Smog Check Inspector

Qualifications and Duties of a Smog Check Inspector

Inspector Duties

A Smog Check Inspector inspects and certifies vehicles requiring Smog Check inspection. A Smog Check Inspector may not perform diagnosis and/or repair to correct Smog Check failures. All official Smog Check inspections must be completed by a licensed Inspector in a licensed Test-Only or Test-and-Repair station.

Qualifications

To become licensed as a Smog Check Inspector, an individual must pass a state administered examination. Examination applicants first must successfully complete Level 1 and Level 2 training, as applicable.

Training

Level 1 Training - Engine and Emission Controls Fundamentals

Level 1 Training is required for Inspector candidates with little or no experience. This training provides students with the knowledge of engine and emission control systems necessary to conduct accurate smog inspections. Successful completion includes the ability to demonstrate minimum levels of competency related to engine and emission control systems. The training is a minimum of 68 hours and must be completed at a BAR-certified school.

Experienced candidates may skip Level 1 training if they meet any of the following requirements

Possess an ASE A6, A8, and L1 certifications.
AA/AS degree in automotive technology AND 1 year experience in the engine performance area.
Certificate in automotive technology with a minimum of 720 hours of course work that includes a minimum of 280 hours in the engine performance area AND 1 year experience in the engine performance area.
2 years experience in the engine performance area AND completion of BAR Specified Diagnostic and Repair Training within the past 5 years.
2 years of comparable military experience/training in the engine performance area

Level 2 Training - Smog Check Procedures

Level 2 Training must be completed by all Inspector license applicants. This training covers the program rules, regulations, and procedures. Successful completion includes the ability to demonstrate the minimum levels of competency related to vehicle inspections. The training is a minimum of 28 hours and must be completed at a BAR-certified school.

License Renewal

Applicants for license renewal must meet the following Update Training requirements:

Update Training – Applicants for license renewal must provide proof that they have successfully completed 4 hours of BAR-certified update training within the last two years.

Class Descriptions

For Smog Check INSPECTOR Licenses: Level 1 & Level 2 REQUIRED

Level 1 Smog Check Inspector Training:
Engine and Emission Control Training

The engine and emission control training is intended to provide students with fundamental knowledge of engine and emission control theory, design and operation.

▪ Personal, shop, equipment, environmental, and vehicle safety practices
▪ Engine theory, design and operation
▪ Identification of engine systems, parts and components
▪ Emission control system theory, design and operation
▪ Identification of emission control systems, parts and components
▪ On Board Diagnostics (OBD II) systems
▪ Ignition timing inspection
▪ Exhaust gas recirculation systems

Students who successfully complete this training will have met the first step of the Bureau of Automotive Repair’s training requirements for inexperienced or minimally experienced candidates for the smog inspector license.

Training Prerequisite: None

Candidates for the Smog Check Inspector license who do not meet BAR specified requirements* must complete this training before proceeding to Level 2 Smog Check Training. Candidates who meet the BAR specified requirements* are not required to complete this training.

*BAR specified requirements: Experienced candidates may skip Level 1 training if they: Possess ASE A6, A8 and L1 certification; or possess an AA/AS degree or Certificate in automotive technology and have 1 year experience; or have 2 years experience and have completed BAR specified diagnostic and repair training.

Level 2: Smog Check Inspector Training: Inspection Procedures is required to fulfill eligibility to take the BAR State Exam.

Hours: 68

Level 2 Smog Check Inspector Training: Inspection Procedures

The Smog Check Procedures Training must be completed by all Inspector candidates. This training provides students the procedural knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform Smog Check inspections. Students who complete and pass this training will have met the Bureau’s training requirements to qualify to take the Smog Check Inspector state licensing examination.

This training is 30 hours and must be completed at a BAR-certified school. To pass Level 2 training, a student must successfully complete a series of hands-on assessments and pass a written examination.

Upon successful completion of this training, students shall, at a minimum, be able to:

Describe and demonstrate personal, shop, equipment, and vehicle safety practices.
Describe the laws, regulations, and procedures associated with consumer authorization of inspections and the overall administration of the Smog Check Program.
Describe the standards of practice expected of Smog Check Inspectors.
Demonstrate ability to calibrate an emission inspection system.
Demonstrate their knowledge, skills and abilities in performing Smog Check emission tests on various vehicle designs.
Demonstrate their knowledge, skills and abilities in performing Smog Check visual inspections on various vehicle designs.
Describe and demonstrate they have the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform smog check functional tests on various vehicle designs.

BAR Citation Training

This training class will provide remedial training to licensed Smog Check Inspectors who have received a citation by the bureau and mandated to complete corrective training.

This training is a minimum of 8 hours, which may include a 4 hour on-line component. However, actual training hours could vary depending on the conditions of the citation issued by the bureau.

As applicable, the training includes a quiz to confirm the on-line training component, a review of the official inspection procedures, hands-on assessments using vehicles with emission control defects or tampers, and a final written exam.

Upon completion, technicians will be emailed a certificate. The certificate must be sent in to the BAR by the technician.

For INSPECTOR License Renewal:

Inspector License Renewal Update Training

Smog Check Inspectors are required to complete 4 hours of BAR license update training every two years for license renewal.

Smog Check Repair Technicians are required to complete 16 hours of automotive technology update training every two years for license renewal. 4 hours of which can be the online inspector update training that is required to renew the inspector license and is located on BARs website at: https://www.bar.ca.gov/Industry/Individual_Licenses

Class Schedule & Inscriptions

Class Name: