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BAR demonstrates SimplyGo online workflows for educational certificates and business change requests
Summary
BAR licensing staff demonstrated new online change workflows (EdCERT uploads, business information changes, controlling‑individual changes) and said they will integrate renewals with the new system in coming months.
SACRAMENTO — Bureau of Automotive Repair licensing staff on April 28 demonstrated newly deployed online workflows in the SimplyGo platform that allow automotive repair dealers to upload educational certifications, update business information and submit controlling‑individual changes.
Why it matters: The digital workflows are intended to reduce paperwork and accelerate license updates for tens of thousands of ARDs. The bureau said the new forms produce signed, auditable documents and that licensing staff can process most change requests in three to five business days.
Cole Gandalman, the bureau’s business licensing manager, and Rebecca Guile of the licensing team demonstrated three workflows live: an educational‑certificate (EdCERT) upload and approval workflow, a business change request (address, phone, service type, mailing address) and a controlling‑individual change request (officer and responsible manager updates).
Key points from the demonstration: - EdCERT workflow: ARDs can upload certificates for nationally recognized industry credentials or bureau‑accepted training. BAR staff approve EdCERTs on the front end and the uploaded certification can appear on the public auto‑shop locator once approved. Staff cautioned that front‑end approvals happen during business hours and so uploads made at night will be processed the next business day. - Business change request: The workflow collects updated business name, address (Google lookup is used with a manual suite field), phone and service codes and produces a signed change form that goes to licensing processors for review. BAR said the goal is 3–5 business‑day processing for typical requests. - Controlling‑individuals workflow: Used for corporate officers, LLC members and responsible managing employees when the business’s structure allows; the workflow collects required corporate documentation (for example a Secretary of State statement of information) and attaches the signed changes for processor review.
Staff discussed practical points and industry feedback: a licensing‑team representative said email (barlicensing@dca.ca.gov) is currently the fastest route for support and encouraged submitters to include screenshots to expedite troubleshooting. Advisory members requested plain‑language guidance and short video snippets to help ARDs that prefer paper or are less familiar with online filing; staff said licensing will continue to accept paper in some cases for now but is encouraging the online platform and will consider outreach and training materials.
Quotes and attribution: "My name is Cole Gandalman... we are excited to demonstrate change workflows for existing ARD holders," Gandalman said. Rebecca said the EdCERT workflow "approves on the front end" and that approved certificates will populate the auto‑shop locator.
Ending: Staff said they plan to bring online renewal functionality into SimplyGo in the coming months and will return with updates at future advisory meetings.
