N.J. Stat. § 52:27D-126.2
Notwithstanding the provisions of the "State Uniform Construction Code Act," P.L. 1975, c. 217 (C. 52:27D-119 et seq.), or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto to the contrary, on or after January 1, 1981, no person who received an appointment as a construction official or a subcode official prior to October 1, 1978, shall hold or perform the duties of an office for which a license is required under that act, or represent himself as qualified for that position, use a title denoting that he is so licensed or otherwise represent himself as licensed or authorized to act under the code, unless that person possesses the appropriate license; except that a subcode official or municipal engineer appointed prior to October 1, 1978, and acting as a construction official on January 1, 1981, or a municipal official appointed prior to October 1, 1978, and acting as a subcode official on January 1, 1981, may continue to act as a construction official or a subcode official, respectively, until March 1, 1981, without licensing by the commissioner.
N.J.S. § 52:27D-126.2