This bill amends the current law regarding the administration of examinations for professional licenses issued by the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling. It mandates that all examinations, including those required for practicing licensees, be conducted in English and provides the option to offer the examinations in the four other most commonly spoken languages in the state. The previous law only required examinations to be conducted in English, with Spanish as an option for practicing licensees, who could also use a translator if deemed necessary by the board.

Additionally, the bill requires the Division of Consumers Affairs to post on its website the four languages in which the examinations will be offered and mandates that the director of the division verify these languages at least every five years. This change aims to enhance accessibility for applicants seeking licensure in the cosmetology and hairstyling fields, ensuring that language barriers do not hinder their ability to take the required examinations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 45:5B-27