N.J. Admin. Code § 13:45A-17.9

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 17, September 3, 2024

Section 13:45A-17.9 - Refusal to issue; suspension or revocation of registration; hearing; other sanctions

(a) The Director may refuse to issue or renew, or may suspend or revoke any registration issued by the Division upon proof that an applicant or registrant or any of its officers, directors, principals, or persons with an ownership interest of 10 percent or more in the home improvement contractor business:

1. Has obtained any registration, certification or license by fraud, deception or misrepresentation;

2. Has engaged in the use or employment of dishonesty, fraud, deception, misrepresentation, false promise or false pretense;

3. Has engaged in gross negligence, gross malpractice or gross incompetence;

4. Has engaged in repeated acts of negligence, malpractice or incompetence involving selling or making a home improvement;

5. Has engaged in professional or occupational misconduct;

6. Has been adjudged liable in an administrative or civil action involving any finding or admission which would provide a basis for discipline pursuant to (a)1 through 5 above regardless of whether that finding was made in the context of an injunction, a proceeding resulting in the denial, suspension or revocation of a license, certification or registration, consented to in an assurance of voluntary compliance or any similar order or legal agreement with any State or Federal agency;

7. Has been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude or any crime relating adversely to selling or making home improvements. For the purpose of this paragraph, a plea of guilty, non vult, nolo contendere or any other such disposition of alleged criminal activity shall be deemed a conviction;

8. Has had his or her authority to engage in the activity regulated by the Director revoked or suspended by any other state, agency or authority for reasons consistent with this section;

9. Has failed to comply with the badge requirements set forth in N.J.A.C. 13:45A-17.5A. It shall be an affirmative defense to a charge of failing to return a badge to the State-authorized vendor that the entity used its best efforts to collect and surrender the badge;

10. Has violated or failed to comply with 56:8-136 et seq. or any provision of this subchapter or the provisions of any act, regulation or order administered or issued by the Director; or

11. Is unable to meet the requirements of the Contractors' Registration Act, 56:8-136 et seq., or rule in this subchapter for medical or any other good cause to the detriment of the public's health, safety and welfare.

(b) Information contained in the application required pursuant to 13:45A-17.5 and information contained in the disclosure statement required to be filed pursuant to 13:45A-17.6 may be used by the Director as grounds for denying, suspending or revoking a registration. An applicant whose registration is denied or a home improvement contractor whose registration is suspended or revoked based upon information contained in the application or disclosure statement or any amendments thereto shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, 52:14B-1 et seq., and the Uniform Administrative Procedure Rules, N.J.A.C. 1:1, upon written request to the Director within 30 days of the notice of denial, suspension or revocation which shall contain the basis for such action. In any matter in which the provisions of the Rehabilitated Convicted Offenders Act, 2A:168A-1 et seq., apply, the Director shall comply with the requirements of that Act.

(c) Except as provided in (b) above, prior to refusing to issue or renew or suspending or revoking a home improvement contractor registration or assessing a penalty or other sanction, the Director shall notify the applicant or registrant and provide an opportunity to be heard.

(d) In addition to assessing a monetary penalty for any violation of this subchapter, the Director may revoke a registration or suspend the registration for a period of time dependent upon the seriousness of the violation.

(e) Nothing contained in this subchapter shall limit the Director from imposing any additional fees, fines, penalties, restitution or any other sanctions as permitted under the Consumer Fraud Act, 56:8-1 et seq.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:45A-17.9

Amended by 48 N.J.R. 2824(a), effective 12/19/2016