About Us

Smoke School

The department requires that individuals engaged in the observation and documentation of visible emissions be certified pursuant to the requirements of EPA Method 9. The training and certification program is generally known as visible emissions certification or, more commonly, "smoke school".

Starting in February 26, 2004, the department allows any smoke school training provider that meets the rule requirements to offer courses in Florida, and we recognize the certification of individuals that attend such courses.

The requirements that individuals must attend a classroom session every three years and field certification every six months in order to keep their certification valid did not change. However, the rule requirements allow for shorter classroom sessions, and the department no longer requires that individuals successfully complete a written exam at the end of the classroom session. Also, the rule clarifies that the classroom and field certifications are separate, so that individuals no longer have to repeat their classroom training early because of a lapse in field certification. The addition of other training providers has increased the numbers and locations of smoke schools within the state.