We are going to assume you are in need of a smog test, as opposed to a smoke test, which consequently is included as part of the California Smog Inspection process for older model vehicles, such as in the case of your 1979 VW Beetle. With that said, a STAR certified California smog check center (or a non-STAR certified station which has a BAR-97 smog machine) will be able to inspect your VW Beetle even though it is from out-of-state. You do not need to make any modification to your Beetle's emission system; only ensure that its 49-state emissions legal system has not been tampered with. If you are obtaining a smog inspection for CA vehicle registration purposes, more than likely, you will be required to visit a STAR certified smog station. Just to play it safe, obtain your smog test at a STAR center as opposed to visiting a regular station only to find out they are unable to inspect your vehicle and need to refer you to a STAR certified inspection facility.
