Licensed Emissions Inspectors are required to be relicensed every 3 years by attending Northern Virginia Community College's (NVCC) Automotive Emissions Inspection course (AUT-225) offered at the Alexandria or Manassas campuses or complete online training administered by Opus. Inspectors must also maintain a valid vehicle operator’s permit.

Related forms

• Licensed Emissions Inspector extension request form

Certified Emissions Repair Technicians are required to be recertified every 3 years by either successfully completing the Advanced ASM Emissions Diagnostics course (AUT-226) offered at NVCC's Alexandria and Manassas campuses or by possessing and verifying a valid Advanced Engine Performance Specialist (L1) from the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence.

To verify your ASE status, log in to your online ASE technician account. Select the option to send your Certification Report by email. Enter the email address of your Vehicle Emissions Compliance Officer or contact DEQ at 703-583-3900 and ask for an appropriate email address. DEQ will review and, if deemed appropriate, verify, your status within two weeks. 

Please note:  Your Virginia CRT is valid for up to three (3) years, or until the month of expiration of your ASE L-1 Certification, whichever is earlier. If your DEQ CRT expires before your L-1 expires, please submit a new CRT application (there is no need to re-submit your ASE L-1 verification unless you have renewed and have a new ASE L-1 expiration date).

 Related forms

• CRF/CRT Information Sheet
• CRT application

Qualifications for certification

• To become a Certified Repair Facility (CRF), a facility owner must submit an application for certification, and must meet all of the requirements regarding personnel, equipment, tools and reference materials (see below). Any repair facility located in Virginia meeting the general requirements of 9 VAC 5 Chapter 91, Part VII may be certified. Facilities need not be a safety or an emissions inspection station in order to be certified to perform emissions related repairs that will qualify towards an emissions inspection waiver.
• The CRF certification is valid for up to 3 years from the month of approval. There are no fees for application or certification.
• The CRF must maintain all qualifications, including employment of at least one Certified Repair Technician (CRT) on duty during posted emissions repair facility hours.  All CRFs and CRTs are subject to repair effectiveness monitoring by the department, and may be required to update or refresh their training based on such results.

All CRFs are required to maintain the following equipment at all times:

• Ammeter, DC
• Ohmmeter
• Voltmeter, AC/DC
• Tachometer
• Fuel pressure gauge capable of fuel injection diagnosis
• Compression test gauge and cylinder leak-down tester
• Vacuum pump with gauge for applying simulated manifold vacuum to emissions control devices
• Scan tools, and sufficient equipment to allow the extraction of computer fault codes from any vehicle being repaired that is equipped with an O2 sensor and a Malfunction Indicator Light or is OBD II equipped
• Reference material (emissions control systems application guides and emissions related repair guides) to aid in the diagnosis and repair of failed vehicles and to assist in the interpretation of fault codes (Material may be in manual or electronic form.) 

Additional recommended equipment

• Emissions Analyzer System: A 4- or 5-gas emissions analyzer capable of measuring HC, CO, CO2 , O2 and, for the 5-gas, NO, properly maintained and calibrated in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. (Permitted emissions inspection stations are already equipped with a certified emissions analyzer system that may be used for diagnosis & repair work.)
• Oscilloscope or other automotive analyzer capable of displaying ignition patterns, cylinder power contributions, emission control component generated waveforms, and injection patterns
• Ignition timing light with adjustable advance capability

DEQ may reduce the reference material requirement if the facility only performs repairs on a specific group of vehicles or makes, such as a dealership or import specialty shop. This allowance can be discussed after the facility submits their application to DEQ.

• CRF/CRT information sheet
• CRF application

Emissions Inspection Stations are required to provide inspection services a minimum of five days a week for at least eight hours each day. Stations must inspect all vehicles presented for an emissions inspection. Refer to 9 VAC 5-91 Part IV for more program details and station responsibilities.

• Certified analyzer in accordance with 9 VAC 5-91.X. Note that Opus Inspection provides new emissions inspection equipment (NVAS-2) and services to operate an approved and functional dynamometer. For information regarding new equipment agreements, services or approved dynamometers please contact Opus Inspection at (866) OBD-TEST.
• Span gases approved by the department and equipment for performing span gas checks
• Hand tools and equipment to perform proper inspections
• Suitable non-reactive exhaust hoses
• Current emissions control application guide (may be in electronic form separate from the analyzer system)
• Analyzer manufacturer's maintenance and calibration manual
• Certified thermometer as defined in 9 VAC 5-91-20
• A ventilation system in accordance with 9 VAC 5-91-320.D.7
• Cooling fan system in accordance with 9 VAC 5-91-320.D.8
• Emissions inspection regulations (supplied by DEQ)
• Telephone
• DEQ-approved paper for use in the analyzer system printer

• Emissions Inspection Station application
• Business tax credit for the lease of emissions inspection analyzer system
• NVAS2 analyzer certification letter

• Emissions Inspector License extension request form
• Certified Repair Facility/Technician fact sheet
• Certified Repair Technician application
• Emissions Inspection Station application
• Certified Emissions Repair Facility application
• Emissions-related repair data form
• Fleet facility compliance report