Diploma in EPA/CARB: Emissions, OBDII and Certificates
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in EPA/CARB emissions, OBD II and certification. 8 modules covering the US emissions regulatory framework, test procedures, OBD II, certification by engine families, in-use compliance, electrified vehicles and labelling, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in EPA/CARB: Emissions, OBDII and Certificates — studying from New Zealand
New Zealand has a modest automotive industry, with most vehicle engineering centred on aftermarket parts, commercial vehicle body building, and the import and distribution of vehicles. Motorsport is a significant sector, with Hamilton and the Waikato region hosting a dense cluster of racing teams and engineering firms, and the Motorsport New Zealand body governing the national championships. Automotive engineers commonly work for importers, dealer networks, fleet operators and specialist fabrication businesses, and the sector also serves the country's large agricultural vehicle market.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$2,160 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
Is automotive engineering a regulated title in New Zealand, and which bodies matter here?
The title Chartered Professional Engineer is regulated and administered by Engineering New Zealand, which sets competence standards for registration. Vehicle standards and certification in New Zealand are overseen by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by a national body, so recognition by employers or Engineering New Zealand is not something SEIUM can promise.
What kinds of automotive and motorsport employers hire engineers in New Zealand?
New Zealand's automotive sector includes vehicle importers, workshops and fleet operators, motorsport teams and specialist fabrication and engineering firms, along with companies supplying parts and servicing. Roles often reward hands-on experience and clear technical reporting. A private qualification can support an application, but whether an employer values it is their decision and cannot be assumed.
How much time does a programme need, and can an employer help fund it?
Specialist courses take about 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and master's programmes 1,900 hours, all online in English with an assigned technical tutor and a final project. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Choose a pace you can sustain alongside work, and check with your employer early about any funding or study leave arrangements.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the US emissions regulatory framework.
Apply EPA test procedures.
Design OBD II diagnostic plans.
Manage certification by families.
Meet in-use verification requirements.
Certify electrified vehicles.
Ensure correct labelling and consumer information.
Who it's for
- Emissions certification engineers preparing EPA and CARB applications.
- OBD calibration engineers developing and demonstrating diagnostic monitors.
- Regulatory managers responsible for the US market.
- Emissions laboratory technicians running chassis dynamometer tests.
- In-use compliance analysts handling verification, warranty and recalls.
- Aftertreatment systems engineers working on catalysts and evaporative systems.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to join a vehicle manufacturer.
What you'll work with
- Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) (US federal air quality law)
- 40 CFR Part 86 (control of emissions from vehicles)
- 40 CFR Part 1066 (vehicle testing procedures)
- 13 CCR 1968.2 (California OBD II requirements)
- California LEV IV and Advanced Clean Cars II (California vehicle emissions programmes)
- 40 CFR Part 600 (fuel economy)
- SAE J1979 (OBD diagnostic modes)
- AVL Concerto
- HORIBA STARS
- Vector CANape
- ETAS INCA
8 modules
1.1The Clean Air Act and its titles1.2Role of the EPA1.3California Air Resources Board and its waiver1.4States adopting the California standards1.5EPA Tier 3 standards1.6California LEV IV standards1.7Advanced Clean Cars II1.8Greenhouse gases and fuel economy1.9Timeline of future standards1.10Case study: regulatory map for a hybrid model
2.1FTP-75 test cycle2.2US06 and SC03 cycles2.3HWFET highway cycle2.4Evaporative emissions tests2.5ORVR refuelling tests2.6Low-temperature tests2.7Certification fuels2.8Laboratories and equipment2.9Correlation with EPA laboratories2.10Lab: analysis of FTP-75 cycle results
3.1Requirements of regulation 13 CCR 1968.23.2Catalyst and oxygen sensor monitors3.3Misfire monitors3.4Evaporative system monitors3.5Malfunction indicator lamp3.6Diagnostic trouble codes (DTC)3.7In-use monitor performance ratio (IUMPR)3.8OBD demonstrations3.9Deficiencies and penalties3.10Practical exercise: OBD monitor demonstration plan
4.1Test groups and durability groups4.2Certification application4.3Emission data vehicle4.4Deterioration factors4.5Durability testing4.6Verify information system4.7EPA certificate of conformity4.8CARB executive order4.9Certification timelines4.10Workshop: family structure for a model range
5.1In-use verification programme5.2Testing of customer vehicles5.3Emissions warranty5.4Emissions defect reports5.5Emissions recalls5.6Defeat devices5.7Lessons from the diesel emissions case5.8Penalties and settlements5.9Agency audits5.10Case study: responding to a defeat device investigation
6.1Certification of hybrids and plug-in hybrids6.2Electric range testing6.3Battery durability requirements6.4ZEV credit programme6.5Labelling of electric vehicles6.6OBD for electrified vehicles6.7Battery information requirements6.8Charging standards6.9Expected regulatory developments6.10Practical exercise: calculating ZEV credits for a model range
7.1Emission control label7.2Fuel economy label7.3Contents of the Monroney label7.4Smog and greenhouse gas ratings7.5Consumer information7.6Fuel consumption advertising7.7Service information for workshops7.8Access to repair information7.9Labelling errors7.10Workshop: review of a model's fuel economy label
8.1Selection of the vehicle8.2Identification of applicable requirements8.3Family structure8.4Test plan8.5Design of the OBD plan8.6In-use compliance plan8.7Vehicle labelling plan8.8Conclusions and areas for improvement8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulations and applied exercises. The working software is AVL Concerto, HORIBA STARS, Vector CANape and ETAS INCA, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures: the FTP-75 cycle on a chassis dynamometer, OBD monitor demonstration and evaporative emissions testing. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.
Standards covered: Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.), 40 CFR Part 86, 40 CFR Part 1066, 13 CCR 1968.2, California LEV IV and Advanced Clean Cars II, 40 CFR Part 600, SAE J1979.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with AVL Concerto, HORIBA STARS, Vector CANape and ETAS INCA, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a suitable computer and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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