EPA Method 9 Certification in California
VR Smoke School provides EPA Method 9 opacity observer certification through an EPA-approved virtual smoke school program for professionals working in California. This certification may be used where visible emissions observations are required under applicable federal rules and state air quality programs overseen by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
Observers who pass the required visual opacity evaluation receive the same EPA Method 9 certification issued through traditional in-person smoke school programs. The certification confirms that the observer has demonstrated the ability to accurately evaluate visible emissions from regulated sources.
Our platform allows California students to complete training, practice, and certification testing remotely using approved virtual reality technology while following the same EPA performance and grading standards used in conventional smoke schools.
Watch: California EPA Method 9 Certification
Watch our California overview video.
Is VR Smoke School Allowed for EPA Method 9 Certification in California?
Yes. Individuals working in California may obtain EPA Method 9 certification through VR Smoke School and use that certification when performing visible emissions observations required for regulated sources that call for EPA Method 9 observations.
After passing the official visual test, observers receive an EPA Method 9 certification that remains valid for six months. The testing procedures, grading standards, and certification requirements are the same as those used in traditional in-person smoke school programs.
You can review the full process on our EPA Method 9 certification process page .
EPA-Approved ALT-152 Virtual Smoke School
VR Smoke School is an approved provider under the EPA’s ALT-152 alternative method . ALT-152 authorizes qualified observers to earn EPA Method 9 opacity certification through a virtual smoke school program that meets EPA requirements.
Before an ALT-152 provider can offer certification, the provider must satisfy strict EPA requirements for smoke generation, video quality, equipment, recordkeeping, and student performance validation. The provider must also demonstrate that training results are equivalent to or better than results achieved through traditional in-person smoke school instruction.
Our EPA approval letter is available here .
How to Obtain EPA Method 9 Certification in California
VR Smoke School allows California observers to complete the certification process online without attending a scheduled field smoke school. Students can review the lecture course, practice opacity readings, and complete the official visual evaluation through our remote platform.
This gives students the flexibility to prepare on their own schedule before taking the certification test on an approved VR headset.
More information is available on our virtual smoke school certification process page .
Benefits of Virtual Smoke School for California Students
For many California observers, attending a traditional smoke school can involve travel, scheduling challenges, and time away from work. Our virtual smoke school offers a more flexible and efficient alternative.
- Flexible Scheduling – Train and prepare on your own time
- No Travel Required – Complete the program remotely
- Controlled Testing Conditions – Eliminate weather-related visibility issues
- EPA-Validated Training Results - Performance supported by EPA-reviewed research (view study)
- Lower Overall Cost - Reduce travel and in-person training expenses
Learn more on our virtual smoke school benefits page .
EPA Method 9 Certification Cost for California Observers
VR Smoke School uses a straightforward pricing model designed to keep certification affordable.
Students receive access to training materials and practice exercises at no charge. Payment is only required after successfully passing the official visual opacity test.
The certification fee is $250, which is often much less than the total cost of attending an in-person smoke school program.
Additional information is available on our smoke school pricing page .
Questions About EPA Method 9 Certification?
Because ALT-152 and VR Smoke School are still new to many observers, some students want additional information before getting started.
Our Smoke School FAQ page answers common questions about EPA approval, testing procedures, and certification requirements.
You can also contact our smoke school specialists . Our team includes professionals who helped develop ALT-152 with the U.S. EPA and bring more than 45 years of smoke school experience.
Start Your EPA Method 9 Certification Online
Create a free account and begin training right away. Registration takes less than 30 seconds and gives you full access to lecture materials and practice opacity observations.
No credit card is required to get started.