(a) Before issuing a public adjuster license to an applicant under the public adjusters licensing act, the commissioner shall find that the applicant:

(1) Is eligible to designate this state as the applicant’s home state or is a nonresident who is not eligible for a license under Kan. Stat. Ann. § 40-5508, and amendments thereto;

(2) has not committed any act that is a ground for denial, suspension or revocation of a license as set forth in Kan. Stat. Ann. § 40-5510, and amendments thereto;

(3) is trustworthy, reliable and of good reputation, evidence of which may be determined by the commissioner;

(4) is financially responsible to exercise the rights and privileges under the license and has provided proof of financial responsibility as required in Kan. Stat. Ann. § 40-5511, and amendments thereto;

(5) has paid an application fee not to exceed $100; and

(6) maintains an office in the home state with public access during regular business hours or by reasonable appointment.

(b) In addition to satisfying the requirements of subsection (a), an applicant shall:

(1) Be at least 18 years of age; and

(2) have successfully passed the public adjuster examination.

(c) The commissioner may require any documents reasonably necessary to verify the information contained in the application.

(d) (1) The commissioner may require a person applying for a public adjuster license to be fingerprinted and submit to a state and national criminal history record check or to submit to a background check, or both.

(A) The fingerprints shall be used to identify the applicant and to determine whether the applicant has a record of criminal history in this state or another jurisdiction. The commissioner shall submit the fingerprints to the Kansas bureau of investigation and the federal bureau of investigation for a state and national criminal history record check. Local and state law enforcement officers and agencies shall assist the commissioner in the taking and processing of fingerprints of applicants and shall release all records of an applicant’s arrests and convictions to the commissioner.

(B) The commissioner may conduct or have a third party conduct a background check on a person applying for a public adjuster license.

(2) Whenever the commissioner requires fingerprinting or a background check, or both, any associated costs shall be paid by the applicant.

(3) The commissioner may use the information obtained from a background check, fingerprinting and the applicant’s criminal history only for purposes of verifying the identity of the applicant and in the official determination of the fitness of the applicant to be issued a license as a public adjuster in accordance with the public adjusters licensing act.

(e) Not later than December 1 of each year, the commissioner shall set and publish in the Kansas register the application fees required pursuant to subsection (a) for the next calendar year.