Smog
Check Program 2003 Update training
Effective
January 1,2003, the requirements to renew a Smog Check Technician
license will change. The new emphasis for license renewal
will be on continuing education. Technicians, whose license
expires January 1,2003 and later, will not be required to
take the renewal license examination administered by Experior
Assessments, BAR ’s examination contractor, in order to renew
their license. License renewal will require technicians to
complete BAR ’s new update training course, entitled “Smog
Check 2003 Update Course.” The new course will be available
beginning September 1,2002. Technicians pursuing an initial
license must still take and pass the licensing examination
administered by Experior Assessments.
Once
a technician has taken and passed the update course, he/she
must submit an Application for Smog Check Technician License
Form (Form T-6,Rev.10/99) along with the $20.00 application
fee to BAR. The application form must list the following information:
Date of completion of the new update course and Completion
date for the required courses in Electrical/ Electronics,
Engine Performance, and Advanced Engine Performance; or expiration
dates for the acceptable ASE certifications (A6, A8, and L1)
The BAR Licensing Unit will review the applications within
10 to 14 days of receipt. Within 5 to 7 days after an application
has been approved, the Vehicle Information Database (VID)
will be updated to show the new license expiration date. Approximately
15 days after the VID update, Experior Assessments will mail
a new license and badge which will reflect the most recent
photo of the technician that is in their file. Applications
from Technicians whose license reflects a Family Support or
Enforcement hold will not be approved.
Following
is a list of the most Frequently Asked Questions regarding
the new course:
Q:
Who must take this course?
A:
BAR will require all licensed Smog Check Technicians, whose
license expires after January 1,2003,to complete this new
update training course, prior to renewing their license.
Q:
How long is the course?
A: The course is a minimum of 8 hours in length, including
the examination. Some schools may choose to conduct a longer
course.
Q:
Where can I get this training?
A: Any BAR certified school may offer this course.
To find a certified school in your area, go to the following
web page: http://165.235.17.9/sandt/schools/ query_schools.asp,
or call the Consumer Information Center (800)952-5210.You
will need to contact each school directly for a schedule.
Q:
What is the cost of the course?
A: The cost of the course is determined by each school.
Public schools (i.e. community colleges, ROP’s, etc.) are
usually lower in price than private training institutions,
but private schools often offer a wider variety of choices
regarding course hours and days.
Q:
What does the new update course cover?
A: The course is designed to address common misunderstandings
technicians have regarding the Smog Check program. In addition,
the course will cover new material in the Smog Check Inspection
Manual (Revision 6).The course will use a BAR-produced video
to address common misunderstandings regarding smog inspection
procedures. Additionally, the course instructors may conduct
group discussions to address problems, and identify questions
the technicians have regarding the program. Instructors may
contact BAR for answers to questions identified during the
course discussion. BAR will make the answer available to all
BAR instructors, to aid future training courses.
Q:I
heard that if you complete this course, you don ’t have to
take the re-certification examination to renew your license,
is that true?
A: Yes. If your license expires after January 1, 2003,you
will not have to take a licensing examination to renew your
license – just fill out an application and mail it in with
your $20 application fee, after you complete your update course.
Q:
If my license expires in 2002,can I just take this course
and not take the licensing exam?
A: No. All renewal applicants whose licenses expire
in 2002,must pass the technician licensing examination administered
by Experior Assessments to renew the license. If your license
expires in 2002,you cannot just let it expire and apply for
renewal in 2003 without passing a licensing exam.
Q:
What does the course ’s final exam cover, and what is a passing
score?
A: The open-book examination (maximum 4 hours) will
cover the new Smog Check Inspection Manual (Revision 6), and
the BAR Laws and Regulations book. The technician will be
asked to find answers to the test questions from both books,
and note the page number, or regulation code number, where
the answer was found. Technicians who familiarize themselves
with the manual, and the Laws and Regulations book, before
attending the course, may shorten the time it takes to complete
the examination. To pass the examination, technicians must
receive a minimum score of 70%.
