The commission shall only issue an original license to an applicant if he or she:

(a) Submits an application, in writing, in a form prescribed by the commission which must contain, but is not limited to:

(1) The applicant's social security number;

(2) The recommendation of at least two persons who:

(A) Are property owners at the time of signing the application;

(B) Have been property owners for at least twelve months preceding the signing of the application;

(C) Have known the applicant for at least two years;

(D) Are not related to the applicant;

(E) Are not affiliated with the applicant as an employer, partner or associate or with the broker that will employ the applicant;

(F) Believe the applicant bears a good reputation for honesty, trustworthiness and fair dealing; and

(G) Believe the applicant is competent to transact the business of a real estate broker, associate broker or salesperson, as the case may be, in a manner that would protect the interest of the public.

(3) A clear record indicating all jurisdictions where the applicant holds or has held any professional license.

(4) A clear record indicating if the applicant has been convicted of any criminal offense or if there is any criminal charge pending against the applicant, or a member or officer of the brokerage business, at the time of application.

(b) Is at least eighteen years of age.

(c) Is a high school graduate or the holder of an equivalency diploma.

(d) Is trustworthy, of good moral character and competent to transact the business of a broker, associate broker or salesperson.

(e) Has paid the appropriate fee, if any, which must accompany all applications for original license or renewal.

(f) Has submitted to a state and national criminal history record check, as set forth in this subsection: Provided, That an applicant for a license who is an attorney at law may submit a letter of good standing from the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia in lieu of submitting to a state and national criminal history record check.

(1) This requirement is found not to be against public policy.

(2) The criminal history record check shall be based on fingerprints submitted to the West Virginia State Police or its assigned agent for forwarding to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

(3) The applicant shall meet all requirements necessary to accomplish the state and national criminal history record check, including:

(A) Submitting fingerprints for the purposes set forth in this subsection; and

(B) Authorizing the commission, the West Virginia State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to use all records submitted and produced for the purpose of screening the applicant for a license.

(4) The results of the state and national criminal history record check may not be released to or by a private entity except:

(A) To the individual who is the subject of the criminal history record check;

(B) With the written authorization of the individual who is the subject of the criminal history record check; or

(C) Pursuant to a court order.

(5) The criminal history record check and related records are not public records for the purposes of chapter twenty-nine-b of this code.

(6) The applicant shall pay the actual costs of the fingerprinting and criminal history record check.

(7) Before implementing the provisions of this subsection, the commission shall propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code. The rules shall set forth the requirements and procedures for the criminal history check and must be consistent with standards established by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact as authorized by 42 U. S. C. A. §14611, et seq.