Subject Top Page: Independent Contractor Program

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This page last reviewed June 30, 2009

Background

The Independent Contractor program was designed to approve private independent testing contractors for sources who may choose to have the contractors conduct compliance testing instead of the Air Resources Board (ARB) for ARB required testing. ARB does not require that testing contractors be approved prior to conducting testing in California. Approval under this program is only required by ARB if the contractor wishes to conduct compliance testing instead of ARB. Please check with the local District where the test will be performed to find out about their requirements.

Who is Approved?

A list of approved Independent Contractors is available.

The Independent Contractor Appendix lists additional locations/contacts for approved Independent Contractors.

Individual Executive Orders that approved the Independent Contractors are also available online.

How Can My Company Get Approved Too?

ARB will consider approving private independent testing contractors for published, finalized test methods used for compliance here in California. Generally, these are ARB Stationary Source Test Methods. We will also consider approving companies for some United States Environmental Protection Agency Test Methods, local District test methods, or ASTM methods, but only if the methods are used for compliance purposes in California. In order to obtain approval an independent testing contractor is evaluated against standardized criteria. All the contractors that are included on the approval list had the proper equipment and qualified personnel to conduct the tests at the time we evaluated them. More information, and a copy of our application package, may be found at our application Web site.

Other Links and Information

Once begun, District-mandated compliance tests should only be suspended for a valid mechanical breakdown. Preliminary results indicating the source to be in violation are not a valid reason to halt such testing. An advisory (Advisory Number 58 - PDF) on this issue is available.

Click here for information on Stationary Source Test Methods.

Click here to subscribe to the Independent Contractor Listserver and receive the updated lists and other information on this program by email.

Also see other links the local Air Pollution Control Districts. Not sure what District applies to your situation? Use the District Look Up by ZIP Code, City or County to find out.

Contact Information

For more information on the Independent Contractor Program, please contact Kathryn Gugeler at (916) 322-0221.

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