Q:
Can I take a challenge test instead of taking the new course?
A: No. This course is designed to have technicians
participate in classroom discussions to dispel common misunderstandings,
and to identify problems associated with performing Smog Check
inspections.
Q:
My license expires a year and half from now.If I take the
update course now, will it meet the requirements when I renew
my license?
A: Yes, as with all BAR courses, you will need to apply
for license renewal within two years from the date of course
completion.
Q:
If someone is getting a new license, will they also receive
this training?
A: Yes. This same training (along with the previous
OBD II update training course)will be incorporated into the
new Basic Area Clean Air Car Course, which is required of
all new applicants for a Smog Check technician license.
Q:
If my license expires in January 2003,can I just take the
licensing examination instead of attending the new update
course?
A: No. If a technician ’s license expires in January
2003 (or beyond),they must show proof of completing the new
Smog Check 2003 Update Course. Taking the licensing examination
is not an acceptable substitute.
BAR's OBD II update training course
(From
the California BAR web site)
Q:
What is OBD II update training?
A:
BAR has the authority to require license applicants (initial
and renewal), to attend update training on new automotive
technology, prior to filing an application for a smog technician
license. In 1996, all vehicle manufacturers were required
to adopt a new engine performance computer operating system
called On-Board Diagnostics II (OBD II). To successfully inspect
and repair these vehicles, Smog Check technicians need to
be trained on this system.
Q:
Who is required to take this update course?
A:
All initial or renewal applicants who are applying or renewing
either a "Basic" (EB), or an "Advanced Emission Specialist"(EA)
smog technician license.
Q:
When does the OBD II update course requirement start?
A:
The update course requirement starts February 1, 2001 for
initial applicants. All new smog technician applicants, whose
applications are postmarked after January 31, 2001, must have
completed this course. Applicants must enclose proof of course
completion when filing an application. For all currently licensed
smog technicians, both Basic (EB) and Advanced Emission Specialist
(EA) license technicians, whose licenses expire after January
31, 2001, must provide proof of course completion when filing
a renewal application.
Q:
Where can a technician receive this training course?
A:
Most of BAR's certified training institutions throughout the
state will be offering this course. A technician needing training
should contact schools directly regarding course availability.
A list of BAR certified schools can be found at BAR's Smog
Check web site: www.smogcheck.ca.gov or by calling our Consumer
Information Center: (800) 952-5210.
Q:
How long is the course, and how much will it cost?
A:
The minimum course length is 20 hours, but it may be longer.
The cost for the course varies from under $50.00 to above
$350.00. Public schools (community colleges, etc.) usually
offer less costly courses, but they may not be available as
often.
Q:
If a technician, whose license expires after January 31, 2001,
applies to takes the examination early, do they still have
to complete the course?
A:
Yes. The determining factor here is when the license expires,
not when a technician applies for renewal of a license. If
the EB or EA license expires after 1/31/01, the OBD II update
course is required for renewal of the license.
Q:
Can I challenge the course by taking a challenge test without
attending an OBD II class?
A:
Yes. You may take a ‘one time’ challenge test, at a BAR certified
school, in lieu of taking the course. If you pass the exam,
the instructor will provide you with proof of course completion.
Proof of course completion must be submitted when filing an
initial or renewal application. Both initial and renewal applicants
may take this examination.
Q:
Who can I contact to obtain one of the BAR certified OBD II
textbooks to study for the challenge test?
A:
Textbook vendors: C.I.A.T at (760) 471-9848, NAPA at (800)
292-6428, JENDHAM INC. at (888) 536-3426, or Aspire Inc. at
(800) 247-1099 ext. 134. For further information regarding
the OBD II update course or challenge test, contact Wayne
Brumett of BAR Standards and Training Branch at (916) 255-1391.
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