Licensing Data

License Population

(as of March 31, 2022)

License1 Type Number of Registrants/Licenses
Automotive Repair Dealer2 34,854
Smog Check Test-and-Repair Station 4,489
Smog Check Test-Only Station 1,971
Smog Check Repair-Only Station 36
STAR Station3 3,787
Brake Station 818
Lamp Station 809
Smog Check Inspector 13,424
Smog Check Repair Technician 6,408
Brake Adjuster 893
Lamp Adjuster 749

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 the 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 Business Types

(as of March 31, 2022)

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 Name/Address/Corporate Officers or Directors form.

Primary Business Types Secondary Business Types
1. General Repair 1. General Repair
2. Auto Body/Paint Shop 2. Smog Check Station
3. Smog Check Station 3. Automotive Diagnostic Center
4. Tire Shop 4. Tune-Up/Oil and Lube
5. New/Used Car Dealer 5. Brake/Front End Alignment Shop
6. Mobile Automotive Repair 6. Tire Shop
7. Transmission Repair Shop 7. Preventative Maintenance
8. Preventative Maintenance 8. Engine Rebuilding/Repair
9. Tune-Up/Oil and Lube 9. Mobile Automotive Repair
10. Glass Shop 10. Auto Body/Paint Shop

License Processing Times

Initial License Applications: October - December 2021

License Type Received Approved Average Processing Time (Days)
Automotive Repair Dealer 852 590 41
Smog Check Test-and-Repair Station 87 64 38
Smog Check Test-Only Station 56 42 45
Smog Check Repair-Only Station 4 1 28
STAR Station 83 53 39
Brake Station 18 13 33
Lamp Station 18 11 36
Smog Check Inspector 392 150 62
Smog Check Repair Technician 144 70 98
Brake Adjuster 203 39 45
Lamp Adjuster 198 35 42
Total 2,055 1,068 46

License Renewal Applications: October - December 2021

License Type Received Approved Average Processing Time (Days)
Automotive Repair Dealer 7,177 7,177 5
Smog Check Test-and-Repair Station 1,073 1,073 5
Smog Check Test-Only Station 425 425 5
Smog Check Repair-Only Station 8 8 5
STAR Station 0 0 0
Brake Station 183 183 5
Lamp Station 181 181 5
Smog Check Inspector 1,460 1,460 5
Smog Check Repair Technician 717 717 5
Brake Adjuster 31 31 5
Lamp Adjuster 30 30 5
Total 11,285 11,285 5

All Licensing Applications: October - December 2021

Type Received Approved Average Processing Time (Days)
Initial Applications 2,055 1,068 45
Renewal Applications 11,285 11,285 5
Total 13,340 12,285 26

Initial License Applications: January - March 2022

License Type Received Approved Average Processing Time (Days)
Automotive Repair Dealer 821 700 51
Smog Check Test-and-Repair Station 106 99 35
Smog Check Test-Only Station 50 43 41
Smog Check Repair-Only Station 0 1 40
STAR Station 110 57 32
Brake Station 11 13 43
Lamp Station 12 12 40
Smog Check Inspector 395 164 71
Smog Check Repair Technician 173 76 132
Brake Adjuster 220 64 88
Lamp Adjuster 231 46 78
Total 2,129 1,275 59

License Renewal Applications: January - March 2022

License Type Received Approved Average Processing Time (Days)
Automotive Repair Dealer 8,311 8,311 5
Smog Check Test-and-Repair Station 1,173 1,173 5
Smog Check Test-Only Station 483 483 5
Smog Check Repair-Only Station 8 8 5
STAR Station 0 0 0
Brake Station 216 216 5
Lamp Station 218 218 5
Smog Check Inspector 1,377 1,377 5
Smog Check Repair Technician 651 651 5
Brake Adjuster 61 61 5
Lamp Adjuster 45 45 5
Total 12,543 12,543 5

All Licensing Applications: January - March 2022

Type Received Approved Average Processing Time (Days)
Initial Applications 2,129 1,275 59
Renewal Applications 12,543 12,543 5
Total 14,672 13,818 32

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