) The applicant for a license to carry a concealed handgun shall submit the following to the Department of Arkansas State Police:

(1) A completed application, as described in § 5-73-310;

(2) A nonrefundable license fee of one hundred dollars ($100), except that the nonrefundable license fee is fifty dollars ($50.00) if the applicant is sixty-five (65) years of age or older;

(3)

(A) A full set of fingerprints of the applicant.

(B) In the event a legible set of fingerprints, as determined by the department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, cannot be obtained after a minimum of two (2) attempts, the Director of the Department of Arkansas State Police shall determine eligibility in accordance with criteria that the department shall establish by promulgating rules.

(C) Costs for processing the set of fingerprints as required in subdivision (a)(3)(A) of this section shall be borne by the applicant;

(4)

(A) A waiver authorizing the department access to any medical, criminal, or other records concerning the applicant and permitting access to all of the applicant's criminal records.

(B) If a check of the applicant's criminal records uncovers any unresolved felony arrests over ten (10) years old, then the applicant shall obtain a letter of reference from the county sheriff, prosecuting attorney, or circuit judge of the county where the applicant resides that states that to the best of the county sheriff's, prosecuting attorney's, or circuit judge's knowledge that the applicant is of good character and free of any felony convictions.

(C) The department shall maintain the confidentiality of the medical, criminal, or other records; and

(5) A digital photograph of the applicant or a release authorization to obtain a digital photograph of the applicant from another source.

(b)

(1) Upon receipt of the items listed in subsection (a) of this section, the department shall forward the full set of fingerprints of the applicant to the appropriate agencies for state and federal processing.

(2)

(A) The department shall forward a notice of the applicant's application to the sheriff of the applicant's county of residence and, if applicable, the police chief of the applicant's municipality of residence.

(B)

(i) The sheriff of the applicant's county of residence and, if applicable, the police chief of the applicant's municipality of residence may participate, at his or her discretion, in the process by submitting a voluntary report to the department containing any readily discoverable information that he or she feels may be pertinent to the licensing of any applicant.

(ii) The reporting under subdivision (b)(2)(B)(i) of this section shall be made within thirty (30) days after the date the notice of the application was sent by the department.

(c) A concealed handgun license issued, renewed, or obtained under § 5-73-314 or § 5-73-319 after December 31, 2007, shall bear a digital photograph of the licensee.