Hmm, I was going to post the following:
Most definitely. The regular I/M inspection includes verifying that the main cat is present, meaning whether or not you have to get an emissions sticker, the shop is supposed to check for the man cat.
But then I read
this page , which details the basic vehicle safety inspection and I found no reference to checking for cats.
This page outlines where in PA you are subect to emissions inspections (i.e. you have 2 windshield stickers). Specifically, from §177.21 of the PA Code (linked above):
(a)The basic vehicle emission inspection program conducted as of September 30, 1997, in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, and in Allegheny, Beaver, Washington and Westmoreland Counties which exists in Pennsylvania Code serial pps. 125257?125266, 140091?140094, 125271?125288, 153617? 153620, 125291?125306, 182533 and 182554 will cease to be effective on a date designated by the Secretary by notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin as provided in § 177.22 (relating to commencement date). Certificates of appointment issued to emission inspection stations in the program which exists in the Pennsylvania Code serial pages listed in this section will terminate on a date designated by the Secretary in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Emission inspection stations in the emission inspection program which exists in the Pennsylvania Code serial pages listed in this section that elect not to be certified to conduct emission inspections under the enhanced emission inspection program shall submit emission inspection related material to Department personnel upon a final audit by the Department.
(b) The basic emission inspection program conducted as of September 30, 1997, in the applicable areas of Lehigh and Northampton Counties will continue as presently conducted and will cease on a date designated by the Secretary by notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin or on November 15, 1999, whichever occurs first.
Anywhere NOT mentioned above are NOT (as far as I can tell) subject to inspection of it's emissions system (beyond checking the exhaust for leaks, etc. related to the safety inspection). Lehigh and Northampton are no longer in the emissions inspection coverage area according to this, but the rest (basically Philly and Pitt metro areas) are.
Confused? Good, so am I. I fully expected to see a requirement for checking for catalytic converters on all vehicles in this state. I need to register my car in Berks County (I live in Montgomery now) so I can put headers on it.
