Does Washington Have Emissions Testing?

No, Washington does not require emissions testing. The state discontinued its vehicle emissions testing program on January 1, 2020, after 38 years of operation.

Washington's Emissions Testing Policy

Washington law does not currently require emissions testing of motor vehicles. According to the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Previous Emissions Testing Program

The program began in 1982 with six test sites in King and Snohomish counties to address air quality concerns in the state's most polluted urban areas.

Clark County: Parts of Clark County were required to participate in the emissions testing program to address air quality concerns in the Vancouver metropolitan area. The program was suspended on January 1, 2020.

King County: King County maintained an emissions testing program as part of the greater Seattle metropolitan area's air quality management efforts. The program was suspended on January 1, 2020.

Pierce County: Parts of Pierce County, including the Tacoma area, were required to conduct emissions testing. The program was suspended on January 1, 2020.

Snohomish County: Parts of Snohomish County participated in the emissions testing program as part of the Puget Sound region's air quality efforts. The program was suspended on January 1, 2020.

Spokane County: Parts of Spokane County were required to conduct emissions testing to address local air quality concerns. The program was suspended on January 1, 2020.

In 2005, the Washington State Legislature passed legislation to phase out emission testing based on projections from the Department of Ecology that the program would no longer be needed by 2020.