Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE
District 37 (Bergen)
Assemblyman GORDON M. JOHNSON
District 37 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Concerns names required on applications for professional and occupational licensure.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the names required on applications for professional and occupational licensure and supplementing P.L.1978, c.73 (C.45:1-21 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. An application to be completed for a professional or occupational license, certificate of registration, or certification, or for a renewal, reactivation or reinstatement of a professional or occupational license, certificate of registration, or certification, shall include:
(1) a line for the applicant to list a professional name;
(2) a line for the individual to list a legal name, if different from the professional name; and
(3) the ability for the applicant to choose which of the names is to appear on the license, certificate of registration or certification.
b. Notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, this section shall apply to every applicant for or holder of a professional or occupational license, certificate of registration, or certification issued, renewed, reactivated, or reinstated by a board specified in section 2 of P.L.2013, c. 253 (C.45:1-15).
2. This act shall take effect on the first day of the sixth month next following enactment, except that anticipatory administrative action in advance may be taken as necessary for the implementation of this act.
STATEMENT
This bill clarifies current State policy requiring an individual to list a legal name on an application when initially applying for or renewing, reactivating, or reinstating a professional or occupational license, certificate of registration, or certificate.
The bill requires applications for a professional and occupational license, certificate of registration, or certificate to include a line allowing an individual to list a professional name, a line for the individual to list a legal name, if different from the professional name, and the ability for the individual to choose which name is to appear on the license, certificate of registration, or certificate.
This bill allows individuals who practice a specific profession or occupation by one name to retain that name should the individual’s legal name change. Allowing an individual who has built a business under one name to continue using it even if the surname of the individual legally changes will prevent confusion among consumers who are clients of that individual. It will also allow the individual to forgo any additional costs required to obtain an updated license, certificate of registration, or certification, and to update any business website, advertising, or marketing.