The Division of Consumer Affairs houses 51 professional boards that oversee 720,000 professionals and a Regulated Business Unit that registers 60,000 businesses. Licenses and registrations have staggered renewal dates and some have been extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Providing Personal Care Services: Cosmetology and Massage and Bodywork Therapy Services (Updated)

On Friday, June 4, 2021, Governor Murphy issued Executive Order 244, terminating the public health emergency declared in Executive Order 103, and signed into law P.L. 2021, c.103, allowing for the modification and continuance of certain administrative orders, until January 11, 2022.

In response to Executive Order 244 and P.L. 2021, c.103, the Division of Consumer Affairs has issued Administrative Order 2021-17, which supersedes and replaces DCA AO 2021-13, and modifies the requirements for personal care services provided by licensees of the Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling and the Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy. DCA AO 2021-17 removes a majority of the restrictions established by DCA AO 2021-13, including the requirements for staff screening. The Administrative Order continues to allow cosmetology services to be performed outdoors in the immediate vicinity of a shop’s premises. 

All licensees and owners of premises subject to regulation by the Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling or the Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy must continue to practice in accordance with the laws and regulations of their respective boards, unless specifically waived or modified during the state of emergency.

Additionally, due to the rescission of Office of Emergency Management Administrative Order 2020-10, licensees of the Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy are no longer prohibited from providing services in their own homes or the homes of others, including clients.

Licensees should review the Order closely for more information on the requirements for the provision of personal care services. The Division has also issued guidance that may be helpful to licensees and premises owners. Please contact the New Jersey Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling and the New Jersey Board of Massage and Body Work Therapy if you have any questions about the Administrative Order.

Health and Safety Standards for Licensed Cosmetology and Hairstyling Programs

On Friday, June 4, 2021, Governor Murphy issued Executive Order 244, terminating the public health emergency declared in Executive Order 103, and signed into law P.L. 2021, c.103, allowing for the modification and continuance of certain administrative orders, until January 11, 2022.

In response to Executive Order 244 and P.L. 2021, c.103, the Division of Consumer Affairs issued Administrative Order 2021-16, which supersedes and replaces DCA AO 2020-17 and relaxes standards for the reopening and continued operation of cosmetology and hairstyling programs.

Though the Administrative Order eliminates many requirements, all programs involving clinical instruction must comply with any standards applicable to the provision of services in a licensed shop pursuant to Executive Order 242 and any subsequent health and safety order.

The Division has also issued guidance regarding best practices for these programs. To learn more, click here.

Cosmetology Temporary Teacher Permit

On May 6, 2021, the Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs issued Administrative Order 2021-10 and Waiver 2021-06, which allows the Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling to issue temporary permits to applicants for licensure as teachers of cosmetology and hairstyling. To be eligible for a teacher temporary permit under this Order, an applicant must:

• Meet all other requirements for licensure; and
• Have passed the written examination within the past two years.
  

Applicants who have previously taken and failed the practical examination are not eligible for a temporary permit.

The application to apply for a teacher temporary permit can be found here.

Applicants should review the Order closely for more detail on how to obtain a teacher temporary permit and the conditions under which they can practice as teachers.

To learn more, click here.

Licensure of Temporary Permit Holders and Vocational-Technical Schools 

On February 5, 2021, the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs issued Administrative Order 2021-05 and Waiver 2021-01, which allows temporary permit holders and graduates of vocational-technical schools to obtain licenses from the Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling without having passed the practical examination, based on an attestation provided by a supervisor or Vo-Tech instructor; allows applicants to obtain a second temporary permit; and waives the temporary permit fee.  

To learn more, click here.  

Forms for the attestation requires by this Order can be found below (in alphabetical order by license):

• Barber Attestation 
  

• Beautician Attestation 
  

• Cosmetologist-Hairstylist Attestation 
  

• Hair Braiding Specialist Attestation 
  

• Manicurist Attestation 
  

• Skin Care Specialist Attestation 
  

PPE Access Program

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) recently launched the NJ Small and Micro Business PPE Access Program. The Program was developed in response to concerns emerging from the Governor's Restart and Recovery Commission, the nine sector-based committees of the Governor's Restart and Recovery Advisory Council, and input from numerous small businesses indicating the need for readily available, fairly priced personal protective equipment (PPE). 

Program details may be found in the NJEDA press release.

Updated Mortuary Science and Cemetery Board Guidance

On April 22nd the Commissioner of the Department of Health, Judith Persichilli, signed Executive Directive 20-010 affecting the handling, memorialization and disposition of human remains during the COVID-19 emergency.

Please find revised joint guidance from the Mortuary Science and Cemetery Boards to licensees of both Boards regarding the Directive and other applicable regulatory changes.

Extensions of CPA Examination Credit Window and Continuing Professional Education Deadline

The Division has issued a Rule Waiver (DCA-W-2020-17) temporarily extending until December 31, 2020, the expiration of certain exam credits for the multi-part Certified Public Account Exam (CPA Exam). Additionally, DCA-W-2020-17 extends until June 30, 2021, the deadline for licensees to complete continuing professional education (CPE). 

The Division takes this action today due to the COVID-19 pandemic and difficulties CPA Exam candidates have faced – and continue to face – in sitting for the multi-part CPA Exam within the required 18-month window, and the challenges licensees have experienced obtaining CPE credits.  Under the order, candidates' exam credits that expire between March 9, 2020, and December 30, 2020, will be extended to the new December 31, 2020 deadline.  Additionally, the order extends – from December 31, 2020, to June 30, 2021 – the deadline by which Board-licensed certified public accountants and public accountants must complete 120 CPE credits. This order takes effect immediately. 

Cosmetology Temporary Permits

On September 1, 2020 the Division of Consumer Affairs issued Administrative Order 2020-16 and Waiver 2020-15, reinstating and extending the validity of temporary permits issued by the Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling that expired on or after March 9, 2020, by one year beyond the original date of expiration. The Order and Waiver also extend the validity of temporary permits that are set to expire on or after September 1, 2020 by one year beyond the original expiration date.

Extensions & Electronic Renewals

The Division is providing 60-day extensions for Home Improvement Contractors, Home Elevation Contractors and Vehicle Protection Product Warrantors renewals.

Applications for Temporary Help Service Firm and Health Care Service Firm registrations are being expedited to facilitate placement of healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 crisis.

Professionals and registered businesses are encouraged to email the relevant department with any questions.

Mortuary Science and Cemetery Board Guidance and Operational Survey

On April 22nd the Commissioner of the Department of Health, Judith Persichilli, signed Executive Order 20-010 affecting the handling, memorialization and disposition of human remains during the COVID-19 emergency. Please find the joint guidance from the Mortuary Science and Cemetery Boards to licensees of both Boards regarding the Directive and other applicable regulatory changes.
 
Importantly, the Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) is requiring that cemeteries, mortuaries and crematories complete a brief online survey of their operational experience each week.
 
•    The Mortuary Science survey can be found here.
•    The Cemetery and Crematory survey can be found here.
 
In addition, links to the surveys will be on each Board's website as well as in the attached guidance. Your compliance is required to enable the State to better address the issues you are all experiencing.  Survey responses must be completed by noon every Monday until further notice.
 
Please contact Quin Archer, Executive Director for both Boards, at ArcherQ@dca.njoag.gov if you have any questions.

Funeral Services Signature Requirement Waiver

The Division has temporarily waived the requirement that signature's on prepaid funeral agreements be in hard copy; electronic signatures are now acceptable.

In-Person Continuing Education Waiver

An emergency waiver has temporarily lifted rules for 16 professional boards requiring continuing education to be completed in person. Boards not listed here do not have in-person CE requirements.

In-Person Requirement for Healthcare Service Firms

The Division has temporarily waived the requirement that plan-of-care evaluations by nursing supervisors be completed in patients' homes.

Office of Weights and Measures Fuel Standards Waiver

A temporary waiver allows the sale of winter-blend fuel until at least May 20, 2020.

Licensed Public Mover Inspection Waiver

A temporary waiver allows inspections that must performed when providing estimates to be conducted electronically rather than in person.

Orders and Waivers of Rules

Click here for a complete list.

Bureau of Securities (BOS) Measures to Protect Professionals and Investors

The Bureau responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by temporarily exempting displaced broker-dealers, investment advisers, and their registered agents or representatives from certain registration and filing requirements of the New Jersey Uniform Securities Law.

The Emergency Order allows New Jersey residents who work and are registered as financial professionals in other states - but not in this state - to temporarily conduct activities with, or on behalf of, existing customers or clients from their homes or temporary offices in New Jersey. The Emergency Order also allows out-of-state financial professionals and firms who are displaced to temporarily conduct business with existing clients from New Jersey.

Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission (LGCCC) Updates

Nonprofit organizations that cancel a bingo or raffle event will receive a credit for the license fee. The LGCCC will waive the late fee for any nonprofit organization that files a late renewal registration.