I found the relevant set of statutes here:
http://www.mass.gov/dep/service/regu...s/310cmr60.pdf
It looks like
emissions repairs must be done by a registered technician. I'm still trying to dope out their waiver system and how it relates to max cost vs year of the car. The good part about having the registered technician repair is it makes it easier to get a waiver if the car continues to fail re-inspection. That's my take on it.
Good luck to your GF!
(Any pictures? Not of the car, the GF.)