NJ A4199

Expert witnesses in medical or dental malpractice cases must now be licensed in New Jersey, rather than anywhere in the United States as previously required

Dentists serving as expert witnesses must meet the same specialty and board certification requirements already applicable to physicians, including certification by the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards

Expert witnesses who are specialists must be board certified in the same specialty as the defendant and have devoted a majority of their professional time to active clinical practice or teaching in that specialty during the preceding year

Courts may waive specialty and board certification requirements if a party demonstrates good faith effort to find a same-specialty expert and the proposed witness has sufficient relevant training and experience

The bill takes effect 90 days after enactment and applies to all malpractice actions filed on or after that date