BAR Released Updates on the Biometric Requirements Today

Today, September 19, 2022, BAR released some updates on the biometric requirements. 

"The biometric enrollment period begins October 1, 2022. During the enrollment period, all licensed Smog Check inspectors must complete biometric enrollment at a BAR field office to establish a palm data profile. Inspectors who have not enrolled by the mandatory start date for biometric palm scanner usage will be unable to perform BAR-OIS inspections."

"The mandatory start date for biometric palm scanner usage will be announced at least 30 days before the start date."

Our technicians today had difficulties registering for an appointment to register their palm vein scans. We would recommend persisting in trying to set an appointment in the meantime. We also heard from a BAR representative that technicians could walk-in to a field office before 12pm for palm vein scans starting October 1st, but the field office reserves the right to turn you away if they are busy. Also of note, BAR does not mention anything about being able to do palm vein scans on-site at your business, so that may no longer be an option.

The mandatory start date is still one of the biggest questions that everyone has. If we hear of a mandatory start date we will let you know as soon as possible. However, we believe that the mandatory start date will not be before the BAR-OIS biometric software update, which is slated for late November and which allows the palm vein scanner to work.

In the meantime, Emissions Depot is now an approved reseller of the palm vein scanner! You can check out the product here. This is a plug-and-play solution that will work when the BAR-OIS biometric software update is done.