New Jersey is waiving several regulatory requirements for healthcare professional licensed elsewhere to be cleared to work in the state during the coronavirus-related public health emergency."Today's actions are part of a coordinated statewide effort to bolster our emergency preparedness and make sure that we maximize the amount of medical resources available to our residents during this unprecedented healthcare emergency,” said Paul R. Rodríguez, acting director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. Under these waivers, individuals who hold current healthcare licenses and certifications in good standing in other jurisdictions, and have been practicing within the last five years, will be able to secure New Jersey licenses by completing a simple form.
DCA intends to grant applications within hours of receiving the form.
Eligible practitioners will be deemed licensed upon submission of a completed form. Licenses granted pursuant to this process will be valid for 180 days, with an additional 180-day extension available upon written request.
Under the accelerated temporary-licensure-by-reciprocity process, criminal history background checks licensing fees, and submission of proof of a sufficient amount of medical malpractice insurance (where applicable) are waived. Certain licensure bodies are waiving additional requirements as well.
The waivers were approved by Rodríguez and the heads of nearly 20 professional licensure bodies within the DCA.It complements legislation Gov. Phil Murphy signed Thursday to expedite licensure by reciprocity and to make it easier for healthcare professionals to offer telemedicine and telehealth services during the current state of emergency.
Other New Jersey state agencies are simultaneously taking action to further expand access to telemedicine and telehealth services.“The actions that the Murphy administration is announcing will bring in necessary reinforcements so that New Jerseyans will continue to have access to world-class treatment to address COVID-19 and other essential healthcare needs," Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said."We are already seeing a need for such services with the sudden closure of college campuses across the country causing an influx of thousands of students coming home for an indefinite period, many of whom are under treatment by providers in other states," Rodriguez said. "With this temporary process, we are facilitating a continued relationship between those students and their out-of-state providers and reducing the risk of an interruption in their health care during this crisis.”The waivers also will facilitate the work of healthcare staff of the National Guard who have been deployed in New Jersey to assist with the response to COVID-19.
Healthcare practitioners who complete the accelerated licensure process will be able to provide telemedicine and telehealth services on the same terms as other New Jersey licensees.
“New Jersey’s healthcare professionals are among the best in the country, and they are doing an incredible job to combat the novel coronavirus while continuing to provide essential healthcare services to New Jersey residents during this public health emergency,” said Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal.
Accelerated temporary licensure by reciprocity is available for the following Boards:
