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A 2803

Codifies and extends authorization for certain out-of-State health care practitioners and recent graduates of health care training programs to practice in New Jersey.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rosy Bagolie and 12 co-sponsors

Allows certain out-of-state health pros to practice in NJ on provisional basis while licensure is pending, and issues temporary graduate licenses; one-year limit with DCA monitoring.

Reported out of Senate Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
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Bill Summary · A 2803

Bill Summary: A-2803 (Reprint SCM 2/10/25)

Title: Codifies and extends authorization for certain out‑of‑State health care practitioners and recent graduates of health care training programs to practice in New Jersey

Purpose

A-2803 authorizes specified out‑of‑State health care professionals who have applied for New Jersey licensure to practice in New Jersey on a provisional basis while their applications are pending. It also creates temporary graduate licenses for certain recent graduates of accredited health professional training programs so they may practice until they obtain full licensure or fail the required exam.

Key provisions

  • Provisional authorization to practice:

    • Applies to out‑of‑State applicants for licensure/certification in professions including: alcohol and drug counselors; marriage and family therapists; professional counselors; physicians (medicine/surgery); homemaker‑home health aides; professional, practical, and advanced practice nurses; psychologists; psychoanalysts; respiratory care practitioners; and social workers.
    • Committee amendment: provisional authorization is limited to a maximum of one year.
    • The out‑of‑State jurisdiction of origin must require both state and federal background checks for licensure in that profession.
    • New Jersey licensing boards must review National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) reports for applicants and monitor adverse disciplinary information.
    • If a provisional practitioner’s out‑of‑state license is suspended, revoked, or otherwise subject to adverse action, the practitioner must immediately notify the Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA). The DCA will determine whether the practitioner may continue to practice; the practitioner is prohibited from practicing in NJ under the provisional authorization until that determination is made.
    • Failure to notify DCA of an adverse action subjects the practitioner to civil penalties of $500 per day for each day notice is not provided. A court may reduce or eliminate the penalty if the practitioner shows lack of knowledge or that the action was minor/technical and did not affect health or safety.

  • Temporary graduate licenses:

    • Recent graduates (generally within six months) of specified accredited programs may be granted temporary State licenses to practice until they attain full state licensure or fail the licensure exam.
    • Professions covered include: professional counselors, physician assistants, professional nurses, practical nurses, pharmacists, respiratory care practitioners, and social workers (subject to additional state requirements).

Who is affected

  • Out‑of‑state health professionals applying for NJ licensure
  • Recent graduates seeking temporary licensure in listed professions
  • New Jersey licensing boards and the Division of Consumer Affairs
  • Employers and health care facilities that may hire provisional or temporary practitioners
  • Patients, who may receive care from provisional/temporary licensees

Fiscal and administrative impact

  • Office of Legislative Services (OLS) estimates an indeterminate annual increase in State expenditures (administrative costs to DCA/boards) and indeterminate State revenue increases (civil penalties).
  • OLS notes NPDB continuous monitoring costs ($2.50 per practitioner) and that overall fiscal magnitude depends on the number of affected practitioners.

Legislative status and timeline

  • Introduced in Assembly: 2024‑01‑09 (Referred to Assembly Regulated Professions Committee)
  • Reported out of Assembly Committee: 2024‑02‑22
  • Passed Assembly: 2024‑03‑18 (77‑0‑0)
  • Received in Senate; referred to Senate Commerce Committee: 2024‑04‑11
  • Reported out of Senate Commerce Committee with amendments (2nd Reading): 2025‑02‑10
  • Companion bill: S-3565 (identical as reported)

Notable details / limitations

  • Provisional practice is expressly time‑limited (up to one year per amendment).
  • Practitioners may be barred from practicing under the provisional authorization while DCA reviews adverse actions.
  • Civil penalty provisions include a judicial safety valve to reduce or eliminate penalties under specified circumstances.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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