The CAP consists of seven members that determine the overall effectiveness of the SBAP. Four of these members are owners or representatives of small businesses and are selected by the state legislature. The governor selects two other members to represent the "general public." The seventh member represents the Commissioner of NJDEP.

The CAP reviews and renders advisory opinions on the effectiveness of the SBAP, and makes periodic progress reports to EPA’s Small Business Ombudsman concerning compliance of the small business program with other pertinent federal regulations. The compliance advisory panel must also make certain that information affecting small business is written in a style that is clear and understandable.