New Background Check Requirements for Health Professionals in New Jersey

Signed into law on September 12, 2024, New Jersey enacted a new background check bill that mandates criminal history background checks for a broader range of healthcare professionals seeking licensure in the state. The law expands a previous law enacted to enforce background checks for healthcare professionals. New Jersey has expanded the law to enhance patient safety, ensuring that individuals with certain criminal histories are not licensed to practice in these fields.  

Below is an overview of the timeline of events leading up to the approval of New Jersey’s new healthcare regulations: 

• January 25, 2024: Introduced in the Senate, referred to Senate Commerce Committee 

• June 10, 2024: Reported from Senate Committee, 2nd Reading 

• June 26, 2024: Recommitted to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, reported with amendments 

• June 28, 2024: Passed by the Senate (40-0), received in the Assembly, substituted for A1128, passed Assembly (73-0-0) 

• September 12, 2024: Approved and signed into law 

Who does the amendment apply to?

Effective immediately, the new law expands the background check requirement to include several categories of healthcare professionals who were previously exempt. Specifically, the bill impacts: 

• Applied Behavior Analysts 

• Art Therapists 

• Dieticians and Nutritionists 

Under the expanded definitions and regulations, professionals in these fields are required to undergo a criminal history record background check as part of their licensure or renewal process. This check will be conducted through the New Jersey State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). 

Compliance with the new background check requirement is essential for practitioners in the affected fields. Failure to pass the background check or refusal to consent to screening can potentially result in: 

• Denial of a professional license 

• Suspension of a professional license 

• Revocation of a professional license 

To read the full text of the law, take a closer look here.

Healthcare regulations across the U.S.

As with many other legal regulations and trends, the expanded regulations for background checks in the healthcare industry are not isolated to New Jersey. In April 2024, Florida also expanded regulations impacting a wide range of healthcare professions and facilities that will go into effect starting July 1, 2025. Additionally, Iowa has started cracking down on healthcare facilities that are not in compliance earlier this year. 

Employers operating in multiple states should stay ahead of laws expanding healthcare regulations and patient safety to ensure compliance with relevant and upcoming laws. As legal requirements in healthcare evolve, it is critical to stay prepared with the help of your legal counsel. Verified Credentials will attempt to monitor and provide updates on the situation and other healthcare screening requirements as they evolve.  

In need of background checks to meet healthcare-specific regulations? Contact us.

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