(a) When the Secretary of State is satisfied as to the good character, competency, and integrity of an applicant, of all employees or individuals conducting the private investigation business or security guard services under a firm license and, if the applicant is a firm, of each member, officer or partner, he or she shall issue and deliver to the applicant a certificate of license. Each license issued shall be for a period of two years and is revocable at all times for cause shown pursuant to subsection (b) of this section or any rules promulgated pursuant thereto.
(b) The Secretary of State may propose for promulgation in accordance with the provisions of chapter 29A of this code legislative rules necessary for the administration and enforcement of this article and for the issuance, suspension, and revocation of licenses issued under the provisions of this article. The Secretary of State shall afford any applicant an opportunity to be heard in person or by counsel when a determination is made to deny, revoke, or suspend an applicants license or application for license, including a renewal of a license. The applicant has 15 days from the date of receiving written notice of the Secretary of States adverse determination to request a hearing on the matter of denial, suspension, or revocation. The action of the Secretary of State in granting, renewing, or in refusing to grant or to renew, a license is subject to review by the circuit court of Kanawha County or other court of competent jurisdiction.
(c) At any hearing before the Secretary of State to challenge an adverse determination by the Secretary of State on the matter of a denial, suspension, or revocation of a license, if the adverse determination is based upon a conviction for a crime which would bar licensure under the provisions of this article, the hearing shall be an identity hearing only and the sole issue which may be contested is whether the person whose application is denied or whose license is suspended or revoked is the same person convicted of the crime.
(d) The Secretary of State shall require each applicant to submit to a state and national criminal history record check, as set forth in this subsection:
(1) 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.