New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 20 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Chapter 11 - ALBUQUERQUE - BERNALILLO COUNTY AIR QUALITY CONTROL BOARD
Part 101 - MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION - CENTRALIZED
Section 20.11.101.22 - CERTIFICATION OF AIR CARE TECHNICIANS

Universal Citation: 20 NM Admin Code 20.11.101.22

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024

No person shall represent him or herself as a certified AIR CARE technician without being in possession of a duly authorized and currently valid certificate issued by the Program Manager. Certificates issued under this subsection shall be valid for 12 months unless the Program Manager subsequently requires re-certification sooner for a reason provided below in Subsection B of 20.11.101.22 NMAC.

A. Qualification Requirements for Air Care Technicians:

(1) A person desiring to be certified shall file an application with the Program Manager on forms provided by the Program. All certificates shall be issued by the Program. Before an applicant is granted a certificate, the applicant must demonstrate the general knowledge, skill and competence required by the Program and shall meet the training and testing requirements established by the Program Manager.

(2) The competency test required by this section shall include, but not be limited to, knowledge of the following:
(a) how to use a Program-approved emissions systems reference guide,

(b) basic understanding of possible causes and effects of timing and air/fuel ratio on emissions,

(c) how to perform, when applicable, high altitude adjustments as required by manufacturer's specifications,

(d) program requirements applicable to vehicles for which special time extensions may be needed,

(e) how to use on board diagnostics, latest shop diagnostic tools and instruments available to automotive emissions technicians,

(f) the provisions of the Emissions Control Systems Performance Warranty provided as required by Section 207(b) of the Federal Clean Air Act as it applies to the inspection,

(g) the emissions control equipment for 1975 and newer vehicles that are essential to satisfy 20.11.101.12 NMAC, and the ability to recognize equipment which is not necessary to repair or adjust in order to pass a vehicle emissions inspection, so the motorist's costs can be kept at a minimum,

(h) the regulations and procedures under which the Program operates.

(3) Individuals certified under this subsection shall inform the Program Manager within ten days of any change in legal name, employment status, or current mailing address. Failure to keep the Program Manager informed may be cause for revocation of certification. Each certified technician would be assigned a personal identification number, which will be used by the Program to correlate information in data audits.

(4) The Program Manager may waive those portions of the test described above in a, b, c, e, and g of Paragraph (2) of Subsection A of 20.11.101.22 NMAC upon the applicant's submittal and the Program's acceptance of current certification in engine repair and engine performance from the ASE, or other nationally recognized automotive certification authority acceptable to the Program Manager, or a showing of equivalent education and experience in emission control, testing and engine repair.

B. Re-qualification Requirements for Certified Air Care Technicians:

(1) The Program Manager will reissue certification to an AIR CARE technician who demonstrates updated competency as evidenced under the then-current requirements administered by the Program. Such re-qualification shall be required at the expiration of a current annual certificate or sooner as provided below.
(a) If the Board determines a need to update the qualifications of AIR CARE technicians prior to the annual re-certification period, holders of such certificates may be required to re-qualify.

(b) As a result of auditing or investigating consumer complaints, a certified AIR CARE technician may be required to re-qualify if the Program Manager determines that competency and related problems must be corrected in order to protect the public.

(2) Certified AIR CARE technicians must re-qualify within thirty (30) days prior to the date of expiration of the then-current certification. The Program shall mail written notification to the facility or station address of record to each active technician whose certificate is about to expire. The notice shall inform the technician of the necessity for re-qualification and the nature of the skills, systems or any updated procedures or retraining deemed necessary for performance of emissions repairs, which will comply with 20.11.101 NMAC. The notice shall state the deadline for re-certification.

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