Trenton, NJ – As New Jersey faces a significant shortage of healthcare professionals, especially in behavioral health, state lawmakers are advancing a bill that would allow out-of-state healthcare workers to practice temporarily in New Jersey.

The proposed legislation aims to provide a solution to the growing workforce crisis by granting temporary licenses valid for up to one year, allowing healthcare professionals to work while their permanent license applications are under review.

Key Provisions of the Proposed Legislation

The bill seeks to permit a wide range of licensed healthcare professionals—including psychologists, marriage and family therapists, social workers, physicians, home health aides, and alcohol and drug counselors—to work in New Jersey under a temporary license. The measure also extends to certain recent graduates from healthcare training programs, allowing them to practice while awaiting their full licensure or examination results.

If approved, the bill would help streamline the hiring process and quickly integrate qualified professionals into the state’s healthcare system, reducing long waiting periods for patients seeking care.

Addressing the Workforce Shortage

New Jersey is expected to face an estimated 64,000 job openings in social services-related fields over the next seven years, according to a labor market analysis conducted by the state’s Department of Children and Families. The behavioral health sector has been particularly hard hit, with many professionals leaving due to low salaries and insufficient benefits, which are common among government-funded organizations.

With demand for mental health and addiction treatment increasing—partially due to lingering effects from the COVID-19 pandemic—this disparity has led to delays in care. Many individuals in need of behavioral health services have been forced to turn to emergency rooms that are ill-equipped for specialized mental health treatment.

Advocacy for Increased Support

Supporters of the bill, including Assemblyman Louis Greenwald (D-Camden), argue that simplifying licensing procedures will help address staffing shortages and improve access to essential healthcare services. Greenwald emphasized that outdated bureaucratic processes are preventing qualified professionals from entering the workforce when they are needed most.

“This bill cuts bureaucratic red tape and clears the way for qualified behavioral and mental health care professionals to enter the workforce and deliver the quality of care New Jersey families and residents deserve,” Greenwald said in a statement.

Debra L. Wentz, President and CEO of the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, has also voiced strong support for the measure. She highlighted the urgent need for more professionals to provide care for individuals facing mental health challenges.

“This disparity between the acutely limited accessibility of services and the immense need for them means that many individuals throughout the state who have behavioral health disorders are not receiving the care they need,” Wentz said.

Ensuring Quality and Safety

While the legislation seeks to expedite the licensing process, it also includes safeguards to ensure only qualified professionals receive temporary authorization. Before a temporary license is issued, applicants must undergo a thorough review through the National Practitioner Data Bank, which tracks disciplinary actions, malpractice claims, and other issues related to healthcare providers.

By implementing these checks, lawmakers hope to strike a balance between addressing the workforce shortage and maintaining high standards of care.

Potential Impact and Future Outlook

If passed, this legislation could help alleviate some of the immediate pressure on New Jersey’s healthcare system. Many healthcare professionals and policymakers believe that adopting temporary licenses for out-of-state workers will lead to shorter wait times for patients and better overall healthcare access.

However, experts warn that temporary licensing alone will not resolve all workforce challenges. Many advocates continue to push for increased funding for Medicaid reimbursements and better salaries for mental health professionals to ensure long-term stability in the field.

As lawmakers continue to debate the bill, the focus remains on finding solutions to the pressing healthcare workforce shortage. With strong support from legislators and advocacy groups, the measure represents a step toward improving healthcare access in New Jersey while ensuring qualified professionals can serve communities in need. The success of this initiative could pave the way for similar efforts in other states facing similar challenges.