NJ A918

Creates two new regulated professions in New Jersey: licensed clinical tobacco treatment specialists and certified tobacco treatment specialists, to be regulated by the Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee within the State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners.

Licensed clinical tobacco treatment specialists must hold at least a master's degree with 18 graduate semester hours in counseling, complete certified tobacco treatment specialist requirements, and pass a written examination from the Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence.

Certified tobacco treatment specialists must complete the 42-hour Rutgers Tobacco Dependence Program plus varying amounts of supervised counseling experience (1-4 years depending on educational background), along with supervised practical training.

All tobacco treatment specialists must practice under the supervision of a licensed physician, and certified specialists cannot practice independently for a fee unless supervised by a licensed clinical tobacco treatment specialist.

Establishes confidentiality protections for tobacco treatment patient records and exempts other licensed healthcare professionals from the bill's requirements if they provide tobacco counseling within their existing scope of practice.