The "New Jersey Design Professional Self-Certification Act" establishes a self-certification program for qualified design professionals, such as architects and professional engineers, enabling them to ensure compliance with the State Uniform Construction Code for specific construction projects, particularly those involving repair and renovation. The program is overseen by the Commissioner of Community Affairs, who will set qualifications for participation, including current licensure and proof of professional liability insurance. Design professionals must submit a self-certification form with their construction permit applications, and the act includes provisions for oversight, allowing the Department of Community Affairs to conduct audits and impose penalties for false information or non-compliance.

The bill amends existing law to enhance oversight and accountability by granting the commissioner authority to adopt rules for limiting self-certification privileges or sanctioning professionals who submit materially false information or exhibit gross negligence. It mandates the creation of a searchable database on the department's website to publicly list qualified design professionals who have faced sanctions, along with details about the nature of those sanctions. Additionally, the department is required to notify relevant professional boards of any adverse determinations or sanctions within ten business days, and such notifications will only occur after the professionals' rights to appeal have been exhausted. The commissioner is also tasked with studying potential construction activities for inclusion in the self-certification program and reporting findings to the Governor and Legislature within three years.