All Roll Calls
Yes: 112 • No: 3
New JerseyA4360220th Legislature (2024-2025)HouseWALLET
"New Jersey Design Professional Self-Certification Act"; requires DCA to establish design professional self-certification program.
Sponsored By: Louis D. Greenwald (Democratic), Robert J. Karabinchak (Democratic), Paul A. Sarlo (Democratic), Nicholas P. Scutari (Democratic), Anthony S. Verrelli (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
Design professionals face certification bans
Beginning December 1, 2024, design professionals face exclusion, suspension, or participation limits for specified false or unlawful submissions. They must have an opportunity for an administrative hearing. Two submissions with material errors within 12 months that lead to permit revocations can trigger discipline, as can incompetence. Professionals on probation imposed by a state licensing board cannot participate. Excluded professionals must wait at least one year to apply for reinstatement, then complete at least six months of probation and approved training. Specified serious misconduct during that probation, including materially false submissions, gross negligence, or incompetence, requires a ban of at least five years after a hearing.
Owners can check design professional sanctions
Beginning December 1, 2024, the Department of Community Affairs must maintain a searchable online database of sanctioned self-certifying professionals. Required details include the professional's name, sanction, relevant dates, project address, and whether the case involved a hearing or settlement. The posting deadline is seven business days after a sanction, but posting must wait until appeal rights expire or are exhausted. The department must provide requested details within 30 days. It must also notify the appropriate engineering or architecture licensing board, with supporting records, within 10 business days of an adverse determination or sanction, subject to the same appeal-rights restriction.
Owners must pay for construction fixes
Beginning December 1, 2024, owners using the self-certification program must confirm they authorized the listed professionals and consultants. Owners share responsibility for meeting the State Uniform Construction Code. They must also sign and provide a hold-harmless letter. Work that violates the code, other applicable laws, or the permit must be removed or changed without undue delay. The owner must pay that cost.
Construction plan audits can bring fees
Beginning December 1, 2024, the Department of Community Affairs must randomly audit professionals in the self-certification program. Audits check applications and plans for legal compliance and assess how well the program works. The department must provide audit results and a reasonable deadline to submit corrections; missing required corrections can bring sanctions. The Commissioner may charge a reasonable fee to cover audit costs, but the law sets no dollar amount. The Commissioner may also review permit agencies' project oversight.
Faster construction permits with professional safeguards
Beginning December 1, 2024, New Jersey law creates a self-certification permit program for eligible repairs, renovations, alterations, and reconstruction. Qualified architects and engineers certify that project plans meet construction codes and other laws. Permit agencies must complete a supervisory check within one to five calendar days, acknowledge required materials, and issue the permit. Maximum project areas, in square feet, are: B and M, 9,000; F-1, 8,500; F-2, 13,000; R-1, R-2, and R-4, 7,000; R-3 and R-5, 4,800; S-1, 9,000; and S-2, 13,500. Exclusions include projects reserved for state plan review, new commercial kitchens, electrical service over 400 amps, certain structural alterations or special-inspection projects, and prototype plans. State rules may expand eligibility. Professionals need required licenses and authorizations, at least three years of licensure, and liability insurance covering $500,000 per claim and $1 million total. The responsible professional must stay through project sign-off; work must stop after withdrawal until a qualified replacement is named. The Department of Community Affairs must study possible expansion and report to the Governor and Legislature within three years of the effective date.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Louis D. Greenwald
Democratic • House
Robert J. Karabinchak
Democratic • House
Paul A. Sarlo
Democratic • Senate
Nicholas P. Scutari
Democratic • Senate
Anthony S. Verrelli
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Carmen F. Amato Jr.
Republican • Senate
Atkins, Reginald W.
Affiliation unavailable
Clinton Calabrese
Democratic • House
Conaway, Herb
Affiliation unavailable
Mitchelle Drulis
Democratic • House
Dawn Fantasia
Republican • House
Roy Freiman
Democratic • House
Dan Hutchison
Democratic • House
McCann Stamato, Barbara
Affiliation unavailable
Gregory E. Myhre
Republican • House
Erik Peterson
Republican • House
Ramirez, Jessica
Affiliation unavailable
Verlina Reynolds-Jackson
Democratic • House
Alexander Schnall
Democratic • House
Parker Space
Republican • Senate
Shanique Speight
Democratic • House
Sterley S. Stanley
Democratic • House
Lisa Swain
Democratic • House
Swift, Claire S.
Affiliation unavailable
Chris Tully
Democratic • House
Benjie E. Wimberly
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 6/28/2024
3RDG FINAL PASSAGE
Yes: 74 • No: 2
Senate vote • 6/28/2024
3RDG FINAL PASSAGE
Yes: 38 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor — P.L.2024, c.58.
8/22/2024GovernorPassed Senate, PBH — (38-1)
6/28/2024SenateSubstituted for S3402 (1R)
6/28/2024SenateReceived in Senate, SWR, 2nd Reading in Senate
6/28/2024SenatePassed Assembly — (74-2-0)
6/28/2024HouseReported, 2nd Reading in Assembly
6/24/2024HouseREP/ACA, Referred to Assembly Regulated Professions Committee
6/6/2024HouseTRANS Assembly State and Local Government Committee
6/6/2024HouseIntroduced, 1st Reading in Assembly, Referred to Assembly Regulated Professions Committee
5/10/2024House
Bill Text
Version PL2024
9/30/2024
Version AL2024
9/13/2024
Assembly State and Local Government (6/6/24 1R)
7/2/2024
6/26/24; 1R
6/26/2024
Assembly Regulated Professions Substitute (6/24/24 1R)
6/25/2024
As Introduced
6/7/2024
Assembly State and Local Government Substitute (6/6/24)
6/7/2024
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