R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-57-17: Investigation of license applications.

After receipt of an application for a license, the licensing authority shall conduct an investigation to determine whether the facts presented in the application are true and shall receive from the department of the attorney general all records of criminal information that it has or receives indicating any criminal activity on the part of the individual signing the application. The department of the attorney general shall also submit the fingerprints of the individual signing the application to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for review. The department of the attorney general shall provide the information subject to the rules and regulations promulgated by the attorney general regarding the production of that information.