Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024
(a)
Any person ("applicant") seeking licensure as a vehicle safety systems
technician shall submit a completed application which includes all of the
following:
(1) The nonrefundable application
fee of $10.00.
(2) Proof of
successful completion of the Bureau's initial licensing examination for vehicle
safety systems technicians ("initial licensing examination"), specified in
subdivision (c) of this section. "Proof of successful completion" shall mean
the applicant completed the forms, required by PSI Services LLC (PSI),
necessary to consent to and direct submission of the applicant's examination
results electronically to the Bureau by PSI, and that such results list the
applicant's name, applicant identifying number, and that the applicant passed
the examination.
(3) The following
applicant identifying information:
(A) Full
legal name;
(B) Social Security
number;
(C) Information from a
government-issued photo identification, including issuing authority, document
title, and number;
(D) Physical
address;
(E) Mailing
address;
(F) Telephone number;
and
(G) Email address, if
any.
(4) A current
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification in
each of the following areas:
(A) Suspension
and Steering (A-4);
(B) Brakes
(A-5); and
(C)
Electrical/Electronic Systems (A-6).
(5) The following additional
applicant-identifying information, to expedite the application process, if
applicable:
(A) Whether the applicant is
serving, or has previously served, in the United States Armed Forces.
(B) Whether the applicant is an honorably
discharged member of the United States Armed Forces. If the applicant
affirmatively states they meet this criterion, they shall provide the following
documentation with the application to receive expedited review: a certificate
of release or discharge from active duty (DD-214) or other documentary evidence
showing date and type of discharge.
(C) Whether the applicant is married to or in
a domestic partnership or other legal union with an active-duty member of the
United States Armed Forces assigned to a duty station in California under
official active-duty military orders. If the applicant affirmatively states
they meet this criterion, they shall provide the following documentation along
with the application to receive expedited review: certificate of marriage,
certificate of domestic partnership, or proof of other legal union; a copy of
the applicant's spouse's or partner's military orders reflecting assignment to
a California duty station; and proof of being licensed to operate a vehicle
safety systems inspection station in another state, or U.S. territory or
district.
(D) Whether the applicant
was admitted to the United States as a refugee, has been granted asylum by the
Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General of the United States, or
has a special immigrant visa (SIV). If the applicant affirmatively states they
meet any of these criteria, they shall provide any of the following items of
documentation, as applicable, with the application to receive expedited review:
(i) Form I-94, arrival/departure record, with
an admission class code such as "RE" (refugee) or "AY" (asylee) or other
information designating the person a refugee or asylee;
(ii) Special Immigrant Visa that includes the
"SI" or "SQ";
(iii) Permanent
Resident Card (Form I-551), commonly known as a "green card", with a category
designation indicating that the person was admitted as a refugee or asylee;
or
(iv) An order from a court of
competent jurisdiction or other documentary evidence that provides reasonable
assurances to the Bureau that the applicant qualifies for expedited licensure
pursuant to section 135.4 of the Code.
(6) Whether the applicant has been convicted
of any crime or offense for which a license may be denied pursuant to section
480 of the Code.
(7) Applicants are
required to disclose convictions under California Health and Safety Code
sections
11357(b),
(c), or (d), or section 11360(b), which are
less than two years old.
(8)
Whether, within the preceding seven years from the date of application, the
applicant has ever had a license, registration, or certification that was
formally disciplined by a licensing board in or outside of California,
including the Bureau, or any program in the Department of Consumer Affairs.
"Discipline" for purposes of this section includes reproval, suspension,
revocation, probation, or any other form of restriction placed on the license,
registration, or certification.
(9)
If the applicant answers affirmatively to any of the items in subdivisions
(a)(6) or (a)(8) of this section, the applicant shall provide a written
statement, detailing each criminal conviction and disciplinary action, on a
separate sheet of paper. For each criminal conviction, the statement shall
include: the date and place of arrest, name of the court that heard the case,
court case number, code section(s) violated, brief explanation of the
offense(s), and the restriction(s) imposed. For each disciplinary action, the
written statement shall include the date and nature of the disciplinary action,
name and location of the public agency, and every fine and restriction
imposed.
(10) A certification,
signed by the applicant under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of
California, that all statements made in the application and all supporting
documents provided by the applicant to the Bureau are true and
correct.
