Licensing Data
The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) licenses automotive repair dealers, Smog Check stations, Smog Check technicians, Smog Check inspectors as well as brake and lamp inspectors.1 Licensure information is available under the Licensees tab at www.bar.ca.gov. The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) License Search may be used to look up a business or individual who has a license issued by DCA.
License Population
(as of September 30, 2023)
| License2 Type | Number of Licenses |
|---|---|
| Automotive Repair Dealer3 | 34,345 |
| Smog Check Test-and-Repair Station | 4,228 |
| Smog Check Test-Only Station | 1,979 |
| Smog Check Repair-Only Station | 32 |
| STAR Station4 | 4,081 |
| Brake Station | 713 |
| Lamp Station | 703 |
| Smog Check Inspector | 12,487 |
| Smog Check Repair Technician | 5,407 |
| Brake Adjuster | 656 |
| Lamp Adjuster | 644 |
| Total | 65,275 |
1 Pursuant to AB 471 (Low, Chapter 372, Statutes of 2021), vehicle safety systems licenses will soon replace lamp and brake licenses.
2 California Business and Professions Code section 23 defines "license" as a license, certificate, registration, or other means to engage in a business or profession regulated by the code.
3 An automotive repair dealer holds a registration to conduct business in California.
4 A licensed Smog Check station holds a STAR certification if it meets certain performance criteria established in BAR regulations.
Top 10 Business Types
(as of September 30, 2023)
Business types are provided by automotive repair dealers upon licensure or renewal. This information is tied to the service category options displayed on BAR's Auto Shop Locator. Licensees seeking to update their business type information can complete a Change of Name/Address/Corporate Officers or Directors form.
| Primary Business Type | Secondary Business Type |
|---|---|
| 1. General Repair | 1. General Repair |
| 2. Auto Body and/or Paint Shop | 2. Smog Check Station |
| 3. Smog Check Station | 3. Automotive Diagnostic Repair |
| 4. Other | 4. Other |
| 5. Tire Shop | 5. Tune Up/Oil Lube Shop |
| 6. New/Used Car Dealer | 6. Brake/Front End Alignment Shop |
| 7. Mobile Automotive Repair | 7. Tire Shop |
| 8. Transmission Repair Shop | 8. Preventative Maintenance Services |
| 9. Preventative Maintenance Services | 9. Engine Rebuilding/Repair |
| 10. Tune Up/Oil Lube Shop | 10. Mobile Automotive Repair |
License Processing Times
Initial License Applications (April - June 2023)
| License Type | Received | Approved | Average Processing Time (Days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Repair Dealer | 808 | 767 | 35 |
| Smog Check Test-and-Repair Station | 67 | 59 | 22 |
| Smog Check Test-Only Station | 72 | 58 | 26 |
| Smog Check Repair-Only Station | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STAR Station | 92 | 53 | 16 |
| Brake Station | 23 | 22 | 18 |
| Lamp Station | 23 | 23 | 17 |
| Smog Check Inspector | 498 | 178 | 65 |
| Smog Check Repair Technician | 237 | 76 | 62 |
| Brake Adjuster (included re-applications) | 276 | 100 | 43 |
| Lamp Adjuster (included re-applications) | 249 | 108 | 51 |
| Total | 2,345 | 1,444 | 40 |
License Renewal Applications (April - June 2023)
| License Type | Received | Approved | Average Processing Time (Days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Repair Dealer | 9,667 | 8,210 | 5 |
| Smog Check Test-and-Repair Station | 1,469 | 1,144 | 5 |
| Smog Check Test-Only Station | 662 | 495 | 5 |
| Smog Check Repair-Only Station | 6 | 6 | 5 |
| STAR Station | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Brake Station | 260 | 189 | 5 |
| Lamp Station | 264 | 190 | 5 |
| Smog Check Inspector | 1,672 | 1,536 | 5 |
| Smog Check Repair Technician | 763 | 693 | 5 |
| Brake Adjuster | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Lamp Adjuster | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total | 14,763 | 12,463 | 5 |
Initial License Applications (July - September 2023)
| License Type | Received | Approved | Average Processing Time (Days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Repair Dealer | 1,071 | 815 | 39 |
| Smog Check Test-and-Repair Station | 101 | 78 | 34 |
| Smog Check Test-Only Station | 75 | 70 | 28 |
| Smog Check Repair-Only Station | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| STAR Station | 91 | 42 | 12 |
| Brake Station | 25 | 18 | 24 |
| Lamp Station | 25 | 16 | 18 |
| Smog Check Inspector | 419 | 172 | 59 |
| Smog Check Repair Technician | 214 | 65 | 80 |
| Brake Adjuster (includes re-applications) | 253 | 63 | 48 |
| Lamp Adjuster (includes re-applications) | 224 | 72 | 49 |
| Total | 2,501 | 1,413 | 42 |
License Renewal Applications (July - September 2023)
| License Type | Received | Approved | Average Processing Time (Days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Repair Dealer | 8,552 | 8,176 | 5 |
| Smog Check Test-and-Repair Station | 878 | 843 | 5 |
| Smog Check Test-Only Station | 400 | 397 | 5 |
| Smog Check Repair-Only Station | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| STAR Station | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Brake Station | 140 | 136 | 5 |
| Lamp Station | 138 | 133 | 5 |
| Smog Check Inspector | 1,478 | 1,437 | 5 |
| Smog Check Repair Technician | 642 | 641 | 5 |
| Brake Adjuster | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Lamp Adjuster | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total | 12,231 | 11,765 | 5 |