Steps to achieve your CTEP Certification (California Type Evaluation Program) for EV charging sites

Before you activate per-kilowatt-hour (kWh) billing for EV charging in California, there’s one critical requirement to address. You cannot legally sell electricity as a measured commodity without approved and inspected equipment. Chargers that bill per kWh must meet the state’s commercial accuracy standards. If you plan to implement kWh-based pricing at your California EV charging site, CTEP certification is required.

Yet many operators encounter this requirement late in their project — sometimes after hardware has already been selected or installed. At that stage, changes can delay launch timelines, restrict pricing flexibility, or introduce compliance risk that directly impacts revenue.

In California’s regulated market, understanding CTEP early isn’t just about avoiding fines. It’s about protecting your business model.

What is CTEP?

Before outlining the steps, it’s important to understand the framework. CTEP — the California Type Evaluation Program — is administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Division of Measurement Standards. It ensures devices used in commercial transactions measure goods accurately and fairly.

EV chargers that sell electricity per kilowatt-hour are treated as commercial measuring devices. Just like fuel pumps, they must be approved and inspected before they can legally be used for billing. If you intend to charge per kWh, certification is mandatory.

Your 3-Step Checklist for CTEP Certification of EV Charging Sites in California

1.  Choose a CTEP-Approved Charger Model

The most critical decision happens before procurement. California maintains an official database of EV charger models approved under CTEP. If a charger model does not appear on that list, it cannot legally be used for per-kWh billing — even if fully installed.

Before purchasing equipment, confirm:

  • The exact model is CTEP-approved
  • The configuration matches the approved listing

For example, Kempower’s portfolio is built to meet standards and regulations such as CTEP, UL, and CSA. Our best-in-class metering accuracy ensures customers are billed precisely for every kilowatt-hour delivered, and our products leave the factory configured to meet CTEP technical requirements. However, operators must still verify that the specific model and configuration appear on California’s approved CTEP database before procurement. Addressing this early prevents costly hardware changes and protects your ability to implement per-kWh pricing from day one.

2. Install the Charger and Prepare for Inspection

After selecting an approved model, installation must follow manufacturer specifications and local electrical requirements. Inspectors will verify that the installed unit matches the approved configuration and that energy measurement and pricing displays operate correctly.

Compliance planning during installation reduces inspection delays and keeps project timelines predictable.

3. Coordinate Local Inspection and Secure the Compliance Seal

Even after state-level approval of a charger model, each installed unit must be inspected locally before billing can begin.

Your County Sealer of Weights and Measures will verify that:

  • Energy is measured accurately
  • Billing displays align with delivered kilowatt-hours
  • Consumer transparency requirements are met

If the unit passes inspection, a tamper-evident compliance seal is applied. Only then can the charger legally bill per kWh.

In regulated environments like California, certification is not a one-time milestone — it is an ongoing operational responsibility. Certified equipment must remain accurate, transparent, and serviceable throughout its lifecycle. Leading operators integrate compliance into their operational discipline to protect revenue continuity and customer trust.

Mistakes to avoid

CTEP certification is straightforward when addressed early. Most challenges arise from preventable oversights. Common pitfalls include:

  • Purchasing hardware before confirming CTEP compliance
  • Assuming electrical safety certification automatically covers metering compliance
  • Installing equipment without verifying the approved configuration
  • Delaying coordination with the County Sealer
  • Overlooking recertification requirements after maintenance

Avoiding these mistakes protects your launch timeline and preserves your pricing flexibility.

Final takeaways

The process is manageable when approached proactively: select a charger model that is CTEP-approved, install it correctly, and coordinate inspection with your County Sealer.

Kempower designs its charging solutions with certified commercial accuracy in mind. Since 2024, we have expanded our portfolio to meet California’s CTEP requirements and continue to engineer future products to support regulated billing environments. Our 1% metering accuracy reflects our commitment to precision, transparency, and long-term operational reliability.

But strong charging operators go further. They integrate compliance into their operational discipline, ensuring certified equipment remains accurate, transparent, and reliable over time.

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