45:9-21 Certain persons and practices excepted from operation of chapter.

45:9-21. The prohibitory provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the following:

a. A commissioned surgeon or physician of the regular United States Army, Navy, or Marine hospital service while so commissioned and actively engaged in the performance of his official duties. This exemption shall not apply to reserve officers of the United States Army, Navy or Marine Corps, or to any officer of the National Guard of any state or of the United States;

b. A lawfully qualified physician or surgeon of another state taking charge temporarily, on written permission of the board, of the practice of a lawfully qualified physician or surgeon of this State during his absence from the State, upon written request to the board for permission so to do. Before such permission is granted by the board and before any person may enter upon such practice he must submit proof that he can fulfill the requirements demanded in the other sections of this article relating to applicants for admission by examination or indorsement from another state. Such permission may be granted for a period of not less than two weeks nor more than four months upon payment of a fee of $50. The board in its discretion may extend such permission for further periods of two weeks to four months but not to exceed in the aggregate one year;

c. A physician or surgeon of another state of the United States and duly authorized under the laws thereof to practice medicine or surgery therein, if such practitioner does not open an office or place for the practice of his profession in this State;

d. A person while actually serving as a member of the resident medical staff of any legally incorporated charitable or municipal hospital or asylum approved by the board. Hereafter such exemption of any such resident physician shall not apply with respect to any individual after he shall have served as a resident physician for a total period of five years;

e. The practice of dentistry by any legally qualified and registered dentist;

f. The ministration to, or treatment of, the sick or suffering by prayer or spiritual means, whether gratuitously or for compensation, and without the use of any drug material remedy;

g. The practice of optometry by any legally qualified and registered optometrist;

h. The practice of podiatric medicine by any legally licensed podiatrist;

i. The practice of pharmacy by a legally licensed and registered pharmacist of this State, but this exception shall not be extended to give to said licensed pharmacist the right and authority to carry on the business of a dispensary, unless the dispensary shall be in charge of a legally licensed and registered physician and surgeon of this State;

j. A person claiming the right to practice medicine and surgery in this State who has been practicing therein since before July 4, 1890, if said right or title was obtained upon a duly registered diploma, of which the holder and applicant was the lawful possessor, issued by a legally chartered medical institution which, in the opinion of the board, was in good standing at the time the diploma was issued;

k. A professional nurse, or a registered physical therapist, masseur, while operating in each particular case under the specific direction of a regularly licensed physician or surgeon. This exemption shall not apply to such assistants of persons who are licensed as osteopaths, chiropractors, optometrists or other practitioners holding limited licenses;

l. A person while giving aid, assistance or relief in emergency or accident cases pending the arrival of a regularly licensed physician, or surgeon or under the direction thereof;

m. The operation of a bio-analytical laboratory by a licensed bio-analytical laboratory director, or any person working under the direct and constant supervision of a licensed bio-analytical laboratory director;

n. Any employee of a State or county institution holding the degree of M.D. or D.O., regularly employed on a salary basis on its medical staff or as a member of the teaching or scientific staff of a State agency, may apply to the State Board of Medical Examiners of New Jersey and may, in the discretion of said board, be granted exemption from the provisions of this chapter; provided said employee continues as a member of the medical staff of a State agency or county institution or of the teaching or scientific staff of a State agency and does not conduct any type of private medical practice;

o. The practice of chiropractic by any legally licensed chiropractor; or

p. The practice of a physician assistant in compliance with the provisions of P.L.1991, c.378 (C.45:9-27.10 et al.).

Amended 1939, c.115, s.28; 1943, c.74; 1944, c.167; 1953, c.420, s.28; 1963, c.30; 1963, c.169, s.1; 1967, c.286, s.15; 1969, c.223; 1973, c.166, s.4; 1989, c.153, s.20; 1991, c.378, s.20; 2005, c.259, s.16.