EPA Method 9 Certification - Now Available Virtually
Train, practice, and complete your Method 9 certification through immersive virtual reality - on your schedule and from your facility.
No travel. No weather delays. No waiting for the next scheduled smoke school.
An EPA-Approved Alternative to Traditional Smoke School
Virtual Smoke School was approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Alternative Test Method ALT-152.
The virtual system provides an approved alternative for delivering the certification exercise while maintaining the Method 9 opacity-observation requirements addressed by ALT-152.
View EPA ALT-152 ApprovalMethod 9 Certification That Works Around Your Operation
Traditional in-person smoke schools remain an important option, but they don't always fit every facility, schedule, or employee. Virtual Smoke School gives organizations another way to manage Method 9 certification.
Train & Certify on Your Schedule
Complete training when it works for your operation, including second and third shifts.
No Travel Required
Reduce employee travel time and eliminate mileage, lodging, and meal expenses associated with certification travel.
No Weather Delays
Certification takes place in a controlled virtual environment instead of depending on outdoor testing conditions.
Unlimited Practice & Retesting
Practice opacity readings with immediate feedback and retake the certification test as needed until you pass.
Private, Individual Testing
Each trainee completes the process individually without the distractions of a group testing environment.
Instant Results
Results are available immediately, and certificates are emailed after successfully completing certification.
Train → Practice → Certify
Virtual Smoke School guides each trainee through the process step by step.
Train
Complete the FREE online Method 9 lecture on a computer, laptop, or tablet if required.
Review Standard Values
Enter VR and review known white and black smoke opacity values before beginning practice.
Practice
Complete unlimited practice readings and receive immediate feedback to improve opacity-reading accuracy.
Certify
Complete the Method 9 certification test in VR and receive your results immediately.
If you don't pass, review your results, practice, and try again. Your registration remains active until you pass.
Our Dedicated VR Headset
AeroMet offers a dedicated VR headset configured exclusively for Virtual Smoke School. Turn it on, log in, and start training.
One Headset. Multiple Trainees.
A dedicated headset can be shared among employees throughout your facility. Each trainee needs their own Virtual Smoke School registration, but they do not need their own headset.
Keep the headset at your facility and use it whenever employees need initial certification or six-month recertification.
Virtual or In-Person - Choose What Works for Your Team
Some organizations prefer a traditional in-person smoke school. Others need the flexibility of virtual certification. AeroMet offers multiple ways to complete Method 9 training and certification.
Scheduled Smoke Schools
Attend one of AeroMet's regularly scheduled Method 9 certification events.
View ScheduleVirtual Smoke School
Train, practice, and certify on your schedule through immersive virtual reality.
Explore VirtualSmokeSchool.comOn-Site Smoke Schools
Bring AeroMet to your facility for private group training and certification.
Learn About On-SiteReady to Experience Virtual Smoke School?
Discover a more flexible way to train, practice, and complete EPA Method 9 certification.
Train → Practice → Certify