{"id":87885,"date":"2026-04-01T13:44:30","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T13:44:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kempower.com\/?p=87885"},"modified":"2026-04-01T13:44:57","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T13:44:57","slug":"steps-to-achieve-ctep-kempower","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kempower.com\/america\/steps-to-achieve-ctep-kempower\/","title":{"rendered":"Steps to Achieve Your CTEP Certification for EV Charging Sites"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Steps to achieve your CTEP Certification (California Type Evaluation Program) for EV charging sites<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before you activate per-kilowatt-hour (kWh) billing for EV charging in California, there\u2019s 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\u2019s commercial accuracy standards. If you plan to implement kWh-based pricing at your California EV charging site, CTEP certification is required.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet many operators encounter this requirement late in their project \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In California\u2019s regulated market, understanding CTEP early isn\u2019t just about avoiding fines. It\u2019s about protecting your business model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is CTEP?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before outlining the steps, it\u2019s important to understand the framework. CTEP \u2014 the California Type Evaluation Program<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 is administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture\u2019s Division of Measurement Standards. It ensures devices used in commercial transactions measure goods accurately and fairly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your 3-Step Checklist for CTEP Certification of EV Charging Sites in California<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

1.  Choose a CTEP-Approved Charger Model<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most critical decision happens before procurement. California maintains an official database of EV charger models approved under CTEP<\/a>. If a charger model does not appear on that list, it cannot legally be used for per-kWh billing \u2014 even if fully installed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before purchasing equipment, confirm:<\/p>\n\n\n\n