ARTICLE 3. Quality Assurance [44030. - 44045.6.]

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC 3.

in effect

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 44030. Section 44030.

(a) The department shall develop standards for the licensing of smog check stations. Tests, service, and adjustment at smog check stations shall be performed by a qualified smog check mechanic. (b) The licensing standards for smog check stations may include, but are not limited to, requirements for all of the following: (1) Use of computerized and tamper-resistant testing equipment, including, but not limited to, test analyzer systems meeting the current requirements of the department. (2) Annual license renewal. (3) Onsite availability of current emission control system information and service and adjustment procedures.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 44030.5. Section 44030.5.

The department shall develop standards for certification of institutions and instructors for purposes of providing training of smog check mechanics. The standards shall include criteria for applications, manuals, textbooks, laboratory equipment, laboratory exercises, hands-on work, examinations, and other matters the department determines necessary for a certified course of instruction. The standards shall also specify the conditions under which an institution or instructor may be decertified, and under which a decertified institution or instructor may regain certification.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 44031.5. Section 44031.5.

(a) No smog check technician may perform tests or make repairs required by this chapter, for compensation, unless qualified by the department for the class and category of vehicle being tested or repaired. To qualify, smog check technicians shall pass a qualification test administered by the department, in addition to meeting prerequisite minimum experience and training criteria established by the department, pursuant to Section 44045.5. Passage of the qualification test shall, and training may, also be required upon each biennial renewal of the smog check technician’s license. (b) The department shall prescribe training and periodic retraining courses for licensed smog check technicians pursuant to Section 44045.6. (c) Whenever the department determines, through investigation, that a previously qualified smog check technician may lack the skills to reliably and accurately perform the test or repair functions within the required qualification, the department may prescribe for the technician one or more retraining courses which have been certified by the department. The smog check technician may request and be granted a hearing, pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, on the department’s determination. The request for a hearing shall be submitted within 30 days of the department’s notification of its determination. A failure to complete the prescribed retraining course within the time designated by the department, or to request a hearing within 30 days of the department’s notification of its determination, shall result in loss of qualification. Upon a later completion of the prescribed department certified retraining course, the department may reinstate the smog check technician’s qualification. (d) Smog check technicians shall have the option to do hands-on work in lieu of written work in order to successfully complete the department certified training and retraining courses or may complete comparable military training as documented by submission of Verification of Military Experience and Training (V-MET) records in lieu of meeting any other training-related requirements of this section. (e) The institution administering the department certified training or retraining courses shall issue a certificate of completion to each person who successfully completes the certified courses. The certificate shall be valid for two years. (f) The department may, by regulation, establish procedures relating to the issuance and use of photo identification cards for licensed technicians.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 44032. Section 44032.

No person shall perform, for compensation, tests or repairs of emission control devices or systems of motor vehicles required by this chapter unless the person performing the test or repair is a qualified smog check technician and the test or repair is performed at a licensed smog check station. Qualified smog check technicians shall perform tests of emission control devices and systems in accordance with Section 44012.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 44033. Section 44033.

(a) (1) Any facility meeting the requirements established by the department pursuant to this chapter may be licensed as a test-only, test and repair, or repair-only smog check station. A licensed smog check station shall display an identifying sign prescribed by the department in a manner conspicuous to the public. (2) A licensed smog check station certified pursuant to Section 44014.2 shall display an identifying sign prescribed by the department. (b) No licensed or certified smog check station shall require, as a condition of performing the test, that any needed repairs or adjustment be done by the person, or at the facility of the person, performing the test. (c) If a motor vehicle, including a commercial vehicle, is tested at a facility licensed to perform tests and repairs pursuant to this chapter, the facility shall provide the customer with a written estimate pursuant to Section 9884.9 of the Business and Professions Code. The written estimate shall contain a notice to the customer stating that the customer may choose another smog check station to perform needed repairs, installations, adjustments, or subsequent tests. (d) Charges for testing or repair, or both, shall be separately stated. (e) The department shall require the posting of station licenses and qualified technicians’ certificates prominently in each place of business so as to be readily visible to the public.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 44034. Section 44034.

Annual license fees for smog check stations and biennial license fees for smog check technicians shall be imposed by the department, but shall not exceed the reasonable cost of administering the qualifications and licensing program.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 44034.1. Section 44034.1.

