Station Licenses

To apply for a Smog Check station license, first determine whether the majority of your customers are located in Basic or Enhanced Program Areas of the state, and whether you will do business as a Test-Only or Test-and-Repair station.

Basic or Enhanced Program Area.

Areas of the state of California are designated as either Basic or Enhanced Program Areas. The Smog Check II program for vehicles registered in Basic Program Areas maintains many of the same elements as the original Smog Check program. Enhanced Program Areas are the smoggiest areas of the state that have not attained federal air quality standards; vehicles registered in these areas are therefore subject to more sophisticated testing.

See the map and the zip code listing accompanying this booklet, or call the BAR field office in your area to determine whether the majority of your customers will require Basic or Enhanced Program Area testing. (Only stations with Enhanced Program equipment can test vehicles in Enhanced Program Areas.)

Test-Only or Test-and-Repair Station.

Decide whether you will do business as a Test-Only or Test-and-Repair station, taking into consideration equipment requirements and how you can bestserve your customers.

In order to be licensed as a Smog Check station, you must also have a valid and current Automotive Repair Dealer (ARD) registration with the Department of Consumer Affairs/Bureau of Automotive Repair (DCA/BAR). To operate as a Smog Check II station, you must meet all equipment requirements in current regulations and employ at least one Smog Check technician appropriately licensed by DCA/BAR.

Technician License Types

Individuals who wish to obtain a Smog Check technician license can call the BAR at 800-952-5210 for an application (T-6, Rev. 6/96) and information regarding the licensing requirements and examination procedures. Candidates begin the process by submitting a completed application, all required documentation and a $20 application fee. Once eligibility has been determined, candidates are contacted by an Examination Services Contractor to arrange for the appropriate licensing examination. The current examination fee is $45 and is payable to the contractor upon scheduling of the exam.

There are three types of smog check technician licenses available:

1. The Advanced Emission Specialist (EA) Technician License allows an individual to inspect, diagnose, adjust, repair and certify the emissions control systems on vehicles registered in any area of the state.

2. The Basic Area (EB) Technician License allows an individual to inspect, diagnose, adjust, repair and certify the emissions control systems of vehicles registered only in Basic Program Areas of the state.

3. The Intern (EI) Technician License allows an individual, under the direction of a supervising licensed smog technician, to perform repairs or adjustments to the emissions control systems on vehicles registered in all areas of the state that have failed smog checks. The Intern Technician license is nonrenewable and expires in two years.

Technician License Requirements

Each license type has unique requirements. Both EA and EB applicants must have certification from the National Institute of Automotive Excellence (ASE) or have successfully completed Bureau-certified ASE alternative training courses.

To qualify for some licenses, candidates may be required to attend a BAR-approved Clean Air Car Course (CACC). For details on license qualifications, call 916-255-3145.

CACC is administered at community colleges and private institutions throughout the state. See the list included in this package for schools that are currently certified by BAR to offer the CACC and ASE alternative courses.