The state of Virginia does not require statewide smog checks be performed on vehicles on a regular basis; only the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park, as well as the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and Safford, require emissions testing to be performed on certain vehicles regularly. For Virginia mechanics seeking an automotive technician job, seeking out the smog technician’s certification is a great way to enhance a resume and increase opportunities to find mechanic jobs.
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality smog technician certification
In Virginia, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) offers the training and certification necessary to become a smog technician.
All smog technicians are required to attend a DEQ-sponsored course at the Northern Virginia Community College every three years in order to qualify for and maintain their certification. Any technician with an ASE L1 certification does not have to repeat the course to maintain their smog technician certification.
Smog check technicians may only inspect vehicles in a certified repair facility.
Smog technician salary
Becoming a licensed smog technician can help a mechanic build experience in their career and have a well-rounded resume. One of the things that many mechanics want to know is how a smog technician certification may change or enhance their auto mechanic salary. According to Salary Expert, smog technicians for the DEQ receive an average annual salary of $23,849 in Virginia.
Virginia smog inspection exemptions
The following types of vehicles are exempt from smog checks in any area in Virginia:
Motorcycles
Autocycles
Gasoline-powered vehicles more than 25 years old
Gasoline-powered vehicles rated higher than 10,000 pounds
Diesel powered vehicles that are older than 1996, or have a GVWR more than 8,500 pounds
Exclusively clean-fuel-powered vehicles
New vehicles are exempt from smog checks for four years after being titled for the first time.
Used vehicles that are newer than four years old are exempt for up to four years.
Vehicles that were previously smog checked in another state within the last 12 months, and are being registered for the first time in Virginia. These vehicles must be smog checked again according to the standard schedule when the out-of-state smog check expires.
All other vehicles are required to have smog checks performed every two years. This can be done either by visiting a certified emissions inspection station or by driving through a RAPIDPASS on-road emissions testing site.
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.
