BAR by the Numbers
Licensing Summary
(as of June 30, 2021)
| License1 Type | Number of Registrants/Licenses |
|---|---|
| Automotive Repair Dealer2 | 35,468 |
| Smog Check Test-and-Repair Station | 4,616 |
| Smog Check Test-Only Station | 1,971 |
| Smog Check Repair-Only Station | 41 |
| STAR Station3 | 3,832 |
| Brake Station | 891 |
| Lamp Station | 836 |
| Smog Check Inspector | 13,685 |
| Smog Check Repair Technician | 6,786 |
| Brake Adjuster | 1,048 |
| Lamp Adjuster | 930 |
1 California Business and Professions Code section 23 defines "license" as a license, certificate, registration, or other means to engage in a business or profession regulated by the code.
2 An automotive repair dealer holds a registration to conduct business in California.
3 A licensed Smog Check station holds a STAR certification if it meets certain performance criteria established in BAR regulations.
Top Business Types
(as of September 2021)
Business types are provided by automotive repair dealers upon licensure or renewal. This information is tied to the service category options displayed on BAR's Auto Shop Locator. Licensees seeking to update their business type information can complete a Name/Address/Corporate Officers or Directors form.
| Primary Business Types | Secondary Business Types |
|---|---|
| 1. General Repair | 1. General Repair |
| 2. Auto Body/Paint Shop | 2. Smog Check Station |
| 3. Smog Check Station | 3. Automotive Diagnostic Center |
| 4. Tire Shop | 4.Tune-Up/Oil and Lube |
| 5. New/Used Car Dealer | 5. Brake/Front End Alignment Shop |
| 6. Mobile Automotive Repair | 6. Tire Shop |
| 7. Transmission Repair Shop | 7. Preventative Maintenance |
| 8. Preventable Maintenance Service | 8. Engine Rebuilding/Repair |
| 9. Tune-Up/Oil and Lube | 9. Mobile Automotive Repair |
| 10. Glass Shop | 10. Auto Body/Paint Shop |
License Processing Times
(April - June 2021)
Initial License Applications
| License Type | Received | Approved | Average Processing Time (Days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Repair Dealer | 781 | 897 | 54 |
| Smog Check Test-and-Repair Station | 80 | 73 | 25 |
| Smog Check Test-Only Station | 50 | 48 | 32 |
| Smog Check Repair-Only Station | 1 | 0 | N/A |
| STAR Station | 87 | 54 | 13 |
| Brake Station | 12 | 10 | 25 |
| Lamp Station | 12 | 10 | 33 |
| Fleet Facility | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Certified Training Institution | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| Smog Check Inspector | 374 | 183 | 53 |
| Smog Check Repair Technician | 189 | 92 | 63 |
| Brake Adjuster | 244 | 66 | 46 |
| Lamp Adjuster | 268 | 49 | 44 |
| Certified Instructor | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| Total | 2,100 | 1,484 | 36 |
License Renewal Applications
| License Type | Received | Approved | Average Processing Time (Days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Repair Dealer | 9,318 | 9,318 | 5 |
| Smog Check Test-and-Repair Station | 1,109 | 1,109 | 5 |
| Smog Check Test-Only Station | 471 | 471 | 5 |
| Smog Check Repair-Only Station | 12 | 12 | 5 |
| STAR Station | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Brake Station | 214 | 214 | 5 |
| Lamp Station | 219 | 219 | 5 |
| Fleet Facility | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| Certified Training Institution | 18 | 18 | 7 |
| Smog Check Inspector | 1,631 | 1,631 | 5 |
| Smog Check Repair Technician | 822 | 822 | 5 |
| Brake Adjuster | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Lamp Adjuster | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Certified Instructor | 16 | 16 | 10 |
| Total | 13,830 | 13,830 | 6 |
All Licensing Applications
| Type | Received | Approved | Average Processing Time (Days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Applications | 2,100 | 1,484 | 36 |
| Renewal Applications | 13,830 | 13,830 | 6 |
| Total | 15,930 | 15,314 | 21 |
(July - September 2021)
Initial License Applications
| License Type | Received | Approved | Average Processing Time (Days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Repair Dealer | 866 | 539 | 39 |
| Smog Check Test-and-Repair Station | 68 | 55 | 22 |
| Smog Check Test-Only Station | 57 | 45 | 42 |
| Smog Check Repair-Only Station | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| STAR Station | 99 | 67 | 13 |
| Brake Station | 17 | 8 | 55 |
| Lamp Station | 17 | 8 | 55 |
| Fleet Facility | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| Certified Training Institution | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| Smog Check Inspector | 438 | 166 | 54 |
| Smog Check Repair Technician | 186 | 65 | 80 |
| Brake Adjuster | 196 | 51 | 49 |
| Lamp Adjuster | 205 | 44 | 47 |
| Certified Instructor | 1 | 0 | N/A |
| Total | 2,152 | 1,050 | 39 |
License Renewal Applications
| License Type | Received | Approved | Average Processing Time (Days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smog Check Test-and-Repair Station | 1,017 | 1,017 | 5 |
| Smog Check Test-Only Station | 489 | 489 | 5 |
| Smog Check Repair-Only Station | 14 | 14 | 5 |
| STAR Station | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Brake Station | 192 | 192 | 5 |
| Lamp Station | 184 | 184 | 5 |
| Fleet Facility | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| Certified Training Institution | 46 | 4 | 10 |
| Smog Check Inspector | 1,587 | 1,587 | 5 |
| Smog Check Repair Technician | 709 | 709 | 5 |
| Brake Adjuster | 42 | 42 | 5 |
| Lamp Adjuster | 36 | 36 | 5 |
| Certified Instructor | 14 | 10 | 6 |
| Total | 12,225 | 12,179 | 6 |
All Licensing Applications
| Type | Received | Approved | Average Processing Time (Days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Applications | 2,152 | 1,050 | 39 |
| Renewal Applications | 12,225 | 12,179 | 6 |
| Total | 14,377 | 13,229 | 23 |
Complaint Trends
(January - June 2021)
| Trend | Total Received | % |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Repair and Performance Repair, diagnosis, cooling systems, fuel systems, etc. |
2,108 | 35% |
| General Repair and Maintenance Brakes, suspension, steering, air conditioning/heat, etc. |
1,037 | 17% |
| Auto Body Auto body repair, auto glass, etc. |
790 | 13% |
| Other Motorcycle repair, improper lien sales, etc. |
613 | 10% |
| Transmission Automatic transmission, manual transmission/clutch, etc. |
471 | 8% |
| Smog Smog repair, test procedures, etc. |
386 | 6% |
| Used Car Transactions | 315 | 5% |
| Vehicle Warranty | 201 | 3% |
| Unlicensed Activity | 187 | 3% |