How to Get a Smog Specialist Certificate in Tennessee

Automotive smog and emissions testing is a common practice in this age of environmental awareness. This means that those with a career as an auto mechanic can get a niche specialty to help bring cars that have not passed the test to the standards. Knowing how to identify, diagnose, and fix issues that affect the amount of pollution a vehicle emits can be helpful in getting an automotive technician job that requires these specific skills.

If you're an automotive technician in Tennessee, the good news for you is that six counties in the state require vehicles to pass an annual emissions test. These are the counties of Hamilton, Davidson, Sumner, Rutherford, Wilson and Williamson. If you live in one of these areas and are an auto mechanic or interested in working with vehicles, focusing on emissions testing or repair could be a good career move.

How to Become an Emissions Inspector in Tennessee

Like many states, Tennessee outsources vehicle emission audits to private companies. In all counties except Davidson, Envirotest (a subsidiary of Opus Inspection) conducts testing. In Davidson County, this task is performed by Opus Inspection.

When a government outsources emissions testing to private contractors, the companies themselves take on all the recruiting, training and other necessary tasks to prepare inspectors for their facilities. If you are interested in working as an Emissions Inspector in Tennessee, you should contact Envirotest or Opus directly to find out how to apply for the job.

How to Become an Emissions Technician in Tennessee

When a vehicle owner needs to make repairs in order to get their car passed a smog test, they can take it to the shop or technician of their choice. This means becoming a Tennessee Emissions Specialist is as simple as making sure you have the experience to deal with issues that could cause a vehicle to fail a test.

Tennessee doesn't require mechanics to be licensed, but if you really want to work in the exhaust repair business, it's still a good idea to get a solid education behind you. There are many automotive engineering programs available in the state, such as the Automotive Technician Training Program at Lincoln Tech in Nashville. Simply search the Internet for a college or trade school in your area and get started.

If you have been a mechanic for some time but are not yet ASE certified, consider obtaining certifications related to exhaust repair. These include A6 (Electrical/Electronic Systems), A8 (Engine Performance) and L1 (Advanced Engine Performance). Having A1-A8 certifications is also a smart move, no matter what kind of automotive technician job you want to do.

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