Military resources

BAR offers licensing help for military members. This includes active duty service members, their spouses or domestic partners, and veterans. The resources apply to individuals applying for an inspector or technician license. Sole proprietorships and partnerships applying for a business license may also qualify.

Military Resources Logo

Active duty service members

License renewal requirements waiver

If you are called to active duty, you may qualify for a waiver of certain license renewal requirements.

Waived requirements include:

  • License renewal fees

  • Continuing education or training requirements

  • Other BAR renewal requirements

To qualify, you must:

  1. Hold a current and valid BAR license when you are called to active duty

  2. Submit a waiver request form

  3. Provide proof of active duty status, such as military orders

Important:

  • “Active duty” means full-time service in any branch of the United States Armed Forces.

  • Renewal requirements are only waived during your active duty period.

  • You must notify BAR within 60 days after you receive notice of your discharge date.

  • You must meet all license renewal requirements before resuming business or work.

(Business and Professions Code section 114.3)

Expedited license processing (SkillBridge Program)

If you are enrolled in the Skillbridge Program, you may qualify for expedited licensing processing.

To qualify, you must:

  1. Meet the license qualifications

  2. Complete a license application

  3. Provide proof of SkillBridge Program enrollment, such as an official letter from your commanding officer

(Business and Professions Code section 115.4)

Spouses and domestic partners

Expedited license processing and initial application fee waiver

You may qualify for expedited license processing and a waiver of the initial application fee.

To qualify, you must:

  1. Hold a current automotive repair license from another state, district, or U.S. territory

  2. Complete a license application

  3. Provide proof that you are married to, or in a domestic partnership or other legal union with, an active duty service member stationed in California under official orders

Important: Expedited license processing does not guarantee a license.

(Business and Professions Code section 115.5)

Temporary licensure

You may qualify for a temporary license if you hold a current automotive repair license from another state, district, or U.S. territory.

Temporary licenses:

  • Have no fees

  • Are nonrenewable

  • Expire 12 months after issuance, or upon issuance or denial of an expedited license

  • Are only available to individuals, not businesses

To qualify, you must:

  1. Hold a current automotive repair license from another state, district, or U.S. territory

  2. Complete a license application

  3. Provide proof that you are married to, or in a domestic partnership or other legal union with, an active duty service member stationed in California under official orders

  4. Provide written verification from your out-of-state licensing jurisdiction that your license is in good standing

  5. Not have committed any acts that could result in license denial, suspension, or revocation

  6. Not be subject to any disciplinary action by any licensing jurisdiction

(Business and Professions Code section 115.6)

Honorably discharged veterans

Expedited license processing

If you served on active duty and were honorably discharged, you may qualify for expedited license processing.

To qualify, you must:

  1. Complete a license application

  2. Provide proof of active duty and honorable discharge, such as:

    • DD214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)

    • ERB (Enlisted Record Brief)

    • ORB (Officer Record Brief)

Important: Expedited license processing does not guarantee a license.

(Business and Professions Code section 115.4)

Use military education and experience to meet license qualifications

BAR can review your military education and experience to see if it meets license qualification requirements.

To qualify, you must:

  1. Complete a license application

  2. Provide the following:

    • DD2586 (Verification of Military Experience and Training)

    • Joint Service Transcripts (military transcript)

    • Sealed, official educational transcripts for formal civilian education

Request military records from the National Archives and Records Administration.

(Business and Professions Code section 115.4)

License portability

Active duty service members and their spouses or domestic partners may qualify to use an out-of-state license in California.

To learn more and review eligibility requirements, see Federal Professional License Portability and State Registration.

(Business and Professions Code section 115.10)

Information

Contact the BAR Licensing Program
Email: BARLicensing@dca.ca.gov
Phone: (855) 735-0462

Careers at BAR
Military members with automotive experience may find rewarding careers with BAR. Learn more about BAR career opportunities.