N.J. Admin. Code § 13:37A-2.2 - Licensure by reciprocity

(a) Upon receipt of a completed application, application fee, consent to a criminal history record background check, and requisite fee for such a check, the Board shall issue a license to any person who holds a valid, current license in good standing issued by another state, if:

1. The Board determines that the state that issued the license has, or had at the time of issuance, education, training, and examination requirements for licensure substantially equivalent to the current Board standards;

2. The applicant has been practicing massage and bodywork therapy for a period of at least three years within the five years prior to the date of application; and

3. The requirements of (b) below are satisfied.

(b) Prior to the issuance of the license, the Board shall have received:

1. Documentation from any state in which the applicant is, or was ever, licensed or certified that the applicant's license(s) is in good standing;

2. The results of a criminal history record background check of the files of the Criminal Justice Information Services Division in the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the State Bureau of Identification in the Division of State Police that does not disclose a conviction for a disqualifying crime;

3. Designation of an agent in New Jersey for service of process if tine applicant is not a New Jersey resident or does not have an office in New Jersey; and

4. Proof of coverage by a professional liability insurance policy in a minimum amount of $ 1,000,000 per occurrence and $ 3,000,000 aggregate per policy year.

(c) For purposes of this section, "good standing" means that:

1. No action has been taken against the applicant's license by any licensing board;

2. No action adversely affecting the applicant's privileges to practice massage and bodywork therapy has been taken by any out-of-State institution, organization, or employer;

3. No disciplinary proceeding is pending that could affect the applicant's privileges to practice massage and bodywork therapy;

4. All fines levied by any out-of-State board have been paid; and

5. There is no pending or final action by any criminal authority for violation of law, rule, or regulation, or any arrest or conviction for any criminal or quasi-criminal offense under the laws of the United States, New Jersey, or any other state, including: criminal homicide; aggravated assault; sexual assault, criminal sexual contact, or lewdness; or any offense involving any controlled dangerous substance or controlled dangerous substance analog.

(d) For purposes of this section, a "substantially equivalent" examination need not be identical to the current examination requirements of New Jersey, but such examination shall be nationally recognized and of comparable scope and rigor.

(e) The Board, after the licensee has been given notice and an opportunity to be heard, may revoke any license based on a license issued by another state obtained through fraud, deception, or misrepresentation.

(f) The Board may grant a license to an applicant seeking reciprocity who does not meet the good standing requirement of (a) above due to a pending action by a licensing board, a pending action by an out-of-State institution, organization, or employer affecting the applicant's privileges to practice, a pending disciplinary proceeding, or a pending criminal charge or arrest for a crime provided the alleged conduct of the applicant that is the subject of the action, proceeding, charge, or arrest does not demonstrate a serious inability to practice massage and bodywork therapy, adversely affect the public health, safety, or welfare, or result in economic or physical harm to a person, or create a significant threat of such harm.

Notes

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:37A-2.2

Amended by 49 N.J.R. 450(b), effective 3/6/2017 Adopted by 51 N.J.R. 1688(a), effective 11/18/2019 Amended by 56 N.J.R. 2090(a), effective 10/21/2024