Which states require emissions testing?
Auto repair

Which states require emissions testing?

09.11.2022 /

Over the past few years, outlier testing has become much more common. Most US states require at least some form of emission testing, although frequency and scope vary greatly. Most states that require testing only require it in certain areas, but there are a few states that require testing in all areas.

What conditions require testing?

There are currently 33 states that require testing in all or some areas. These include the following:

  • Arizona: Certain areas (Phoenix and Tucson)
  • California: All areas
  • Colorado: Some areas (Denver and Boulder)
  • Connecticut: All areas
  • Delaware: All areas
  • Georgia: Certain areas (all 13 Atlanta counties)
  • Idaho: Some areas (Boise City and Ada County)
  • Illinois: Certain areas (Chicago and East St. Louis)
  • Indiana: Certain areas (Metro Gary area)
  • Maine: Certain areas (Cumberland County and Portland metro area)
  • Maryland: Certain areas (all D.C. metros and City of Baltimore)
  • Massachusetts: All areas
  • Missouri: Certain areas (Jefferson County and Franklin County)
  • Nevada: Certain areas (Rino and Las Vegas)
  • NH: All areas
  • New Jersey: All areas
  • New Mexico: Some areas (Albuquerque metro area)
  • New York: All areas
  • North Carolina: Certain areas (48 counties - see the NC Department of Motor Vehicles website for more information).
  • Ohio: Certain areas (Cities of Akron and Cleveland)
  • Oregon: Certain areas (Medford and Portland)
  • Pennsylvania: Certain areas (Cities of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia)
  • Tennessee: Certain areas (Nashville and Memphis)
  • Texas: Certain areas (Cities of Austin, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, and El Paso)
  • Utah: Certain areas (Cities of Ogden, Provo, and Salt Lake)
  • Vermont: All regions (1996 or newer vehicles only)
  • Virginia: some areas (all D.C. and Arlington metros)
  • Washington: Certain areas (Cities of Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, and Vancouver)
  • Washington: All areas
  • Wisconsin: some areas (all of southeastern Wisconsin and the city of Milwaukee)

The list above is subject to change at any time. Emission standards change frequently. The best source of information about your specific testing requirements is your state's DMV or DOT website (in some states, this information is also available from the Department of Consumer Affairs). You can also check out the handy guide on DMV.org, which provides information on all 50 states.

What makes an area likely to require testing?

Those states that mandate emissions testing only in certain areas usually follow a simple rule: if the area is heavy in traffic and urban, chances are you'll need to get your car checked annually. For example, the state of Georgia requires testing in Atlanta and the Atlanta metro area (counties immediately surrounding Atlanta/Fulton County).

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