§1 - C.45:1-7.6
An Act concerning professional and occupational licenses, and supplementing P.L.1999, c.403 (C.45:1-7.1 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, during a state of emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to P.L.1942, c.251 (C.App.A:9-33 et seq.), or a public health emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to P.L.2005, c.222 (C.26:13-1 et seq.), and with the approval of the Attorney General, a professional or occupational licensing board within the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety or, with regard to any industry regulated by the division, the director of the division, as applicable, may grant a license, certificate of registration or certification on an expedited basis to any individual who holds a corresponding license, certificate of registration or certification, in good standing, in another state. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, and to effectuate the purposes of this act, the board or director, as applicable, may take additional action necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare, including but not limited to the following:
a. Temporarily waive any requirements to undergo a criminal history record background check as a condition of granting a license, certificate of registration or certification by reciprocity pursuant to this section;
b. Temporarily waive any requirement that licensure, registration, or certification standards in another state be substantially equivalent to the standards in this State as a condition of granting a license, certificate of registration or certification by reciprocity;
c. Temporarily waive any licensing, registration or certification fees;
d. Temporarily waive any other requirements contained in section 3 of P.L.2013, c.182 (C.45:1-7.5) or any other applicable law;
e. Prescribe the duration and terms of any license, certificate of registration or certification granted pursuant to this section; or
f. Require any individual granted a license, certificate of registration or certification pursuant to this section to arrange and agree to supervision by an individual holding a license, certificate of registration or certification, in good standing, while practicing the profession or occupation in this State.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill allows the director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety, with the approval of the Attorney General, to expedite the professional and occupational licensing process for out-of-state individuals when the New Jersey Governor has declared a state of emergency. The individual applying for a specific license, certificate of registration, or certification in New Jersey must have a corresponding license, certificate of registration or certification in good standing from another jurisdiction. The bill gives the director and applicable boards the ability to waive certain requirements normally required in the licensure process, such as a criminal history record background check of an individual and payment of certain fees for the license, certificate of registration or certification.
Permits professional and occupational licensing boards to expedite licensure of certain individuals during state of emergency or public health emergency.