The New Jersey Senate and Assembly approved a bill (A-3666) that requires construction businesses to certify participation in a U.S. Department of Labor-approved apprenticeship program in order to obtain or renew a public works contractor registration certificate. The DOL-approved program requirements apply to every classification of worker employed on a public works jobsite.

New Jersey businesses that don’t want to set up an in-house program can satisfy these mandates by participating in a trade association’s DOL-registered apprenticeship program.

Nothing in the legislation suggests contractors will be precluded from performing prevailing wage work while their current registration is in effect. Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed the measure into law at the end of January.