Catalytic Converter Laws by State 2026

Catalytic Converter Requirement

Required

State	Catalytic Converter Requirement↓	Catalytic Converter Standard	Missing Catalytic Converter Consequence
Alabama	Required	Federal EPA standard	Enforced under federal law
Alaska	Required	Federal EPA standard	Enforced under federal law
Arizona	Required	Federal EPA standard	Enforced under federal law
Arkansas	Required	Federal EPA standard	Enforced under federal law
California	Required	California Low-Emission Vehicle standards	Inspection failure required for registration
Colorado	Required	California Low-Emission Vehicle standards	Inspection failure required for registration
Connecticut	Required	California Low-Emission Vehicle standards	Inspection failure required for registration
Delaware	Required	California Low-Emission Vehicle standards	Inspection failure required for registration
District of Columbia	Required	California Low-Emission Vehicle standards	Inspection failure required for registration
Florida	Required	Federal EPA standard	Enforced under federal law
Georgia	Required	Federal EPA standard	Enforced under federal law
Hawaii	Required	Federal EPA standard	Enforced under federal law
Idaho	Required	Federal EPA standard	Enforced under federal law
Illinois	Required	Federal EPA standard	Enforced under federal law
Indiana	Required	Federal EPA standard	Enforced under federal law
Iowa	Required	Federal EPA standard	Enforced under federal law
Kansas	Required	Federal EPA standard	Enforced under federal law
Kentucky	Required	Federal EPA standard	Enforced under federal law
Louisiana	Required	Federal EPA standard	Enforced under federal law
Maine	Required	California Low-Emission Vehicle standards	Inspection failure required for registration
Maryland	Required	California Low-Emission Vehicle standards	Inspection failure required for registration
Massachusetts	Required	California Low-Emission Vehicle standards	Inspection failure required for registration
Michigan	Required	Federal EPA standard	Federal compliance; no statewide inspection
Minnesota	Required	California Low-Emission Vehicle standards	Inspection failure required for registration
Mississippi	Required	Federal EPA standard	Federal anti-tampering applies
Missouri	Required	Federal EPA standard	Inspection failure if emissions required
Montana	Required	Federal EPA standard	Federal compliance only
Nebraska	Required	Federal EPA standard	Federal compliance
Nevada	Required	California Low-Emission Vehicle standards	Inspection failure required for registration
New Hampshire	Required	Federal EPA standard	Safety/emissions inspection failure
New Jersey	Required	California Low-Emission Vehicle standards	Inspection failure required for registration
New Mexico	Required	California Low-Emission Vehicle standards	Inspection failure required for registration
New York	Required	California Low-Emission Vehicle standards	Inspection failure required for registration
North Carolina	Required	Federal EPA standard	Inspection failure + felony possession laws for removed converters (NC statute)
North Dakota	Required	Federal EPA standard	Enforced under federal law
Ohio	Required	Federal EPA standard	Inspection failure in testing areas
Oklahoma	Required	Federal EPA standard	Enforced under federal law
Oregon	Required	California Low-Emission Vehicle standards	Inspection failure required for registration
Pennsylvania	Required	California Low-Emission Vehicle standards	Inspection failure required for registration
Rhode Island	Required	California Low-Emission Vehicle standards	Inspection failure required for registration
South Carolina	Required	Federal EPA standard	Enforced under federal law
South Dakota	Required	Federal EPA standard	Enforced under federal law
Tennessee	Required	Federal EPA standard	Enforced under federal law
Texas	Required	Federal EPA standard	Inspection failure required for registration
Utah	Required	Federal EPA standard	Enforced under federal law
Vermont	Required	California Low-Emission Vehicle standards	Inspection failure required for registration
Virginia	Required	California Low-Emission Vehicle standards	Inspection failure required for registration
Washington	Required	California Low-Emission Vehicle standards	Inspection failure required for registration
West Virginia	Required	Federal EPA standard	Inspection failure + federal enforcement
Wisconsin	Required	Federal EPA standard	Inspection failure in testing areas
Wyoming	Required	Federal EPA standard	Enforced under federal law

Your catalytic converter is one of the most important parts of your vehicle. It plays a significant role in the emissions your car generates. Therefore, you need to think carefully about the type of catalytic converter you have because it could dictate whether your car is allowed on the road.

If your car does not meet certain emission standards, then you might be required to take your car to the repair shop. It can be expensive to replace a catalytic converter, so it is better to plan for the replacement instead of having an emergency repair. If you want your car to meet emission standards, and you want to reduce your carbon footprint, you need to pay close attention to your catalytic converter.

How to Determine What Type of Catalytic Converter is Needed

The best way to determine what type of catalytic converter you need is to take a look at your state regulations. In some states, you must have a CARB-compliant aftermarket replacement converter. This means that your catalytic converter may need to be labeled with a specific number, usually an EO (executive order), that indicates that your catalytic converter complies with the latest regulations.

Do All Vehicles Need To Have CARB-Compliant Catalytic Converters?

Not every vehicle needs to have a special catalytic converter; however, they tend to apply to vehicles made after a specific model year. There is some variation regarding what type of catalytic converter is needed, and it varies from place to place. Colorado and California require vehicles to have this type of catalytic converter if they are more than five years old or the warranty has already expired. Maine also requires its vehicles to have these types of catalytic converters, but they are only required for vehicles that were made after 2001. Finally, New York also requires CARB-compliant catalytic converters, but they are only required on specific vehicles that were made after the mid-90s.

How to Know If You Have the Right Catalytic Converter

To make sure you have the right catalytic converter, you need to take a look at your vehicle’s Emissions Control information label. You can typically find this on the underside of the hood. If it is not there, it should be near your strut Tower or radiator support. Then, take a look at the emissions certification to make sure it meets the standard. You will typically either see ARB or CARB. If you live in an area that requires CARB, then you need to make sure you do not see ARB. If your vehicle does not have the correct catalytic converter, you may need to reach out to a mechanic who can clarify what you need.