SMOKE SCHOOL - ANYTIME, ANYWHERE
VR Smoke School is an EPA-approved alternative to traditional in-person smoke school, allowing you to earn your EPA Method 9 certification online.
No Headset Required
Register for your free account now and have instant access to our online program from any laptop or desktop. Review the lecture & practice testing at no cost. A VR headset is only required when you are ready to get certified.
Designed for VR Newbies
Our virtual smoke school is easy to use—no VR experience needed. The test on the headset is identical to the desktop version. Sit back and relax - it's as easy as visiting a website and watching a few videos.
Why a VR Headset?
A VR headset is only needed for certification. Its purpose is to block ambient light and maintain video quality. An approved VR headset costs less than $300 and can be shared by an unlimited number of users.
Free to Use - Pay When You Pass
Instant access to our virtual smoke school program. No risk. No credit card required. Only pay $250 when you pass on an approved VR headset and choose to unlock your certificate.
How it Works
- Our Virtual Smoke School
VR Smoke School is an EPA-approved virtual smoke school that allows you to earn EPA Method 9 certification virtually instead of attending an in-person smoke school.
Sign Up For Your Free Account
It only takes a minute to sign-up and have full access to our online lecture and our virtual smoke school. Practice & test as much as you like from any computer or VR headset. No credit card required. No VR headset needed to practice. No risk.
Review the Free Online Lecture
Our online lecture covers EPA Method 9, 22, 203a-c and alternative test methods using images, videos and quizzes developed from 50 years of smoke school training experience. An exam is offered at the end of the test to earn your certificate of completion. The lecture is accessible at anytime from any desktop or laptop.
Take Our Virtual Smoke School Test
Our virtual smoke school test consists of standard values, practice questions and the certification test just like an in-person smoke school. You can take the visual test as often as you like on any computer or VR headset. Only tests taken on an approved VR headset are eligible for EPA Method 9 certification.
Pay When You Pass - $250
When you have successfully completed the visual test on an approved VR headset, you can choose to validate your EPA Method 9 certification for $250 and receive your certificate. There are no other fees. Your EPA Method 9 certification is valid for 6 months - just like in-person smoke school.
Recertify Anytime
EPA Method 9 certification is valid for 6 months. Simply retake the VR visual test to recertify. Review of the online lecture is only required once (before the initial test). An email reminder will be sent before your certification expires.
Need a more detailed explanation of the VR Smoke School process?
Learn MoreBenefits of VR Smoke School
Our virtual smoke school has significant benefits over in-person smoke school and is built and backed by over 50 years of smoke school training experience.
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Certify Anytime
Earn your certification any day of the week and any time of the day. No more scheduling conflicts.
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Certify Anywhere
Our virtual smoke school can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. Underserved areas are a thing of the past.
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Reduced Certification Cost
No travel expenses, no overnight stays, no per diems, no overtime and quicker EPA Method 9 certification.
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Pay When You Pass
When you successfully complete the VR visual test, you can choose to unlock your certification for $250. There are no other fees.
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No Inclement Weather
No more dealing with rain or wind. Earn your EPA Method 9 certification from the comfort of your home or office.
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More Accurate
Three independent studies have shown that students trained with virtual smoke schools assess smoke plumes with more accuracy than students trained at in-person smoke school.
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Friendly, US-Based Support
Our team has over 50 years of smoke school training experience and we love to share our knowledge.
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Unlimited Smoke School Lecture
Access our comprehensive smoke school lecture anytime. Includes interactive elements, videos, quizzes and printable certificate.
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Consistent Testing
The smoke videos have consistent plumes and backgrounds absent of environmental factors.
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Better for the Environment
Eliminates the need for thousands of annual in-person smoke schools and the associated air pollution.
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Reduced Pressure
The VR Smoke School test environment is private and you can take the test as much as you want. Only pay when you pass.
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Learn from Your Mistakes
Review any smoke videos from your test to learn from missed readings.
VR SMOKE SCHOOL PRICING
Our pricing model is as simple as it gets. Everything is free to use. Only pay when you pass the visual test on an approved VR headset to receive your EPA Method 9 certification.
How much is an approved VR headset?
Under $300 from most retailers including Wal-Mart & Amazon. One headset can be used indefinitely for an unlimited number of users. The headset is yours and not locked to our program. View approved VR headsets.
COST COMPARISON
TRUE COST OF EPA METHOD 9 CERTIFICATION
VR SMOKE SCHOOL
IN-PERSON SMOKE SCHOOL
VR Smoke School Requirements
ALT-152 is an EPA-approved method for earning EPA Method 9 certification. ALT-152 replaces in-person smoke school with a virtual smoke school. VR Smoke School's program is EPA approved and meets the requirements of ALT-152. The EPA Method 9 certification you receive from us is the same as one received from an in-person smoke school.
VR Smoke School Approval Letter
ALT-152 requires that each virtual smoke school program be reviewed and approved by the USEPA. A copy of our approval letter can be found here.
Approved VR Headsets
Our online smoke school can be accessed from any desktop, laptop or VR headset. When you’re ready to take the visual test and earn your EPA Method 9 certification, you’ll need a VR headset. The headset eliminates ambient light and provides consistent visual conditions required for certification. Tests taken on a computer or monitor are for practice only and cannot be used for EPA Method 9 certification. The following headsets are approved for use with the VR Smoke School program.
Any of the approved headsets can be purchased from retailers such as Wal-Mart, Best Buy or Amazon. Headset prices range from $250 to $500 depending on the model. All approved headsets are wireless, easy to use and have the Meta browser installed. The Meta browser must be used to access the VR Smoke School program.
Because you own the headset and our program is web-based, a single VR headset can be used for an unlimited number of users and tests.
Internet speeds of at least 25Mbps are recommended to ensure smooth operation.
Online Lecture Requirement
ALT-152 requires the review of an online lecture before initial certification using the VR headset. Our online lecture is free to use and covers all visible emissions observation methods. A certificate can be printed after successful completion of our online lecture.
Who Can Use ALT-152?
FEDERALLY-REGULATED SOURCES: ALT-152 is an EPA-approved alternative method for Method 9 certification and may be used for any federally regulated source.
STATE-REGULATED SOURCES: Most states adopt EPA-approved alternative methods for state-regulated sources. Some states may have special requirements or require independent review of each alternative. We have contacted every state to ensure EPA Method 9 certification from the VR Smoke School program is accepted for state-regulated sources. Check out our State Status page to see the status of your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to the most common questions about VR Smoke School certification
Still have questions?
Our team has over 50 years of smoke school training experience. We're here to help with any questions about certification, testing, or VR requirements.
Get in TouchAbout Us
VR Smoke School is backed by 50 years of smoke school training experience. We are experts in all visible emissions observation methods and co-authored the virtual smoke school method (ALT-152) with the USEPA.
We are constantly innovating and seeking ways to improve. If you have any feedback or questions regarding the VR Smoke School program, please fill out the form and we will respond promptly.
Built & Based in the U.S.A.