Licensing data
The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) licenses automotive repair dealers, Smog Check stations and technicians, and vehicle safety systems stations and technicians. Licensing data is shared to provide transparency and highlight trends in California's automotive repair industry.
Additional licensing statistics are provided at BAR Advisory Group meetings and are also available through the Department of Consumer Affairs Open Data Portal.
License population
As of March 31, 2026
| License1 type | Number of licenses |
|---|---|
| Automotive repair dealer2 | 35,431 |
| Smog Check test-and-repair station | 3,982 |
| Smog Check test-only station | 2,010 |
| Smog Check repair-only station | 25 |
| STAR station3 | 3,494 |
| Vehicle safety systems inspection station | 555 |
| Smog Check inspector | 12,455 |
| Smog Check repair technician | 4,994 |
| Vehicle safety systems technician | 841 |
| Total | 63,777 |
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 March 31, 2026
| Primary business type4 | Secondary business type |
|---|---|
| 1. General repair | 1. General repair |
| 2. Auto body / paint shop | 2. Automotive diagnostic center |
| 3. Smog Check station | 3. Smog Check station |
| 4. Other | 4. Tire shop |
| 5. Tire shop | 5. Preventative maintenance |
| 6. New / used car dealer | 6. Other |
| 7. Mobile automotive repair | 7. Auto body / paint shop |
| 8. Tune up / oil and lube shop | 8. Brake / front end alignment shop |
| 9. Glass shop | 9. Tune up / oil and lube shop |
| 10. Transmission repair 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: October 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025
| Examination5 | Passed | % Passed | Failed | % Failed | Number of Exams |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smog Check inspector | 187 | 29.40% | 449 | 70.60% | 636 |
| Smog Check repair technician | 69 | 51.88% | 64 | 48.12% | 133 |
| Vehicle safety systems technician | 36 | 48.00% | 39 | 52.00% | 75 |
| Total | 292 | 34.60% | 552 | 65.40% | 844 |
5 BAR partners with PSI Services LLC to administer its licensing exams.