BOSTON -- A Framingham car repair shop operator has been charged with issuing state inspection stickers to vehicles that wouldn't normally pass inspections.

Samuel Bicalho, 22, of Framingham, operator of ZE Carlos Auto Repair at 243 Howard St., pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges he improperly issued state inspection stickers and violated Massachusetts Clean Air Act regulations.

Authorities alleged that Bicalho conducted tests on a different motor vehicle and then used the results from that test to issue a passing inspection sticker to the vehicle that came in for the inspection.

This practice, known as “clean scanning,” undermines the purpose of the emissions inspection process, can cause increased air pollution, and is illegal, authorities said.

Bicalho, a licensed state inspector, allegedly issued false inspection stickers at his shop or at a nearby restaurant at significant mark-ups on at least four occasions.

The investigation also included an undercover operation conducted by State Police. The case initially started with a motorist’s complaint to the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

As a result of the charges, the RMV has initiated the process of revoking Bicalho’s license to issue vehicle inspection stickers.