(b) The
abandonment date for an application that has been returned to the applicant as
incomplete shall be 12 months from the date of returning the application, in
accordance with section 142 of the Code. An applicant who abandons an
application must submit a new application meeting the requirements of this
section to obtain Bureau licensure as a vehicle safety systems
technician.
(c)
(1) Notice of Eligibility. The Bureau shall
review the application submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) of this section,
determine that no grounds for denial exist pursuant to section 480 of the Code,
and that all information required by subdivisions (a)(1) and (a)(3) through
(a)(10) of this section have been submitted ("determination of eligibility").
Once the Bureau makes a determination of eligibility, the Bureau shall mail the
applicant a written and dated notice, within the timeframe specified in section
3303.2(b) of this
Chapter, informing them of all of the following:
(A) the applicant is eligible to take the
initial licensing examination;
(B)
the applicant must schedule, take, and pass the initial licensing examination
within 90 days of the Bureau's written notice or the Bureau shall reject their
application as incomplete; and
(C)
information for the applicant to contact PSI to schedule the examination,
including the web site address, email address, telephone number, and mailing
address.
(2) Form and
Content of Licensing Examination. The initial licensing examination shall be a
computer-based test that contains questions on inspection and diagnosis of
vehicle safety systems, as defined in section
3303(s) of this
Chapter, and is administered by PSI.
(3) Applicant's Responsibilities. Upon
receipt of written notice of approval from the Bureau, as specified in this
section, an applicant is responsible for contacting PSI to schedule a test date
and examination site location, paying PSI's nonrefundable fees to take the
examination, and complying with all PSI test center procedures and
rules.
(4) Re-examination
Instructions. If the applicant receives notice from PSI that they have not
passed the initial licensing examination, the applicant may re-take the
examination by contacting PSI to schedule a new test date and examination site
location and paying PSI's nonrefundable fees.
(5) Re-examination Limitations. After two
unsuccessful attempts to pass the examination within 90 days of receiving
notice of eligibility from the Bureau, as provided in subdivision (c)(1) of
this section, the application shall be deemed incomplete, and the applicant
shall submit a new application if they wish to again seek licensure as a
vehicle safety systems technician, as provided in subdivision (a) of this
section.
(d) Vehicle
safety systems technician licenses shall expire two years from the date of
issuance unless renewed prior to the expiration date, in accordance with this
section. No person shall engage in the activities of a vehicle safety systems
technician unless the person holds a current and active license and is employed
at a licensed vehicle safety systems inspection station.
(e) A vehicle safety systems technician shall
notify the Bureau in writing of any material changes to the information
submitted to the Bureau -- under subdivision (a)(2) of this section -- within
fourteen (14) days of the date of making any changes, or receiving notice of
any change in the case of criminal convictions and disciplinary matters
referenced in subdivisions (a)(6) and (a)(8) of this section.
(f) As a condition of renewal, a vehicle
safety systems technician shall submit a renewal fee of $10.00 and a completed
renewal application to the Bureau containing the information specified in
subdivision (a) of this section prior to the expiration date of their license,
or as otherwise specified in this subdivision. No additional testing shall be
required for license renewal provided the vehicle safety systems technician
licensee renews their technician license within 30 days after the date of the
license's expiration. If the technician submits the renewal fee after the
license's expiration date, a delinquency fee of $5.00 shall be assessed in
addition to the $10.00 renewal fee, pursuant to section 163.5 of the Code. If
more than 30 days have passed since the license expiration date, the license
shall not be renewed and the license shall expire. If the individual seeks to
operate as a licensed vehicle safety systems technician again, they shall
submit a new application and fee, as specified in subdivision (a) of this
section.
(g) In addition to any of
the applicable grounds provided in section 9889.2 of the Code, an application
for licensure or renewal as a vehicle safety systems technician may be denied
for any of the following reasons:
(1) For
denial of an application for licensure of a vehicle safety systems inspection
station or technician, any grounds for denial authorized by section 480 of the
Code;
(2) Noncompliance with any
provision in this Article; or
(3)
Providing any false or misleading information to the Department or
Bureau.
Note: Authority cited: Sections 9882 and 9888.5, Business
and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 152.6, 163.5, 9888.2 and 9888.5,
Business and Professions Code.
