Apply for a business license

Important! The new Vehicle Safety Systems Inspection Program is rolling out. Apply now for a station license!

A business must be registered by BAR as an automotive repair dealer (ARD) to, for compensation, repair and/or diagnose malfunctions of motor vehicles. Beginning January 1, 2024, pursuant to AB 1263 (Berman, Chapter 681, Statutes of 2023), a business must also be registered as an ARD to engage in the business of collecting compensation for automotive repair services that are referred or sublet to someone other than the dealer or their employees.

An ARD holds a registration and can hold separate station licenses for the Smog Check Program and Vehicle Safety Systems Inspection Program. A licensed Smog Check station also may hold STAR station certification for the STAR program.

Applications and fees

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¹ Registration
² Certification
³ Effective March 27, 2024, vehicle safety systems licenses replace brake and lamp licenses pursuant to AB 471 (Low, Chapter 372, Statutes of 2021).

Application checklist

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You may need the following information and documentation to help complete your application:

General information

• Federal Employer Identification Number
• Corporation/limited liability company number assigned by the California Secretary of State
• Corporation Statement of Information
• Proof of sale (if the application is related to a change of ownership)
• Educational certifications
• Military documentation (Members of the United States Armed Forces and their families)
• Resettlement documentation (Refugees, asylees, and holders of special immigrant visas)

Permits and licenses

• Seller's permit
• City/County business license
• Hazardous waste facility permit
• Air Quality Management District spray booth permit

Domestic limited liability company documentation

• Articles of Organization and Charter
• Statement of Information
• Operating Agreement
• Trust Agreement (if a member of the limited liability company is a trust)

Foreign limited liability company documentation

• Application to Register and Charter (issued by the state where the foreign limited liability company was formed)
• Statement of Information
• Certificate Registration
• Operating Agreement
• Trust Agreement (if a member of the limited liability company is a trust)

Expedites and waivers

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For members of the United States Armed Forces and their families

Members of the United States Armed Forces and their spouses or domestic partners may qualify for expedited licensure and license portability options. A spouse or domestic partner of an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces also may qualify for an initial application fee waiver. For details and information on documentation that must be submitted with a license application to qualify, visit Resources for Members of the United States Armed Forces and Their Families.

For refugees, asylees, and holders of SIVs

Refugees, asylees, and holders of special immigrant visas (SIV) may qualify for expedited licensure as required by Business and Professions Code section 135.4. For details and information on documentation that must be submitted with a license application to qualify, visit Expedited Licensure Process for Refugees, Asylees, and Holders of Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs)

Potential license denial

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BAR is committed to reducing barriers to licensure and ensuring qualified applicants are granted a license. An applicant may be denied a license in certain circumstances as required by California law. However, circumstances such as a criminal conviction or prior formal discipline do not automatically preclude an applicant from licensure with BAR. BAR evaluates each applicant on a case-by-case basis and considers criteria to determine if the license should be granted.

For more information, visit Criminal Convictions, Formal Discipline, and Potential License Denial.

Requirements for licensees

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• Laws and regulations
• Sign and license display
• Write It Right
• Accepted trade standards
• Ignition interlock device installation services
• Storage fees

FAQs

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Do I need to be registered with BAR?

A businesses or individual that receives compensation for repairing, altering, or diagnosing malfunctions of motor vehicles must be registered as an automotive repair dealer with BAR. Beginning January 1, 2024, pursuant to AB 1263 (Berman, Chapter 681, Statutes of 2023), a business must also be registered as an automotive repair dealer to engage in the business of collecting compensation for automotive repair services that are referred or sublet to someone other than the dealer or their employees.

An automotive repair dealer registration is not required for the following:

• A business that services only vehicles other than passenger vehicles.

• A fleet owner that repairs only fleet vehicles.

• A machine shop that meets all of the following:

  1. The primary business is the wholesale supply of new or rebuilt automotive parts.
  2. The business solely engages in the remanufacturing of individual automotive parts without compensation for warranty adjustments.
  3. The business does not engage in repairing or diagnosing malfunctions of motor vehicles or motorcycles.

For more information, refer to Business and Professions Code sections 9880.1 and 9880.2

I want to perform mobile automotive repairs. Do I need to be registered with BAR?

Yes, all businesses performing automotive repairs must be registered as an automotive repair dealer with BAR. Businesses performing mobile automotive repairs exclusively must provide on the application the vehicle license plate number for the vehicle used to perform mobile repairs. Mobile automotive repair dealers must display the following information on any online advertisement and each vehicle used to perform mobile automotive repair:

• Business name
• Registration number
• Telephone number

For more information on mobile automotive repair dealers, see Sign and license display requirements.

Can I submit an automotive repair dealer registration application by mail instead of applying online?

BAR recommends that automotive repair dealer registration applicants apply online. The online application saves you time by allowing you to complete the application, upload documentation, pay fees, clear deficiencies, and receive processing notifications entirely online.

Start application 

If you are unable to apply online, you may submit a paper application by mail. Please note, applying online may result in faster processing of your application.

How do I apply for a station license?

To apply for a station license, an existing automotive repair dealer or automotive repair dealer applicant must submit the appropriate station application(s) and fee(s). For information on how to apply for STAR certification, see STAR Program.

Station license applications are currently only available in paper form and are accepted by mail.

Who do I contact to obtain the permits required on the automotive repair dealer application?

Contact the appropriate agency below:

What happens after I submit my application?

BAR will review the application to verify all required information is complete and the fee is paid.

• If the application is complete, BAR will notify you that the application is approved and, if applicable, schedule an onsite station inspection. During the inspection, BAR will verify the station has the required equipment, tools, signs, manuals, licensed technician(s), and approved work area. A station license cannot be issued until the station passes the inspection.

• If the application is deficient or denied, BAR will notify you within 14 days of receipt the application. BAR cannot process a deficient application until all required information and fees are provided.

After the application has been approved and the license issued, you can conveniently print your license online. Licensees most post licenses and and required signs. To learn more, visit Sign and license display requirements.