On August 22, 2024, Acting Governor Nicholas Scutari signed the New Jersey Design Professional Self-Certification Act, requiring the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to establish a design professional-self certification program.

The design professional-self certification program enables New Jersey architects and engineers who have been certified as qualified design professionals by the DCA to self-certify that a permit application and a project's plans and specifications comply with the State Uniform Construction Code (UCC) and other applicable laws. Under the Act, the qualified design professional will oversee and be responsible for the construction project's compliance with the UCC.

Key Points

1. The New Jersey Professional Self-Certification Act will be effective on December 1, 2024. NJSA 52:27D-131.2.
2. The DCA Commissioner will establish requirements to be a qualifying design professional for this program. These requirements may include a license as a design professional, a license by the department to inspect high-rise and hazardous structures, authorization granted by the department and proof of professional liability insurance. NJSA 52:27D-131.4(f).
3. DCA will have a design professional of record self-certification form that will be available through the department's website. NJSA 52:27D-131.5(a).
4. The application process requires the self-certification form to be completed along with a self-certified construction permit application and accompanying plans and specifications. The design professional will include a statement with the form attesting to the accuracy of the permit application and its compliance with state codes and laws. NJSA 52:27D-131.5.
5. Within one to five calendar days days following receipt of a self-certified construction permit application and accompanying plans and specifications, the enforcing agency will conduct a supervisory check of the application materials to ascertain receipt of all materials necessary to support issuance of the construction permit and, upon acknowledgement of receipt of those materials, issue a construction permit. NJSA 52:27D-131.4(e).
6. Under the program, the qualified design professional of record is required to remain with the project until the enforcing agency signs off on the project through the issuance of a letter of completion or certificate of approval. NJSA 52:27D-131.4(g).

This new law is expected to play a significant role in accommodating the demand for commercial and residential development throughout the state by improving the construction permit process by enabling certified design professionals to self-certify their plans, streamline approvals and reduce delays for projects.

Disclaimer: This Blog Post provides a brief summary of the New Jersey Design Professional Self-Certification Act and is not intended to serve as legal advice, nor does this constitute an acceptance of representation by our firm.