Waives certain professional and occupational licensing fees for veterans and spouses of veterans.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Aura Dunn and 8 co-sponsors

Expands fee waivers for veterans and their spouses on multiple professional licenses to ease entry into licensed careers.

Received in the Senate, Referred to Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee

Summary of Bill A-936 (Session 222, New Jersey)

Purpose and intent

A-936 seeks to provide relief for veterans and the spouses of veterans by waiving certain professional and occupational licensing fees. The bill is designed to reduce barriers to employment for military spouses and veterans by eliminating or reducing recurring costs associated with obtaining and maintaining professional licenses.

Key provisions and changes (as proposed)

Fee waiver: Establishes a waiver of specified professional and occupational licensing fees for:

Veterans applying for or renewing professional licenses.
Spouses of veterans who are applying for or renewing professional licenses.

Scope of licenses: Applies to designated professional and occupational licenses within the state's regulatory framework. The bill specifies which fees are eligible for waiver, and may cover application fees, initial licensure fees, renewal fees, and possibly other related licensure costs. (Note: the exact list of licenses and fees would be detailed in the bill’s text.)

Duration and eligibility: Typically, such measures require that the applicant provide proof of veteran status or spouse relationship (e.g., DD-214 or other veteran designation) to qualify. The bill would set the eligibility criteria and any necessary documentation.

Administrative logistics: The measure would authorize appropriate state agencies or licensing boards to implement the fee waivers, develop procedures, and coordinate with veterans’ services to verify eligibility.

Affected parties

Veterans: Individuals who have earned veteran status and are seeking professional licenses or renewals in the state.

Spouses of veterans: Spouses seeking to obtain or renew professional licenses in the state.

Licensing boards and regulatory agencies: Entities responsible for issuing and renewing professional licenses would implement the waiver process.

Potential applicants: Individuals in regulated professions who would benefit from reduced barriers to licensure.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and referral: Introduced on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Legislative action: Reported out of the Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs with a 2nd Reading vote on March 16, 2026, moving toward floor consideration and potential passage.

Sponsors: Co-sponsors include Carol Murphy, Jay Webber, Erik Peterson, and Annette Quijano, indicating bipartisan support.

Potential impact and considerations

Workforce access: By waiving licensing fees, the bill could facilitate quicker entry or re-entry into licensed professions for veterans and their spouses, potentially aiding in employment stability and veteran reintegration.

Economic effect: Reducing upfront costs may lower barriers to employment in regulated fields, benefiting households of veterans.

Administrative considerations: Agencies would need to establish procedures to verify eligibility and ensure waivers are applied consistently, including managing any sunsets, renewal processes, or audit responsibilities.

Complementary policies: The bill may complement existing veteran benefits and workforce development programs, aligning with state objectives to support veterans and military families.

Note: The above summary reflects the bill’s stated objective and typical structure of similar fee-waiver measures. For precise provisions, eligible licenses, dollar amounts (if any remaining caps or limits), and implementation details, the full text of A-936 as amended would be the authoritative source.