The department may impose an examination fee, sufficient to recover the reasonable cost of administering, developing, and updating the examination, for initial and biennial renewal smog check technician applicants. Payment of the fee entitles the applicant to be scheduled for an examination. The department may contract for collection of the fee.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 44035. Section 44035.

(a) A smog check station’s license or a qualified smog check technician’s qualification may be suspended or revoked by the department, after a hearing, for failure to meet or maintain the standards prescribed for qualification, equipment, performance, or conduct. The department shall adopt rules and regulations governing the suspension, revocation, and reinstatement of licenses and qualifications and the conduct of the hearings. (b) The department or its representatives, including quality assurance inspectors, shall be provided access to licensed stations for the purpose of examining property, station equipment, repair orders, emissions equipment maintenance records, and any emission inspection items, as defined by the department.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 44036. Section 44036.

(a) The consumer protection-oriented quality assurance portion of the motor vehicle inspection program shall ensure uniform and consistent tests and repairs by all qualified smog check technicians and licensed smog check stations throughout the state, and shall include a number of stations providing referee functions available to consumers. (b) (1) All licensed smog check stations shall utilize original equipment and replacement parts that are certified by the department. The department may enter into a contract for the supply or service of certified equipment with the manufacturers and service providers of this equipment. The department shall afford to the smog check station the option to purchase the equipment or service directly from the contractor or any other provider of certified equipment or service, as determined by the department. A contract executed pursuant to this paragraph may authorize compensation to the contractor as provided in subdivision (c) of Section 44037.2. (2) The department shall charge a fee for certification testing of the equipment or the replacement parts. The fee for certification testing of equipment shall be fixed by the department based upon its actual costs of certification testing, shall be calculated from the time that the equipment is submitted for certification testing until the time that the certification testing is complete, and shall not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000). The fee for certification testing of replacement parts shall be determined by the department based upon its actual costs of certification testing, shall be calculated from the time that the replacement part is submitted for certification testing until the time that the certification testing is complete, and shall not exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500). (3) The department shall adopt, and may revise, standards for certification and decertification of the equipment, that may include a device for testing of emissions of oxides of nitrogen. The department shall adopt, and update as necessary, equipment standards that may include a test analyzer system containing any or all of the following components: (A) A microprocessor to control test sequencing, selection of proper test standards, the automatic pass or fail decision, and the format for the test report and the recorded data file. The microprocessor shall be capable of using a standardized programming language specified by the department. (B) An exhaust gas analysis portion with an analyzer for hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide that is designed to accommodate an optional oxides of nitrogen analyzer. An oxides of nitrogen analyzer shall be required in the enhanced program areas. (C) Equipment necessary to perform visual and functional tests of emission control devices required by the department. (D) A device to accept and record motor vehicle identification information, including a device capable of reading barcode information pursuant to regulations of the state board. The device shall have the ability to identify, with the cooperation of the Department of Motor Vehicles, smog inspections performed on vehicles sold by used car dealers. (E) A device to provide a printed record of the test process and diagnostic information for the motorist. (F) A mass storage device capable of storing not less than the minimum amount of program software and data specified by the department. (G) A device to provide for the periodic modification of all program and data files contained on the mass storage device, using a standardized form of removable media conforming to specifications of the department. (H) A device that provides for the storage of test records on a standardized form of removable media conforming to specifications of the department. (I) One or more communications ports conforming to the specifications established by the department as necessary to provide real time communication, or communication that is consistent with maintaining a superior quality assurance program and efficient information transfer, between the test equipment and the centralized computer database through the computer network maintained by the department pursuant to Section 44037.1. (J) An interface capable of monitoring equipment used with loaded mode testing, idle testing, onboard diagnostic testing, or other tests prescribed by