Sponsored by:
Senator HOLLY T. SCHEPISI
District 39 (Bergen and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Waives requirement to attend in-person continuing education as a result of public health emergency.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning in-person requirements for continuing education, and supplementing P.L.1978, c.73 (C.45:1-14 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. As used in this act:
“Renewal period” means the current annual, biennial, or any other period for which a license, certificate of registration, certification, or any other credential has been renewed.
b. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, if a public health emergency is declared by the Governor pursuant to P.L.2005, c.222 (C.26:13-1 et seq.), any requirement that a certain number of continuing education credits be completed in-person in order to renew a professional or occupational license, certificate of registration, certification, or any other credential shall be waived for the duration of the renewal period in which the public health emergency was declared and an individual may complete any continuing education requirements through distance learning, which includes, but is not limited to, Internet- or correspondence-based classes. The provisions of this section shall apply to any license, certificate of registration, certification, or any other credential issued by any entity designated in section 2 of P.L.1978, c.73 (C.45:1-15), by any principal department of the Executive Branch of State Government or any entity within any department, or any other entity hereafter created to license or otherwise regulate a profession or occupation.
c. The provisions of this section shall apply to any individual reactivating or reinstating a New Jersey license, certificate of registration, certification, or any other credential during a public health emergency in New Jersey.
2. The Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety, or any other principal department of the Executive Branch of State Government or other entity within any department created to license or otherwise regulate a profession or occupation shall, in accordance with the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), adopt any rules or regulations as is deemed necessary to carry out the provisions of this act.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill provides that any requirement to complete a certain number of continuing education credits in-person in order to renew a license, certificate of registration, certification, or any other credential, is waived should the Governor declare a public health emergency. The waiver is to last for the duration of the renewal period during which a public health emergency has been declared. “Renewal period” is defined by the bill as the current annual, biennial, or any other period in which a license, certificate of registration, certification, or any other credential has been renewed. The bill provides that an individual whose in-person requirements are waived may complete continuing education requirements through distance learning, which includes, but is not limited to, Internet- or correspondence-based classes. The bill also applies to individuals seeking a reactivation or reinstatement of a license, certificate of registration, certification, or other credential. Numerous professions and occupations require individuals to earn a certain number of continuing education credits in-person prior to the renewal of a specific credential. This bill accounts for difficulties an individual may face in meeting that requirement since facilities providing continuing education may temporarily close during a public health emergency.