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A 1457

Enacts the New York travel insurance act

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Pamela Hunter and 1 co-sponsor

Establishes a New Jersey State Board of General Contractors to license, regulate, and discipline general contractors, with exams, renewals, and continuing education.

SUBSTITUTED BY S5304
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Bill Summary · A 1457

Summary — A1457: "General Contractor Licensing Act"

Note: Although the header provided referenced a different subject, the bill text and reports establish a New Jersey licensure scheme for general contractors. This summary reflects the bill text, committee amendments, and fiscal reports on A1457.

Purpose

Establishes a New Jersey State Board of General Contractors and creates a statutory system requiring licensure of general contractors to regulate entry, set standards, require examinations and continuing education, and provide disciplinary authority.

Key provisions

  • Creates the New Jersey State Board of General Contractors within the Division of Consumer Affairs.
  • Board membership: nine members (two public members appointed by the Governor, one Executive Branch designee, six professional members who must have practiced general contracting in NJ for at least 10 years). Initial staggered terms; thereafter three-year terms; usual term limits apply.
  • Definition: “General contractor” is an individual or business classified in specified trades by the Division of Property Management & Construction (trades including construction manager/as constructor, design build, general construction, general construction — alterations & additions, with an illustrative list of covered activities).
  • Licensure prerequisites (as amended by committee):
    • Minimum age 18 and good moral character.
    • Completion of an accredited degree program in construction or project management or completion of an approved apprenticeship program, plus specified field experience OR alternative demonstration of qualifying field experience as determined by the board.
    • Successful passage of an examination prepared/approved by the board (a board-created study guide is required).
  • Exemptions:
    • Individuals with at least 10 years of general contracting experience prior to the bill’s effective date (provided they have not declared bankruptcy or changed a business name to deceive others).
    • Persons licensed, certified, or registered in closely allied professions (as defined in the bill).
    • Special transitional provision allowing certain pre‑effective-date supervised field experience to qualify for licensure upon passing the exam.
  • Examinations: to be offered in‑State at least twice per year (committee amendment); the board may provide reasonable accommodations and offer the exam via the Internet.
  • Licensing and renewal:
    • Licenses are to be renewed every three years (as amended).
    • The board sets fees by regulation; fees must be sufficient to defray board expenses but not produce excess revenue.
    • Continuing education requirements for renewal to be established by the board.
    • Licensees must have the license available at the work site.
  • Board powers: set licensure standards, review applications, conduct examinations, issue/renew/suspend/revoke licenses, set fees, maintain a registry, promulgate regulations.

Fiscal impact

  • Office of Legislative Services (OLS) estimates indeterminate annual state expenditures to establish and operate the board and to administer exams.
  • Indeterminate annual revenue increases from fees, fines, and penalties. Fee levels and number of licensees are unknown (the board sets fees).

Who is affected

  • Individuals and businesses performing general contracting services in the covered trade classifications in New Jersey.
  • Current practitioners with 10+ years’ experience may be exempted from education/exam requirements if they meet other conditions.
  • Consumers may be affected through standardized qualifications, continuing education, and a disciplinary regime.

Procedural / timeline status

  • Introduced: January 9, 2024.
  • Reported by Assembly committees with amendments (Sept.–Nov. 2024).
  • Committee amendments broadened education/experience pathways, required a study guide, extended the renewal period to three years, and made other technical changes.
  • OLS fiscal note dated December 26, 2024.
  • Reported in the Legislature and, per recorded actions, A1457 was substituted by S5304 on June 13, 2025 (i.e., A1457’s provisions were carried forward in companion Senate bill S5304).

Potential impacts (practical)

  • Seeks to raise and standardize qualifications and oversight for general contractors, which could increase consumer protection and professional standards.
  • May raise compliance costs for contractors (education, exams, fees, continuing education).
  • Creates administrative costs for the State; revenue and net fiscal effect depend on fee-setting and the size of the regulated population.

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

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