the department. (K) A real-time computer data program that would prevent a certificate of compliance from being issued if a vehicle is identified as having an excessive variance from computer data for that vehicle, mismatched information, or other irregularities. (L) Any other features that the department determines are necessary to increase the effectiveness of the program, including, but not limited to, a loaded mode dynamometer for purposes of oxides of nitrogen detection, and other equipment necessary to detect nonexhaust-related volatile organic compound emissions, such as those found in fuel system evaporative emissions and crankcase ventilation emissions. (c) (1) The department shall not require smog check stations to use equipment that meets revised standards for certification and decertification of equipment pursuant to subdivision (b) earlier than January 1, 2013. (2) If existing smog check stations licensed pursuant to this chapter or training institutions certified pursuant to Section 44030.5 are required to make investments of more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) to acquire equipment to meet the requirements of this subdivision, the department shall submit recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature for any appropriate mitigation measures, including, but not limited to, subsidies, equipment leases, grants, or loans. (3) The department may defer the requirement for any equipment, external to the chassis of the test analyzer system, needed to read barcode information, until a substantial portion of the vehicles subject to this chapter are equipped with barcode labels. (4) Prior to the imposition of a requirement for equipment meeting the requirements of subdivision (b), every smog check station shall use equipment meeting the specifications of the department in effect on January 1, 1996. (d) The quality assurance portion shall provide for inspections of licensed smog check stations, data collection and forwarding, equipment accuracy checks, operation of referee stations, and other necessary functions. If the services are contracted for pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 44014, the department shall prepare detailed specifications and solicit bids from private entities for the implementation of the quality assurance functions. (e) The department may revise the specifications for equipment annually if the cost thereof is less than 20 percent of the total system cost. A more comprehensive revision to the specifications may be required not more often than every five years. (f) (1) Equipment manufacturers shall furnish to the department, and shall install, software and hardware updates as specified by the department. The department shall allow equipment manufacturers six months, from the date the department issues its proposed specifications for periodic software and hardware updates, to obtain department approval that the updates meet the proposed specifications and to install the updates in all equipment subject to the updates. During the first 30 days of the six-month period, the manufacturers shall be permitted to review and to comment upon the proposed specifications. However, notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the department may order manufacturers to install software and hardware changes in a shorter period of time upon a finding by the department that a previously installed update does not meet current specifications. (2) The department may establish hardware specifications, performance standards, and operational requirements for the certification and continuing certification of the equipment specified in subdivision (b). (3) A manufacturer’s failure to furnish or install required software updates or to meet the specifications, standards, or requirements established pursuant to paragraph (2), is cause for the department to decertify the manufacturer’s test analyzer system or to issue a citation to the manufacturer. The citation shall specify the nature of the violation and may specify a civil penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each day the manufacturer fails to furnish or install the specified software updates by the specified period. In assessing a civil penalty pursuant to this paragraph, the department shall give due consideration, in determining the appropriateness of the amount of the civil penalty, to factors such as the gravity of the violation, the good faith of the manufacturer, and the history of previous violations. (4) The citations shall be served pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 11505 of the Government Code. The manufacturer may request a hearing in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. A request for a hearing shall be submitted in writing within 30 days of service of the citation, and shall be delivered to the office of the department in Sacramento. Hearings and related procedures under this paragraph shall be conducted in the same manner as proceedings for adjudication of an accusation under that Chapter 5, except as otherwise specified in this article. (5) If within 30 days from the date of service of the citation, the manufacturer fails to request a hearing, the citation shall be deemed the final order of the department. (6) Any failure to comply with the final order of the department for payment of a civil penalty, or to pay the amount specified in any settlement executed by the licensee and the Director of Consumer Affairs, is cause for decertification of the manufacturer’s test analyzer system.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 44036.1. Section 44036.1.

The department may require that equipment manufacturers, submitting equipment for certification pursuant to Section 44036, submit proof of financial security, including, but not limited to, insurance sufficient to cover product liability claims, and secured funds for prepaid warranty or service contracts.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 44036.2. Section 44036.2.

(a) To ensure uniform and consistent inspection, tests, and repairs by all qualified smog check technicians and licensed smog check stations, and to ensure consumer protection, manufacturers of motor vehicles shall provide, or cause to be provided, all emission control system service information that is necessary to properly inspect, test and repair those vehicles. Unless otherwise provided, that information shall be required for all 1980 and newer model-year vehicles and shall consist of all of the following: (1) General specifications showing the make, model, and classification of the vehicle. (2) The identification, location, and description of all emission control equipment on the vehicle. (3) The manufacturer’s recommended visual and functional inspection procedures for each emissions-related component. (4) Air injection and evaporative emission purge strategies. (5) All vehicle manufacturer-specific data stream information, excluding bidirectional control information and reprogramming information unless required by state or federal statute or regulation. (b) Beginning with the 1998 model year, all emissions-related information required by this section, including diagnostic, service, and training information supplied by vehicle manufacturers to any franchised dealer, shall be provided in an electronic format that is readily accessible, or that can be made readily accessible, to private diagnostic assistance service information vendors or intermediaries, if that information is provided or made available in this format by manufacturers to dealers. In determining the allowable format, the state board shall ensure compatibility with any service information format requirements specified by the Environmental Protection Agency. (c) (1) The state board shall require motor vehicle manufacturers to provide the service information necessary to comply with this section as a condition of certification. (2) Should the manufacturer fail to provide the service information necessary to comply with subdivision (a) for any vehicle within an engine family within one year of its retail introduction, the state board may withhold certification for all engine families for subsequent model years, until such time as the manufacturer provides the necessary service information. (3) The department shall periodically conduct surveys to determine whether the service information and tool requirements imposed by federal and state law are being fulfilled by actual field availability of the information and tools. (d) The manufacturer shall make accessible, through the vehicle’s standard data link, the version number or part number of the vehicle’s current computer memory program to allow smog check technicians to determine if the manufacturer’s most up-to-date program is installed in the vehicle’s computer. This requirement shall apply to all vehicles with reprogrammable computer memory in the vehicle’s computer beginning with the 1999 model year. Until the manufacturer provides an electronic computer program identifier system, the manufacturer shall use a mechanical identification system to identify the computer’s current program. (e) (1) Those manufacturers that do not use reprogrammable technology for the vehicle’s computer shall use either a mechanical or electronic identification system to identify the current program of the vehicle’s computer. (2) The manufacturer shall also provide or cause to be provided an engine family reprogramming cross-reference to aid smog check technicians in determining the proper computer memory program for that engine. The cross-reference shall either be published by the manufacturer or made available to private diagnostic service information vendors or intermediaries for compilation and distribution. (f) (1) The information required to be provided under this section shall be limited to only that information which is made available by manufacturers to franchised dealers or other persons engaged in the repair, diagnosing, or servicing of motor vehicles or motor vehicle engines needed to make use of the emissions control diagnostic system prescribed under Section 207 of the Federal Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 and such other information including instructions for making emission-related diagnosis and repairs. If any of the emissions-related service information required by this section is provided to the manufacturer’s franchised dealers in advance of the specific requirements of this section, that information shall also be made available by manufacturers, directly or indirectly, to smog check stations and repair technicians. Manufacturers shall only be required to provide information to vendors or intermediaries in the same manner and format as provided to franchised dealers. (2) The service information shall be made compatible with computer systems commonly used in the aftermarket repair industry. In addition, the vendor or intermediary may offer the information by other common distribution means when electronic means are unavailable. No information or format will be required in the service information beyond that which is provided by new car manufacturers to franchise dealers. (g) The provisions of this section that apply with respect to 1994 and newer model-year vehicles shall become inoperative if the state board determines that the Environmental Protection Agency has adopted rules relative to the provision of emissions-related service information for 1994 and newer model-year vehicles.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 44036.3. Section 44036.3.

(a) The department shall direct licensed smog check stations and technicians to private diagnostic assistance service information vendors or intermediaries who possess the electronically formatted information acquired under Section 44036.2, or with any other emissions-related information needed to improve the effectiveness of smog checks. (b) The provisions of this section that apply with respect to 1994 and newer model-year vehicles shall become inoperative if the state board determines that the Environmental Protection Agency has adopted rules relative to the provision of emissions-related service information for 1994 and newer model-year vehicles.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 44036.5. Section 44036.5.

(a) The department shall set standards for test analyzer system (TAS) calibration gases and shall establish criteria to certify and decertify gas blenders who blend, fill, or sell TAS calibration gases. (b) On and after January 1, 1990, no person shall blend, fill, or sell any TAS calibration gases unless certified by the department and no person shall use in a TAS calibration gases which are not certified.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 44036.8. Section 44036.8.

The data collected by the equipment used by a smog check station, as required by regulations of the bureau, may be used by a licensed smog check station technician or operator when appealing a citation issued by the bureau.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 44037. Section 44037.

(a) The department shall compile and maintain records, using the sampling methodology necessary to ensure their scientific validity and reliability, of tests and repairs performed by qualified smog check technicians at licensed smog check stations pursuant to this chapter on all of the following information: (1) The motor vehicle identification information and the test data collected at the station. (2) The number of maintenance and repair operations performed on motor vehicles that fail to pass a test conducted pursuant to this chapter. (3) The correlation between maintenance and repairs recommended by the department pursuant to Section 44016 and maintenance and repairs performed. (4) The charges assessed for the service and repairs and the correlation between the amount charged for repairs and the amount of emission reduction. (5) Data received and compiled through the use of the centralized computer database and computer network to be established pursuant to Section 44037.1, and any other information determined to be essential by the department for program enhancement to achieve greater efficiency, consumer protection, cost-effectiveness, convenience, or emission reductions. (6) The frequency of specific smog check stations issuing a passing certificate for vehicles that have failed a previous inspection at other smog check stations within the preceding 30 days. (b) A written summary of the information specified in subdivision (a) shall be available annually for the technicians and smog check stations in each district and to the public upon request.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 44037.1. Section 44037.1.

(a) On or before January 1, 1995, the department shall design and establish the equipment necessary to operate a centralized computer data base and computer network that is readily accessible by all licensed smog check technicians on a real time basis. (b) The centralized computer data base and network shall be designed with all of the following capabilities: (1) To provide smog check technicians with immediate access to vehicle-specific information regarding the location of all emission control equipment, pattern failure data, and other vehicle-specific technical information relevant to the efficient identification, diagnosis, and repair of emission problems. (2) To provide smog check technicians and the department with information as to the date and result of prior smog check tests performed on each vehicle to discourage vehicle owners from shopping for certificates of compliance and to permit the department to identify smog check stations for further investigation as potential violators of this chapter. (3) To provide the department with data on the failure rates and repair effectiveness for vehicles of each make and model year on a statewide basis, and by smog check station and technician, to facilitate identification of smog check stations and technicians as potential violators of this chapter. (4) Upon a determination that a smog check station or technician has engaged in a pattern of conduct violating this chapter, or that a vehicle failed one or more emissions tests before obtaining a certificate of compliance, to provide the information necessary to identify and contact vehicle owners who obtained certificates from the station or technician, or may have obtained certificates of compliance in violation of this chapter, for purposes of requiring the retesting of their vehicles. (5) To be compatible with the eventual transition to a fully computerized smog certification program that will not require the use of printed certificates as evidence of compliance. (6) To be compatible with bar code scanning of vehicles as provided in Section 44041. (7) To permit ongoing entry of information from each smog check station into the centralized data base to enlarge and improve the data base on a continuous basis. (8) To be compatible with the department’s recordkeeping and compilation requirements established by Section 44037. (9) To meet the needs of a remote-sensing program to identify gross polluters, as specified by the department. (10) To meet any other needs specified by the department to enhance the benefits of the program through the storage of vehicle-specific information, such as that pertaining to voluntary repair and assistance and retirement programs and to the referee station program. (c) After January 1, 1995, each smog check station shall transmit vehicle data emission test results to the department’s centralized data base. Each smog check station shall also transmit vehicle data and emission measurements made before and after repair. The department shall establish, by regulation, the form, manner, and frequency of the data transmittals.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 44037.2. Section 44037.2.

(a) The department may enter into a contract for telecommunication, programming, data analysis, data processing, and other services necessary to operate and maintain the centralized computer data base and computer network specified in Section 44037.1. (b) The department may, for each transmittal of data to the centralized data base, charge a licensed smog check station a transaction fee established by the department. The transaction fee shall be sufficient to cover the actual costs of operating and maintaining the current data base and network. (c) Any contract made pursuant to this section may authorize compensation to the contractor from the transaction fees established by the department. The contractor shall maintain the transaction fees, which may be collected directly by the contractor from the licensed smog check stations, in a separate custodial account that the contractor shall account for and manage in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards and principles.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 44038. Section 44038.

Until implementation of the centralized computer data base required pursuant to Section 44037.1, each smog check station shall transmit vehicle data and emission test or repair results to the department and transmit to the department vehicle data and emission measurements made before and after repair. The department shall establish, by regulation, the form, manner, and frequency of those data transmittals.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 44039. Section 44039.

A written summary of the required information applicable to smog check stations in each district shall be published semiannually by the department and made available upon request to the owner of any motor vehicle subject to this chapter.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 44040. Section 44040.

The department may require certificates of compliance, certificates of noncompliance, and repair cost waivers to contain a unique number encoded in bar code. These certificates may be sold to licensed smog check stations by the department, printed by test analyzer systems, or transmitted by electronic means. The department, with the cooperation of the Department of Motor Vehicles, shall periodically check certificates to determine their validity.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 44041. Section 44041.

In order to expedite emissions testing and to eliminate errors in the transcription of vehicle data, the department shall, in cooperation with the Department of Motor Vehicles, furnish bar code labels or bar coded documents to all vehicle owners at the time of their vehicle’s annual registration renewal. The labels or documents shall contain vehicle identification numbers and other vehicle-specific information, to be determined by the department, which can be recorded by smog check station technicians utilizing the scanning devices required by Section 44036.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 44045.5. Section 44045.5.

(a) This section describes the qualifications to be met by smog check technician applicants effective January 1, 1995. The department shall, by regulation, establish requirements for the licensure of smog check technicians which are necessary to enable the program to meet the applicable emission reduction performance standards, to include, at a minimum: (1) Either of the following: (A) Certification standards for all technicians in the program which are equivalent or superior to the standards applicable for certification by an established national certification or accrediting institution to perform service on automotive engines and electrical systems. (B) Successful completion of a training program certified by the department under Section 44045.6. (2) In addition to the requirement in paragraph (1), a minimum of two years’ experience performing repairs to motor vehicle emission control systems or experience approved by the department, or an associate degree in an automotive technology curriculum or an equivalent degree as determined by the department. (3) An examination process that effectively determines whether applicants are all of the following: (A) Knowledgeable regarding the visual, functional, and exhaust and evaporative emissions inspection and testing procedures specified by the department, including a demonstrated understanding of loaded mode testing principles, purpose, procedures and equipment. (B) Knowledgeable regarding misfire detection, air injection testing, closed-loop system testing, and generic idle adjustment procedures specified by the department. (C) Capable of using emissions manuals and tuneup labels to properly identify required emission control systems and components on any vehicle subject to the enhanced program. (4) Not later than July 1, 1995, the examination shall use state-of-the-art technology, which may include computer simulations or other computer-based examination formats to determine whether applicants can properly identify, diagnose, and repair emission-related problems. The department may contract for the development and administration of this examination. (b) The department shall not license any technician unless the department has determined that the person is able to perform the inspection, testing, and repair tasks required under the program on all vehicles subject to the program, except that the department may limit this requirement to specified makes or models of vehicles if a technician requests licensing limited to specified makes or models of vehicles. (c) The department may establish more than one category or level of licensure, and may provide for the licensing of interns or trainees if those persons do all of their test and repair work under the supervision of a licensed technician. (d) The department shall require the renewal of smog check technician licenses every two years, and shall establish any necessary and appropriate requirements for renewal.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 44045.6. Section 44045.6.

(a) The department shall, by regulation, establish requirements for the training of smog check technicians which are necessary to enable the program to meet the applicable emission reduction performance standards, to include, at a minimum, all of the following: (1) Criteria for facilities, instructors, equipment, reference materials, and instructional materials. (2) A detailed outline of lectures and laboratory work. (3) A final examination and recommended passing score. (4) In lieu of the requirements in paragraphs (1) to (3), inclusive, the department may accept certification by an established national training institution of training in relevant curricula, including electrical systems, engine performance, and electronic emissions diagnostics. (b) Training facilities meeting the requirements of subdivision (a) shall be certified by the department to provide smog check training. (c) The department may require remedial training at a certified training facility or may take disciplinary action, whichever the department determines to be the most appropriate, for any licensed technician who the department determines cannot perform inspections, testing, or repairs as required under the program. The failure to complete the remedial training when required by the department shall be a ground for revocation or suspension of a smog check technician’s license under Section 44072.2. (d) The department may contract to ensure the availability of training and retraining courses required by this chapter whenever these courses are not otherwise available. Charges for courses offered by contractors pursuant to this subdivision shall be borne by course attendees.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026