For those in an automotive mechanic career, finding the right automotive technician job can be a challenge. More and more often, certain areas of diagnosis and repair are emerging as specialties, requiring specific skills and certification. One of the most prominent of these areas is smog and emissions testing. More than two thirds of states in the U.S. require some form of inspection in an effort to reduce pollutants being released into the air. Here we’ll take a look at smog technician training in Indiana.
There are two emissions testing counties in Indiana – Lake, and Porter. Vehicles in these counties are required to be tested every two years, and to undergo repair for conditions causing emissions or exhaust issues if the vehicle fails the inspection.
How to become an emissions inspector in Indiana
You do not need to have professional automotive mechanic training in order to become an inspector in Indiana. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles contracts with Clean Air Car Check (a subsidiary of Opus Inspection) to perform the smog inspections. CACC does their own hiring, staffing testing stations in Hammond, Hobart, Crown Point, Valparaiso, Griffith, Gary, and Portage.
In order to qualify for an emissions inspector position with CACC, you must:
- Possess a valid driver’s license
- Have a clean driving record
- Pass an extensive background check
- Have excellent customer service skills
- Be able to work in a fast-paced work environment
If you’re interested in becoming a vehicle emissions inspector in Indiana, you can apply in person at any of the testing station locations.
How to become an ICERT
While ICERT is not required in order to perform emissions repairs, becoming an Indiana Certified Emission Repair Technician can benefit your personal skillset, as well as make you more valuable as an employee of a repair facility. Clean Air Car Check facilitates training for ICERTs, and requires that certain criteria be met before bestowing this certification upon an automotive technician:
- Completion of a 60-hour training course the focus of which is on the skills necessary to perform successful emissions repairs in coordination with the Indiana vehicle inspection program
- A minimum of the ASE L1 certificate, which must be maintained as valid in order to retain ICERT status
The training course lasts eight weeks and is typically held once a year in the spring. There are nominal fees involved in the course, in order to cover materials that you are able to keep upon completion. Clean Air Car Check recommends that technicians have at least A8 ASE certification, as having this basic tech knowledge is helpful for maximizing your chances of success in the program.
If you’re interested in becoming an ICERT, you can get more information by contacting Clean Air Car Check.
If you’re already a certified mechanic and you’re interested in working with YourMechanic, submit an online application for an opportunity to become a mobile mechanic.
