North Dakota | Online Smoke School
VR Smoke School provides EPA Method 9 opacity observer certification that may be used by professionals working in North Dakota. The certification is issued through an EPA-approved virtual smoke school program and can be used wherever visible emissions observations are required by federal or state air quality regulations.
After successfully completing the visual opacity test, students receive the same EPA Method 9 certification that is issued through traditional in-person smoke school training programs. These certifications may be used by inspectors, consultants, and facility personnel who perform visible emissions observations in North Dakota to meet requirements administered by the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality.
The VR Smoke School platform delivers the same EPA-recognized training standards used in conventional smoke schools while allowing students to complete training and testing remotely using virtual reality technology.
Watch: North Dakota EPA Method 9 Certification
Video: North Dakota EPA Method 9 Certification (Now Virtual)
Can North Dakota Observers Use Our Virtual Smoke School?
Yes. Individuals working in North Dakota may obtain their EPA Method 9 certification using the VR Smoke School platform. Observers receive the same EPA Method 9 certification that is issued through a traditional smoke school program.
EPA Method 9 certification is valid for six months. The visual testing procedures, grading standards, and certification requirements are identical to those used at in-person smoke schools.
For a complete explanation of how our EPA Method 9 certification process works, visit our EPA Method 9 certification process page.
EPA ALT-152 Approved Virtual Smoke School
VR Smoke School operates as an approved provider under the EPA’s ALT-152 alternative method . ALT-152 allows qualified observers to complete EPA Method 9 opacity certification using an approved virtual training and testing environment.
Before receiving EPA approval, ALT-152 programs must demonstrate that their training system produces results equal to or better than conventional smoke school instruction. This includes strict requirements for smoke generation, video capture, testing procedures, and student performance validation.
Documentation of our EPA approval can be viewed here .
How North Dakota Students Earn Method 9 Certification
VR Smoke School allows students in North Dakota to complete the entire certification process without traveling to a scheduled smoke school event. The online platform includes lecture material, practice sessions, and the official visual opacity evaluation.
Students can train at their own pace before attempting the certification test. Once the visual test is completed on an approved VR headset, the EPA Method 9 certification is issued immediately upon payment.
More details are available on our virtual smoke school certification process page.
Why North Dakota Observers Choose VR Smoke School
Traveling to an in-person smoke school can require significant time and expense. The VR Smoke School program provides a modern alternative that allows observers to complete certification from virtually any location.
- Train Anytime – Begin training immediately without waiting for scheduled smoke school dates
- Remote Certification – Complete the entire process from your office or home
- Consistent Testing Conditions – Controlled testing eliminates weather-related issues
- EPA-Validated Accuracy - Results supported by EPA research (view study)
- Lower Total Cost - No travel or multi-day training expenses
Learn more on our virtual smoke school benefits page .
Cost of EPA Method 9 Certification for North Dakota Students
VR Smoke School uses a pay-only-when-you-pass pricing model designed to reduce the overall cost of certification.
Students receive unlimited access to training materials and practice evaluations at no cost. Payment is only required after successfully completing the official opacity observation test.
The certification fee is $250, which is often significantly less expensive than attending a traditional smoke school that requires travel and lodging.
Additional pricing information is available on our smoke school pricing page .
Questions About EPA Method 9 Certification?
If you are unsure whether VR Smoke School meets your project or regulatory requirements, our team can help.
Visit our Smoke School FAQ page for answers to common questions about certification, visual testing, and EPA approval.
You can also contact our smoke school specialists . Our instructors helped develop the ALT-152 methodology with the U.S. EPA and bring more than 45 years of combined smoke school training experience.
Start EPA Method 9 Training Today
Create your free VR Smoke School account and begin training immediately. Registration takes less than 30 seconds and provides full access to the lecture and practice opacity observations.
No credit card is required to begin training.