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Many industries in the United States have governing bodies that exist to help establish industry standards. The automotive field is no different — it features the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), a nonprofit, independent organization tasked with testing and certifying automotive mechanics and technicians. It exists as a stamp of approval that can help give consumers confidence that technicians have the proper education and skills to make repairs on a vehicle.
While you can work as a mechanic without ASE certification, having it distinguishes you from others and improves your employability. Keep reading to learn all about the history of ASE, the various types of ASE certifications and tests, the benefits of becoming certified, how to become an ASE master technician and more.
So, what does ASE mean? ASE is an abbreviation used for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.
ASE is an independent, nonprofit organization that was created to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service by testing and certifying automotive professionals. Since 1972, ASE has issued certifications to more than 250,000 automotive technicians and service professionals.
The ASE certification program benefits car owners, repair shops and auto professionals in the following ways:
ASE tests are designed by a panel of seasoned professionals that include manufacturers, educators and technicians.
ASE certification exists to improve and maintain the quality of vehicle repair and service. It sets the bar for the entire industry and keeps individual technicians accountable to a set of standards. It’s not a regulatory body but it does vouch for reputation, specialty and quality within the automotive industry.
ASE works in a few different ways. First, technicians are certified, not the service facilities they work in. Everyone within a service facility can be certified but the shop itself cannot be. Second, students can work toward certification before graduation. Finally, ASE has a unique process for accrediting automotive training programs, aside from the certification program. Universal Technical Institute (UTI) holds this prestigious accreditation, and you can enroll now to start working toward becoming ASE certified.16
All UTI instructors hold ASE certification, making them a good resource once you consider trying to earn yours.
As an Automotive program grad, you’ll be prepared to take the exams required to earn ASE certifications. Having an ASE certificate can make you stand out among other technicians and are valued by the industry. Plus, you can substitute your training for one of the two years of work experience required to become ASE certified. It’s often one of the first steps graduates take as they enter the automotive industry.
To become certified, you must:
The ASE offers a wide variety of certification tests that cover almost every aspect of the automotive service and repair industry. When you’re just starting out, the ASE recommends familiarizing yourself with the following information:
The individual test series offered by ASE range from truck equipment certification tests to damage analysis and estimating certification tests. To learn about the individual tests within each series, select your desired certification below.
Say you’re new to the automotive industry and have pursued a career in auto repair. You might take one of these tests, all part of the Automobile and Light Truck Certification (A1-A9).
Within this category are nine tests offered, each with between 40 and 50 multiple-choice questions.
Take one test for certification in a specific area or work toward passing eight (A1-A8) for Master Automobile Technician Status.
Maybe you looked into tech schools so you could work in automotive because you’re not the book-studying, test-taking type. You should know the tests are created by committees of automotive professionals, technicians and aftermarket manufacturers, not by academics who’ve never laid hands on a car before. This means the questions are relevant and process-based. They’re about practical issues you might run into on a daily basis. They’re also screened by multiple people, meaning poorly written or confusing questions are unlikely to squeak by.
ASE offers study guides, as well as official ASE practice tests to help. It even provides a series of sample questions you can answer within the testing platform, so you’ll know exactly what to expect on test day. You can take the exam at an ASE test center, or UTI students can take them on campus. Once you’re ready, register for the test by creating a myASE account.
At this point, you may be wondering how to achieve ASE master technician status. In addition to documenting two years of relevant hands-on work experience, you must pass a specified group of tests in a series. The tests required for each series are listed below:
Those who are certified in any combination of tests 2 through 7 in the Medium-Heavy Truck, Transit Bus or School Bus test series also have the opportunity to earn Master Medium-Heavy Vehicle Technician Status. Requirements include:
To learn more details about earning Master Technician status, click here.
Those who hold ASE certifications must recertify every 5 years. If you previously achieved Master Technician status and one of your required certifications expires, you would lose your Master Technician status. However, you can regain it by taking ASE’s recertification tests, even after your certification expires. Upon passing your original ASE test, you only need to take the recertification test — no matter how much time has passed since it expired.
To make the renewal process simple, ASE offers a myASE Renewal app. Using your desktop, tablet or mobile device, you can keep up with your ASE certifications without having to visit a test center.
The myASE Renewal app will send you one question per certification area every month. You can view the questions whenever is most convenient for you, as long as you answer them within the allotted time provided. You can then find out whether your answer was correct and why. To learn more about the app and to start your free trial, visit here.
Automotive mechanics and technicians nationwide hold ASE certification, and for good reason — becoming ASE certified has a long list of benefits. Among them:
If you’re considering becoming an automotive technician, completing ASE certification requirements is a solid career decision.
From automotive to diesel to collision repair, UTI offers a variety of programs for those who aspire to pursue a career in the skilled trades. To learn more, visit our programs page and request information today.
Click here to learn about some of the top skills employers look for when hiring automotive technicians.
Luke Franta is 23 years old and an ASE certified technician. Curious about what it takes to become ASE certified? We can help.
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1) UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.
2) For program outcome information and other disclosures, visit www.uti.edu/disclosures.
16) Not all programs are accredited by the ASE Education Foundation.
Universal Technical Institute of Illinois, Inc. is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
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