Nothing in this act shall affect the validity of any license, certificate of registration, or other authorization, heretofore issued to any person under any prior law, to practice any profession or to engage in any occupation governed or regulated by the provisions of this act or by any officer, the functions, powers and duties of whom have been herein transferred or assigned to an officer within the Department of State established hereunder; but all persons holding such licenses, certificates of registration, or other authorization shall in all other respects be subject to the provisions of this act and to the respective provisions of law governing or regulating such profession or occupation.
N.J.S. § 52:16A-21