N.J.A.C. 11:5-12.5 — Waiver of continuing education requirements

(a) A licensee who is unable to fulfill the continuing education requirements imposed pursuant to N.J.S.A. 45:15-16.2a and this subchapter may request a waiver of the requirement by the Commission, in whole or part. (b) A licensee requesting a waiver of the continuing education requirement shall certify that they were unable to fulfill the continuing education due to: 1. An incapacitating illness; 2. Active duty service in the armed forces of the United States for one year or more of the license term; 3. Emergency; or 4. Other substantial and unavoidable hardship, which shall not include financial hardship, unreasonable delay, and conflicts with business or personal obligations. (c) A licensee requesting a waiver shall make their request, in writing, on a form prescribed by the Commission, which may be available online at www.state.nj.us/dobi/division_rec/index.htm and provide documentation that corroborates their certification. (d) With the exception of requests based on an emergency, requests for a waiver shall be filed with the Commission on or before March 15 of the second year of a license term. Requests for a waiver based on an emergency shall be filed within a reasonable time given the circumstances. (e) The Commission may seek additional information regarding the basis of a waiver request pursuant to this section, including, but not limited to, sworn statements or testimony of the licensee. (f) With the exception of a waiver granted to active duty military personnel, licensees who receive a waiver of any portion of the core topics requirement shall make up the waived core course(s), in addition to fulfilling the continuing education requirement for the current license term, as a condition of renewal in the term immediately following the term for which the waiver was issued. (For example, if a licensee receives a waiver of six core credits in the first licensing term, then the licensee must complete those six previously waived core credits in addition to 12 credits in approved courses, for a total of 18 credits, to be eligible for renewal upon the conclusion of the next license term.) (g) Licensees who receive a waiver of the elective course requirement shall not be required to make up the waived course(s).