Health and Safety Code 44032 states the following: No person shall perform, for compensation, tests or repairs of emission control devices or systems of motor vehicles required by this chapter unless the person performing the test or repair is a qualified smog check technician and the test or repair is performed at a licensed smog check station. Qualified technicians shall perform tests of emission control devices and systems in accordance with Section 44012.
An often asked question is, can a regular auto repair shop diagnose my vehicle's check engine light? Legally no. Since the check engine light is part of a vehicle's emission control system, an illuminated check engine light will cause a smog check failure and will require a smog check repair certified mechanic at a smog test & repair certified auto repair center diagnose and repair the fault.
