How to Get Certified as a Smog Specialist in North Carolina

The state of North Carolina requires most vehicles to be tested for emissions or smoke before registration. This means that every time a vehicle needs to be registered, the owner must take it to any of the 7,500 licensed inspection stations and pay smog-related fees. After receiving the vehicle inspection sticker, the vehicle can be registered and legally operated on the roads of North Carolina. Mechanics looking for a job as an automotive technician may consider getting an inspector's license as a great way to build a resume with valuable skills.

North Carolina Smog Specialist Qualification

However, no special certification is required in the state to be a smog repair technician. To perform smog checks or emissions checks in the state of North Carolina, an auto service technician must be qualified as follows:

• Must have already earned a security screening license by completing a state-sponsored eight-hour course offered at North Carolina Community College and passing the security screening written exam.

• Must complete an eight-hour state-sponsored emissions inspection course at North Carolina Community College.

• Must pass the inspector's written exam with a score of at least 80%.

Smog check drill in North Carolina

North Carolina sponsors many of the state's community colleges. For example, Central Piedmont Community College offers an eight-hour course that requires no prerequisites and culminates in a smog test.

These community college courses should cover the following objectives:

• Identification of all components to be tested
• Calibrating and using special tools such as a window tint meter
• Successful completion of all safety and emission verification procedures
• Passing the Inspection License Exam by at least 80%.

Smog licenses are valid for two years. To renew an expired license, mechanics must take an abbreviated version of the initial screening courses offered at various North Carolina community colleges.

Mandatory smog checks and exemptions

These are the types of vehicles that are exempt from smog inspection in North Carolina:

• Cars manufactured before 1995
• Diesel vehicles
• Vehicles licensed as agricultural vehicles
• Vehicles with less than 70,000 miles and less than three years old.

If the vehicle does not fall into any of these categories, it must be tested for smog during the registration and renewal process. North Carolina conducts smog checks using an on-board diagnostic (OBD) system.

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