In order to be licensed in Colorado, a new bill could require about 160,000 medical professionals to undergo fingerprint-based background checks. The state is one of just six that doesn’t require fingerprint checks for doctors and one of five that exempt nurses from the practice. The proposed legislation would require licensure applicants to pay for the fingerprinting. If passed, the law would be in place to all first-time applicants as soon as this summer and, for others, within three years. A separate bill could be in the works for those in behavioral health.

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