NJ S1387

Bill

Requires calculation of national average time needed to approve applications for initial credential in profession or occupation and use of average time as standard in New Jersey.

Introduced
01/13/2026

In Committee
01/13/2026

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

The bill requires the boards created under Title 45 in current law to collect, from each state in the country, the amount of time, or the average amount of time, required or necessary to approve an application for an initial credential for each profession or occupation in which the New Jersey board also issues a credential. A board may contact a national or regional association to obtain data regarding average approval times in other states. Based on the data collected, a national average of the time required or necessary for application approval is to be calculated for each profession and occupation and used by the corresponding board in New Jersey as the amount of time it has to approve an application for an initial credential. The Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, or a designee, is to review and approve the calculated national averages of times prior to their use by the boards. After one year of using the calculated national average of times by the boards, the division is to review if the boards are meeting the requisite calculated average times for approval of applications for initial credentials. If the review demonstrates a board is not meeting the calculated time, licensing fees collected by the board are to be used to contract with a third-party, with expertise in the professions or occupations regulated by the specific board, to determine best practices that the board is to implement to meet the calculated average time for application approval. Upon completion of the review by the third-party, the board is to implement the best practices immediately. The division is to review the data on the approval of applications for initial credentials by the board six months after the implementation of best practices to ensure the calculated national average time is met. The boards have six months after the effective date of the bill to complete the initial collection of data and calculate the national average time. Additionally, an annual review of the calculated national average time is to be performed by each board, in collaboration with the director or a designee, to determine the accuracy of the calculations. The bill stipulates that each board is entitled to retain all funds collected as a result of fees paid for an initial credential and for the renewal, reactivation, and reinstatement of a credential in order to administer the provisions of this bill, until the board is meeting or surpassing its calculated national average time for application approval.

AI Summary

This bill requires professional and occupational licensing boards in New Jersey to determine the national average time it takes for other states to approve applications for initial credentials, such as licenses or certifications, in their respective fields. These boards will collect this data, potentially from national associations, and then calculate a national average for each profession or occupation. This calculated national average will then become the target timeframe for New Jersey boards to approve applications for initial credentials. The Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, or a designee, must approve these calculated averages before they are implemented. If, after a year, a board is not meeting its approved national average approval time, its collected licensing fees will be used to hire an expert third-party to identify best practices for the board to implement to improve its efficiency. After the third-party's recommendations are implemented, the Division of Consumer Affairs will review the board's progress again after six months to ensure it is meeting the target timeframe. The bill also mandates that boards have six months from its effective date to complete the initial data collection and calculation, and thereafter, an annual review of the accuracy of these national averages will be conducted. Until a board consistently meets or exceeds its calculated national average approval time, it is permitted to retain all fees collected for initial credentials and their renewals, reactivations, and reinstatements to help fund the administration of these new requirements.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (2)

Vin Gopal (D)*, Joe Lagana (D)*,

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Commerce Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S1387

(3 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S1387
BillText	https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S1500/1387_I1.HTM

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
A2361	Requires calculation of national average time needed to approve applications for initial credential in profession or occupation and use of average time as standard in New Jersey.	Introduced, Referred to Assembly Labor Committee	Carry Over
A3055	Requires calculation of national average time needed to approve applications for initial credential in profession or occupation and use of average time as standard in New Jersey.	Introduced, Referred to Assembly Labor Committee	Same As
S1480	Requires calculation of national average time needed to approve applications for initial credential in profession or occupation and use of average time as standard in New Jersey.	Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Commerce Committee	Carry Over

Bill > S1387

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Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

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