Licensing data
The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) licenses automotive repair dealers and stations and individuals that perform inspections in the Smog Check and Vehicle Safety Systems programs. Licensure information is available under the Licensees tab at www.bar.ca.gov.
Licensing statistics reports are shared at BAR Advisory Group meetings. To access these reports, see BAR Advisory Group. 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, 2025
License1 type | Number of licenses |
---|---|
Automotive repair dealer2 | 34,483 |
Smog Check test-and-repair station | 4,025 |
Smog Check test-only station | 2,030 |
Smog Check repair-only station | 25 |
STAR station3 | 3,516 |
Vehicle safety systems inspection station | 509 |
Smog Check inspector | 12,383 |
Smog Check repair technician | 5,031 |
Vehicle safety systems technician | 796 |
Total | 62,798 |
1 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 code.
2 An automotive repair dealer holds a registration to conduct business in California.
3 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, 2025
Primary business type4 | 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 and 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. Auto body and/or paint shop |
10. Tune-up / oil and lube shop | 10. Mobile automotive repair |
4 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. If licensees want to update their business types, they can change business information online.
PSI examination pass rate
Test dates: July 1, 2025 to September 30, 2025
Examination5 | Passed | % Passed | Failed | % Failed | Number of Exams |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smog Check inspector | 233 | 35.10% | 433 | 65.08% | 666 |
Smog Check repair technician | 79 | 53.02% | 70 | 46.98% | 149 |
Vehicle safety systems technician | 46 | 51.69% | 43 | 48.31% | 89 |
Total | 358 | 39.60% | 546 | 60.40% | 904 |
5 BAR partners with PSI Services LLC to administer its licensing exams.