Section 3303.2 - Review of Applications for Licensure, Registration and Certification; Processing Time(a) An applicant for an initial license, registration, or certification shall be informed in writing within 14 days whether the application is complete and accepted for filing or is incomplete and what specific information is required.(b) An applicant for initial licensure of a vehicle safety systems inspection or smog check station shall be informed in writing, within 45 days after completion of the application, of the Bureau's decision whether the applicant meets the requirements for licensure. Inspection of the applicant's station shall be performed during that time period. In the event that the inspection indicates a deficiency, the time period may be extended by that time necessary for correcting the deficiency.(c) An applicant for initial licensure as a smog check technician shall be informed in writing, within 70 days after completion of the application, of the Bureau's decision whether the applicant meets the requirements to take the technician examination.(d) An applicant for initial licensure as a vehicle safety systems inspection technician (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle safety systems technician" in this Article) shall be informed in writing, within 120 days after completion of the application, of the Bureau's decision whether the applicant meets the requirements for licensure. This period may be extended by the time necessary for rescheduling an examination if the applicant fails the examination or fails to take the examination at the time first scheduled. (1) Applicants applying for initial licensure as a vehicle safety systems technician under section 3314.1.1 of this Chapter shall be exempt from any requirement to take an initial licensing examination to qualify for licensure under that section. This subdivision shall become inoperative on March 27, 2025.(e) An applicant for initial registration as an automotive repair dealer shall be informed in writing, within 45 days after completion of the application, of the Bureau's decision whether the applicant meets the requirements for registration.(f) An applicant for initial licensure as a fleet facility shall be informed in writing, within 15 days after completion of the application, of the Bureau's decision whether the applicant meets the requirements for licensure.(g) An applicant for certification as an instructor of Smog check technicians shall be informed in writing, within 45 days after completion of the application, as to whether the applicant meets the requirements for certification.(h) An applicant for initial certification as an institution providing training to Smog check technicians shall be informed in writing, within 70 days after completion of the application, of the Bureau's decision as to whether the applicant meets the requirements for certification. Inspection of the applicant's training facility shall be performed during that time period. In the event that the inspection indicates a deficiency, the time period may be extended by that time necessary for correcting the deficiency.(i) An applicant applying for certification as a Gold Shield station shall be informed in writing, within 45 days after the Bureau has received a completed Gold Shield Application form (GSR-1 (08/05/97)) which is incorporated by reference, of the Bureau's decision that the station meets, or does not meet, the eligibility requirements, or the basis for disapproving the certification. Inspection of the applicant's station shall be performed during that time period. In the event that the inspection indicates a deficiency, the time period may be extended by that time necessary for correcting the deficiency. A representative of the Bureau may make an inspection of the applicant's station. A certification may be issued only for an applicant that meets the specifications contained in Article 10 of this Chapter.(j) "Completion of the application" as used in this section means that a completed application and required fees have been filed by the applicant and received by the Bureau.(k) The minimum, maximum, and median processing times for initial licensure, or a Gold Shield (GS) station certification, from the time of receipt of the initial application until the Bureau made a final decision on the application, or the GS station certification, were: | Application Type | Minimum Processing Time | Median Processing Time | Maximum Processing Time |
| Automotive Repair Dealer | 17 days | 39 days | 97 days |
| Smog Check Inspector | 2 days | 9 days | 112 days |
| Smog Check and Vehicle Safety Systems Technician | 21 days | 50 days | 120 days |
| Smog Check and Vehicle Safety Systems Inspection Station | 3 days | 22 days | 120 days |
| Fleet Facility | 1 day | 10 days | 28 days |
| Technician Training Institution | 10 days | 61 days | 347 days |
| Technician Training Instructor | 2 days | 22 days | 264 days |
| Gold Shield Station | 30 days | 42 days | 72 days |
(l) An applicant for certification to blend, fill or sell emissions inspection system (EIS) calibration gases pursuant to section 44036.5 of the Health and Safety Code shall be informed in writing, within 70 days after completion of the application of the bureau's decision as to whether the applicant meets the requirements for certification. The minimum, maximum and median processing times for initial certification for such applicants from the time of receipt of the initial application until the bureau made a final decision on the application has been as follows: | (1) Minimum | 40 days |
| (2) Median | 53 days |
| (3) Maximum | 73 days |
Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 16, § 3303.2
Note: Authority cited: Sections 9882 and 9888.5, Business and Professions Code; Sections 44001.5, 44002, 44014, 44031, 44036.5 and 44045.5, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Section 44014.2, Health and Safety Code; and Section 20, Title 1, Government Code.
Note: Authority cited: Sections 9882 and 9887.1, Business and Professions Code; Sections 44001.5, 44002, 44014, 44031, 44036.5 and 44045.5, Health and Safety Code; and Section 15376, Government Code. Reference: Section 15376, Government Code; Section 44014.2, Health and Safety Code; and Section 20, Title 1, Government Code.
1. New section filed 11-25-83; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 83, No. 48).
2. Amendment filed 9-26-90; operative 10-26-90 (Register 90, No. 44).
3. Editorial correction of printing error of subsection (j) Brake Adjuster median from printed 21 to correct 50 days (Register 91, No. 46).
4. Amendment filed 8-20-91; operative 9-19-91 (Register 92, No. 1).
5. Amendment of subsection (c), new subsection (d), subsection relettering, and amendment of subsections (g)-(h) and Note filed 6-23-95 as an emergency; operative 6-23-95 (Register 95, No. 25). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 10-21-95 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
6. Certificate of Compliance as to 6-23-95 order transmitted to OAL 10-20-95 and filed 12-6-95 (Register 95, No. 49).
7. New subsection (i), subsection relettering, amendment of newly designated subsection (k), and amendment of Note filed 4-23-97 as an emergency; operative 4-23-97 (Register 97, No. 17). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 8-21-97 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
8. Certificate of Compliance as to 4-23-97 order, including further amendment of subsection (i), transmitted to OAL 8-19-97 and filed 9-30-97 (Register 97, No. 40).
9. Amendment of subsection (l) filed 6-9-2003; operative 7-9-2003 (Register 2003, No. 24).
10. Change without regulatory effect amending subsections (g)-(i) and (k)-(l) filed 10-11-2006 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2006, No. 41).
11. Amendment of section and NOTE filed 3-27-2024; operative 3/27/2024 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2024, No. 14).