(a) On receipt of an original application for a license, the department shall conduct a thorough background investigation of each individual applicant and of each controlling person of each applicant to determine whether that applicant or controlling person is qualified under this chapter. The department may deny an application for the issuance of a license if the department finds that an applicant or a controlling person is not qualified under this chapter. The investigation must include:
(1) the submission of fingerprints for processing through appropriate local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies; and
(2) examination by the department of police or other law enforcement records maintained by local, state, or federal law enforcement agencies.
(b) Department background investigations are governed by this chapter, Section 411.122, Government Code, and Chapter 53, Occupations Code. Conviction of a crime does not automatically disqualify a controlling person, require the revocation of a license, or require the denial of an application for a new or renewed license. The department shall consider criminal convictions as provided by Section 411.122, Government Code, and Chapter 53, Occupations Code.