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 inspectors1. 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 March 31, 2023)

License2 Type Number of Licenses
Automotive Repair Dealer3 34,233
Smog Check Test-and-Repair Station 4,300
Smog Check Test-Only Station 1,960
Smog Check Repair-Only Station 33
STAR Station4 3,657
Brake Station 743
Lamp Station 733
Smog Check Inspector 13,134
Smog Check Repair Technician 5,893
Brake Adjuster 671
Lamp Adjuster 619
Total 34,233

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 March 31, 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 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 (October - December 2022)

License Type Received Approved Average Processing Time (Days)
Automotive Repair Dealer 909 756 29
Smog Check Test-and-Repair Station 82 73 17
Smog Check Test-Only Station 59 51 23
Smog Check Repair-Only Station 2 1 5
STAR Station 67 41 12
Brake Station 14 14 52
Lamp Station 14 13 53
Smog Check Inspector 369 145 63
Smog Check Repair Technician 187 33 64
Brake Adjuster (included re-applications) 246 90 46
Lamp Adjuster (included re-applications) 235 77 44
Total 2,184 1,294 41

License Renewal Applications (October - December 2022)

License Type Received Approved Average Processing Time (Days)
Automotive Repair Dealer 7,238 6,808 5
Smog Check Test-and-Repair Station 1,046 962 5
Smog Check Test-Only Station 478 412 5
Smog Check Repair-Only Station 7 7 5
STAR Station N/A N/A N/A
Brake Station 168 158 5
Lamp Station 164 158 5
Smog Check Inspector 1,441 1,431 5
Smog Check Repair Technician 706 686 5
Brake Adjuster N/A N/A N/A
Lamp Adjuster N/A N/A N/A
Total 11,248 10,622 5

Initial License Applications (January - March 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 74 82 28
Smog Check Repair-Only Station 0 0 N/A
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 (includes re-applications) 276 100 43
Lamp Adjuster (includes re-applications) 249 108 51
Total 2,345 1,444 36

License Renewal Applications (January - March 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 622 495 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

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