CALIFORNIA SMOG CHECK INSPECTOR
EXAM Complete Study Guide 2026/2027
200 Verified Questions with Answers &
Rationales
1. What is the purpose of the Smog Check Inspector Licensing Examination?
• A. To assess general automotive repair knowledge
• B. To assess the basic qualifications of the applicant for inspecting vehicles in the
Smog Check Program
• C. To evaluate a candidate's ability to repair vehicles
• D. To test knowledge of engine rebuilding
Answer: B
Rationale: The Smog Check Inspector Licensing Examination assesses the basic
qualifications of the applicant for inspecting vehicles in the Smog Check Program .
2. What training is required for a Smog Check Inspector license applicant with
little or no experience?
• A. Only Level 2 training
• B. Level 1 and Level 2 training
• C. ASE certification only
• D. On-the-job training only
Answer: B
Rationale: Level 1 Training (Engine and Emission Controls Fundamentals, 68 hours
minimum) is required for Inspector candidates with little or no experience. Level 2
Training (Smog Check Procedures, 28 hours minimum) must be completed by all
Inspector license applicants .
,3. How many hours of Level 2 training are required for Smog Check Inspector
license applicants?
• A. 16 hours
• B. 28 hours
• C. 40 hours
• D. 68 hours
Answer: B (28 hours)
Rationale: Level 2 Training (Smog Check Procedures) is a minimum of 28 hours and
must be completed at a BAR-certified school .
4. Which of the following allows an experienced candidate to skip Level 1 training?
• A. Possess ASE A6, A8, and L1 certification
• B. Possess an AA/AS degree in automotive technology with 1 year experience
• C. Have 2 years experience and completed BAR specified training
• D. All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: Experienced candidates may skip Level 1 training if they possess ASE A6, A8
and L1 certification; possess an AA/AS degree or Certificate in automotive technology
and have 1 year experience; or have 2 years experience and have completed BAR
specified training .
5. How many hours of update training are required for Smog Check Inspector
license renewal?
• A. 2 hours
• B. 4 hours
• C. 8 hours
, • D. 16 hours
Answer: B (4 hours)
Rationale: Applicants for license renewal must provide proof that they have successfully
completed 4 hours of BAR-certified update training within the last two years .
6. What is the duration of a Smog Check Inspector license?
• A. 1 year
• B. 2 years
• C. 3 years
• D. 4 years
Answer: B (2 years)
Rationale: The Smog Check Inspector license expires every two years and requires
update training for renewal .
7. What is the difference between a Smog Check Inspector and a Smog Check
Repair Technician?
• A. Inspector inspects and certifies; Repair Technician diagnoses and repairs
• B. Inspector repairs vehicles; Repair Technician inspects vehicles
• C. There is no difference
• D. Inspector works at test stations; Repair Technician works at repair stations
Answer: A
Rationale: A Smog Check Inspector inspects and certifies vehicles; a Smog Check Repair
Technician diagnoses, adjusts, and repairs emissions control systems .
SECTION 2: VEHICLE ELIGIBILITY AND INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS
8. What model year gasoline vehicles are subject to California's Smog Check
program?
, • A. 1968 through current model year
• B. 1976 through current model year
• C. 1980 through current model year
• D. 1990 through current model year
Answer: B (1976 through current model year)
Rationale: BAR regulations specify that gasoline-powered vehicles from the 1976 model
year through the current model year are subject to the Smog Check program .
9. Which gasoline vehicles receive a BAR-97 inspection?
• A. 1976 – 1999
• B. 1980 – 2000
• C. 1990 – 2005
• D. 2000 and newer
Answer: A (1976 – 1999)
Rationale: Gasoline vehicles from 1976 through 1999 receive a BAR-97 inspection .
10. Which gasoline vehicles receive an OIS (On-Board Diagnostic Inspection
System) inspection?
• A. 1996 and newer
• B. 1998 and newer
• C. 2000 and newer
• D. All vehicles with OBD-II
Answer: C (2000 and newer)
Rationale: Gasoline vehicles from 2000 and newer receive an OIS inspection .
