iCERT for Employer-sponsored PERMs

DOL is going to be managing the Labor Certification Application (LCA) and PERM systems through the same web portal, which they call "iCERT." The LCA portion of iCERT will be available April 15, 2009 and there will be a 30-day transition before iCERT becomes the exclusive means for obtaining an LCA online as of May 15, 2009.

There are two significant changes.

First: Only employers will be able to register for the iCERT system, much like the current PERM system. After a "proof of existence" check, the employer will be able to authorize others to complete LCAs on the employer's behalf.

Second: DOL is warning that the certification process will no longer be "instantaneous" as it is now - the regulations give them up to 7 days to certify an LCA, and they expect to use those 7 days.

The DOL has released a DOL iCERT Handout Click HERE to view.