TRENTON, NJ – Governor Mikie Sherrill signed Executive Order No. 13, granting a temporary 45-day extension of New Jersey’s ongoing State of Emergency to give health care professionals more time to comply with new regulatory requirements.
The order, announced Thursday, extends the emergency period from February 16 to April 2, 2026, allowing advanced practice nurses and physician assistants to continue operating under existing waivers while finalizing new supervision agreements with physicians.
Governor Sherrill said the move prevents potential disruptions to essential health services as long-standing pandemic-era provisions phase out. “With today’s executive order, we are providing more time for advanced practice nurses and physician assistants to adjust to this new regulatory landscape,” Sherrill said. “These sudden regulatory changes could have wide-ranging impacts on health care professionals and patients alike—potentially even forcing clinics to close their doors.”
The administration warned that ending the emergency too soon could interfere with the delivery of critical, time-sensitive care, including reproductive health services, across the state. Officials said the temporary extension aims to maintain patient access while minimizing disruptions to independent practices and small clinics.
Under the order, certain statutory provisions limiting the scope of practice for advanced practice nurses (APNs) and physician assistants (PAs) will remain suspended. These waivers, originally enacted under Executive Order No. 103 by former Governor Phil Murphy, will now stay in effect through early April.
Regulatory impact and next steps
The Governor’s Office emphasized that while the emergency declaration will eventually expire, the temporary extension is intended to provide a smooth transition to long-term regulations governing collaborative practice agreements. Health officials said the order prevents “chaos” for practitioners caught between expiring emergency provisions and pending rule changes.
• The State of Emergency in New Jersey now expires on April 2, 2026
• Waivers remain in place for APNs and PAs regarding supervision requirements
• Officials say the extension protects patient access to essential medical services
Governor Sherrill’s office said the administration will continue to evaluate the regulatory impact on independent medical practices and small health businesses in the coming weeks. The Department of Health and the Board of Medical Examiners are expected to issue additional guidance to clarify next steps for compliance once the emergency ends.
For the full text of Executive Order No. 13, residents can view the document here.
