The state Division of Consumer Affairs maintains 51 professional and occupational boards and committees that regulate more than 720,000 individuals and businesses in New Jersey, but long delays in processing license applications are hurting the business community.
NJBIA Vice President Althea D. Ford recently testified before the Assembly Regulated Professions Committee on the growing frustrations the business community has with obtaining licenses needed to work and conduct business. These delays are most troublesome for industries with significant workforce shortages such as healthcare and social work.
“Since 2022, NJBIA and a coalition of groups representing the licensed community have engaged with the Division and communicated the systemic challenges professionals face when dealing with the Division,” Ford said in her written testimony.
“Of particular concern are the continued delays in processing licenses and adjudicating complaints, the lack of training and familiarity of board staff with the professions they support, and the dismal experience with outdated or inefficient IT systems,” Ford said.
“These pain points do not reflect well on a Division that sees significant revenue through the payment of professional licensure fees,” she said. “These realities also play a significant role in the ability of job creators to fill critical positions, as prospective licensees who cannot obtain their licenses in an appropriate timeframe turn to other employment opportunities.”
Ford said NJBIA was encouraged that the committee’s hearing was focusing on the operations of the professional boards with the Division and that lawmakers were listening to the concerns that NJBIA and other stakeholders representing the licensed community have raised.
“It is important to obtain the Division’s perspective on this very real and palpable issue for the licensed community. Additionally, we hope that the Division can share its analysis of board operations and metrics, and the strategies that are employed to address delays in license processing and complaint adjudication,” Ford said.
“To our knowledge, this information is currently not shared with stakeholders, including the Legislature, and could inform next steps on how to resolve the concerns raised by the licensed community.”