11. Which diesel vehicles are required to receive a Smog Check inspection?
EXAM Complete Study Guide 2026/2027
200 Verified Questions with Answers &
Rationales
1. What is the purpose of the Smog Check Inspector Licensing Examination?
• A. To assess general automotive repair knowledge
• B. To assess the basic qualifications of the applicant for inspecting vehicles in the
Smog Check Program
• C. To evaluate a candidate's ability to repair vehicles
• D. To test knowledge of engine rebuilding
Answer: B
Rationale: The Smog Check Inspector Licensing Examination assesses the basic
qualifications of the applicant for inspecting vehicles in the Smog Check Program .
2. What training is required for a Smog Check Inspector license applicant with
little or no experience?
• A. Only Level 2 training
• B. Level 1 and Level 2 training
• C. ASE certification only
• D. On-the-job training only
Answer: B
Rationale: Level 1 Training (Engine and Emission Controls Fundamentals, 68 hours
minimum) is required for Inspector candidates with little or no experience. Level 2
Training (Smog Check Procedures, 28 hours minimum) must be completed by all
Inspector license applicants .
,3. How many hours of Level 2 training are required for Smog Check Inspector
license applicants?
• A. 16 hours
• B. 28 hours
• C. 40 hours
• D. 68 hours
Answer: B (28 hours)
Rationale: Level 2 Training (Smog Check Procedures) is a minimum of 28 hours and
must be completed at a BAR-certified school .
4. Which of the following allows an experienced candidate to skip Level 1 training?
• A. Possess ASE A6, A8, and L1 certification
• B. Possess an AA/AS degree in automotive technology with 1 year experience
• C. Have 2 years experience and completed BAR specified training
• D. All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: Experienced candidates may skip Level 1 training if they possess ASE A6, A8
and L1 certification; possess an AA/AS degree or Certificate in automotive technology
and have 1 year experience; or have 2 years experience and have completed BAR
specified training .
5. How many hours of update training are required for Smog Check Inspector
license renewal?
• A. 2 hours
• B. 4 hours
• C. 8 hours
, • D. 16 hours
Answer: B (4 hours)
Rationale: Applicants for license renewal must provide proof that they have successfully
completed 4 hours of BAR-certified update training within the last two years .
6. What is the duration of a Smog Check Inspector license?
• A. 1 year
• B. 2 years
• C. 3 years
• D. 4 years
Answer: B (2 years)
Rationale: The Smog Check Inspector license expires every two years and requires
update training for renewal .
7. What is the difference between a Smog Check Inspector and a Smog Check
Repair Technician?
• A. Inspector inspects and certifies; Repair Technician diagnoses and repairs
• B. Inspector repairs vehicles; Repair Technician inspects vehicles
• C. There is no difference
• D. Inspector works at test stations; Repair Technician works at repair stations
Answer: A
Rationale: A Smog Check Inspector inspects and certifies vehicles; a Smog Check Repair
Technician diagnoses, adjusts, and repairs emissions control systems .
SECTION 2: VEHICLE ELIGIBILITY AND INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS
8. What model year gasoline vehicles are subject to California's Smog Check
program?
, • A. 1968 through current model year
• B. 1976 through current model year
• C. 1980 through current model year
• D. 1990 through current model year
Answer: B (1976 through current model year)
Rationale: BAR regulations specify that gasoline-powered vehicles from the 1976 model
year through the current model year are subject to the Smog Check program .
9. Which gasoline vehicles receive a BAR-97 inspection?
• A. 1976 – 1999
• B. 1980 – 2000
• C. 1990 – 2005
• D. 2000 and newer
Answer: A (1976 – 1999)
Rationale: Gasoline vehicles from 1976 through 1999 receive a BAR-97 inspection .
10. Which gasoline vehicles receive an OIS (On-Board Diagnostic Inspection
System) inspection?
• A. 1996 and newer
• B. 1998 and newer
• C. 2000 and newer
• D. All vehicles with OBD-II
Answer: C (2000 and newer)
Rationale: Gasoline vehicles from 2000 and newer receive an OIS inspection .
11. Which diesel vehicles are required to receive a Smog Check inspection?
