STAR program Updates
New Regulations Take Effect July 1, 2022
On May 5, 2022, the Office of Administrative Law approved and filed with the Secretary of State the Bureau of Automotive Repair’s (BAR) regulatory action to update the STAR program regulations.
Effective July 1, 2022, the regulations amend STAR program eligibility requirements, establish a STAR certification suspension—rather than invalidation—process, and delete outdated Gold Shield Program provisions.
To help licensees prepare and comply with the updated STAR program regulations, following is an overview on the major updates and frequently asked questions about the changes.
Changes to Eligibility Requirements
- A station applying for STAR certification must have performed enough inspections in the most recently completed calendar quarter to allow for calculation of the STAR performance measures. Stations may check their results on the STAR Report Card.
- The minimum required Similar Vehicle Failure Rate for STAR certification has been lowered from 75% to 50%.
- A station with no Follow-up Pass Rate (FPR) score is no longer eligible for STAR certification if a Smog Check inspector with no FPR score is listed in its Inspector Information Table. Accordingly, a station with no FPR score is not eligible to apply for STAR certification until it adds a Smog Check inspector with an FPR score of 0.40 or higher to its Inspector Information Table.
- If a station was denied STAR certification for failure to meet eligibility requirements, it must wait until the next calendar quarter to reapply.
- If a station withdraws its STAR certification, it must wait six months before it may reapply.
For more information on STAR certification eligibility requirements, refer to the STAR program page and California Code of Regulations section 3392.2.
Changes to Performance Measures
- Short-Term Performance Measures - A new Incorrect Equipment Platform test deviation criterion has been added. The new criterion supports proper selection of the appropriate equipment platform.
- FPR Score Criteria - The option for a STAR station with no FPR score to add a Smog Check inspector with no FPR score to its Inspector Information Table has been eliminated.
Suspension of STAR Certification
The regulations replace the former invalidation process with a new suspension process. The often-burdensome invalidation process required a station that had its certification invalidated reapply to resume operation as a STAR station. Reapplication was permitted no sooner than six months following the invalidation. The new suspension process provides the station with clear terms of suspension, including a specified timeframe for the suspension, and allows the station to resume operation as a STAR station without having to reapply when the term of suspension ends.
In addition, the regulations add cause to suspend certification if, in the most recently completed FPR reporting period, a station did not receive an FPR score, and it adds a Smog Check inspector who also did not receive an FPR score to its Inspector Information Table.
For more information on STAR certification suspension, refer to the STAR Program page and California Code of Regulations section 3392.3.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the STAR program regulatory changes take effect?
The changes take effect on July 1, 2022.
When will updated STAR program information be available on BAR’s website?
For updated STAR program information such as eligibility information and FAQs, visit the STAR program page. An updated STAR Report Card will be released on July 15, 2022.
Where can I review the STAR program regulations?
The STAR program regulations (Article 10, Division 33, Title 16, California Code of Regulations) can be accessed online on BAR’s Laws and Regulations page and are available on the California Code of Regulations website.
Will my station be eligible for STAR certification if both the station and Smog Check inspector have no FPR score?
No. A station is not eligible for STAR certification until the station or Smog Check inspector’s FPR score is at least 0.40, and all other eligibility requirements are met. To meet this requirement, a new station with no FPR score may add a Smog Check inspector with an FPR score of 0.40 or higher to its Inspector Information Table.
If my station is denied STAR certification for failure to meet eligibility requirements, when can I reapply?
A station that was denied STAR certification for failure to meet eligibility requirements may reapply the next calendar quarter following the denial.
If my station withdrew its STAR certification, when will my station be eligible to reapply?
A station that withdraws its STAR certification must wait six months before submitting a new application for STAR certification.
Can my station’s STAR certification be suspended if the station did not receive an FPR score, and it adds a Smog Check inspector who did not receive an FPR score?
Yes, BAR has cause to suspend a station’s STAR certification if, in the most recently completed FPR reporting period, the STAR station did not receive an FPR score, and it adds a Smog Check inspector who also did not receive an FPR score to its Inspector Information Table.
If my station’s STAR certification is suspended, will my station need to reapply?
No, a station with a suspended STAR certification does not need to reapply and may resume operating as a STAR station when the term of suspension ends.