By Richard A. West

Last week, New Jersey Attorney General Grewal announced a temporary waiver of certain regulatory requirements to facilitate the licensure of out-of-state medical practitioners, in anticipation of high demand for healthcare services throughout the state as the COVID-19 crisis escalates.

Enabling medical professionals to obtain licensure by reciprocity in New Jersey strengthens the state’s capability to respond to the pandemic that has caused the governor to declare a State of Emergency. This action affects more than twenty professional license categories, including the Boards of Medical Examiners, Nursing, Pharmacy, Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy and Respiratory Care.

Under this waiver, no criminal background checks will be performed, nor application fees paid. Out-of-state licensees are required to demonstrate that their licenses are in good standing and that they have practiced within the last five years. The Division of Consumer Affairs has committed to grant the license within hours of receiving the application. The Division has posted an Accelerated Temporary Licensure form on its website, which can be found here: https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/Pages/Accelerated-Temporary-Licensure.aspx.

BMK has been advising licensed professionals in recent weeks with to regard to myriad issues arising from the COVID-19 crisis. Should you have a question, please contact BMK partner Richard West at (973) 377-0007.