Legislation sponsored by Senator Jean Stanfield that would ease the burden of returning to work in license professions for the spouses of military personnel assigned to New Jersey was advanced today by the Senate Commerce Committee.

Sen. Jean Stanfield’s bill that would make it easier for the spouses of military personnel assigned to NJ to return to work in their licensed professions and help fill the shortage of nurses and teachers was advanced by the Senate Commerce Committee. (Pixabay)

“Nurses and teachers who come here with certification from other states to accompany their military spouses will be able to return to the work they love with less stress and aggravation,” said Stanfield (R-8). “The well-documented staffing shortages of nurses and teachers make this legislation a priority.

“Considering the sacrifices made by military families, these courtesies are hard earned and well deserved.”

The bill (S-1104) would extend the duration of courtesy certifications and require licensing/certification boards – including the State Board of Examiners, the New Jersey Board of Nursing, and others – to establish an expedited licensing process for the issuance of temporary courtesy licenses.

“This sensible bill would allow increased flexibility for licensing boards in the state to allow qualified individuals to continue to practice their professions as long as their military-serving spouses are stationed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst or other New Jersey military sites,” said Stanfield.

Stanfield’s bill extends the life of nursing courtesy certificates for the life of the license providing the military spouse resides in the state and complies with continuing education requirements and other stipulations.

Under the bill, teaching certificates would extend the initial period for an additional four years, from 180 days.

With respect to all other licensed professionals, ranging from landscape architects to hairdressers, which now have a renewable one-year term, the bill permits the extension of the courtesy license indefinitely provided all related responsibilities are met.