Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed Executive Order No. 13 Feb. 13, extending New Jersey’s State of Emergency for 45 days. The move gives certain health care professionals additional time to comply with new supervisory requirements as COVID-era provisions phase out.

The extension changes the expiration date from Feb. 16 to April 2, 2026. It offers a brief reprieve as leaders and trade groups in this space express concerns about the rapidly approaching deadline.

The order primarily impacts advanced practice nurses and physician assistants. Under the updated regulations, APNs and PAs are required to enter into joint protocol or delegation agreements with supervising physicians.

State officials said the abrupt end of long-standing emergency waivers could disrupt care delivery. They also note it may place added pressure on medical spas; clinics; surgery centers; and small, independent practices. The impacts could result in potential closures. Additionally, the outcomes would have particularly severe consequences for medical underserved populations and patients with serious conditions.

“With today’s executive order, we are providing more time for advanced practice nurses and physician assistants to adjust to this new regulatory landscape, delivering on our commitment to make it easier for small businesses to thrive in New Jersey,” said Sherrill. “Many health care professionals across New Jersey are bracing for impact as years-long state of emergency provisions come to an abrupt end.

“These sudden regulatory changes will have wide-ranging impacts on health care professionals and patients alike – potentially even forcing clinics and small, independent practices to close their doors, making it more difficult for New Jerseyans to access critical health care services.”

For the duration of the extension, certain statutory limits on the scope of practice for APNs and PA – along with some physician supervisory requirements – will remain temporarily suspended.

‘A critical window’

“We appreciate Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s decision to extend the emergency provisions for another 45 days because it helps New Jersey medical spas and other small, independent healthcare practices avoid immediate disruption and gives the state a critical window to get the policy right,” Adam Reinebach, CEO of the American Med Spa Association, told NJBIZ in a statement.

“We want to work alongside New Jersey med spas, physicians, advanced practice nurses, and business groups to support a durable legislative solution that keeps patients’ access to care intact without forcing practices into significant, sudden new compliance costs.”

The full EO is available here.

From NJBIZ >>