ASE Certification Program
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Table of Contents
ASE Certification Overview
The Purpose of ASE
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is an independent, non-profit, organization created in 1972 to primarily promote excellence in the automotive repair industry. ASE has since expanded to include certifications in heavy truck, bus, and collision repair along with service consultant and parts specialists certifications. Almost 300,000 automotive technicians and service professionals currently hold ASE certifications and ASE certified professionals work in every part of the automotive service industry. Note that ASE certifies automotive technicians and service professionals, not the actual repair facilities.
For the most part, ASE certifications are not required to work in the automotive service industry; however, it is in the best interest of an automotive technician to get certified as high as possible, as soon as possible. Professional technicians can differentiate themselves from other technicians and promote their commitment to the automotive service industry through ASE certifications.
The ASE Certification Process
The ASE certification process is made up of two parts, the actual certification tests, and documenting minimum work experience.
Certification Testing
The ASE tests can be taken by anybody, at any age, with any or no automotive education or experience. Most ASE tests expire in five years; however, the certification is not awarded until the minimum work experience is met.
ASE testing is available year-round and are delivered days, nights, and weekends at 450+ secure, proctored Prometric test centers.
Locate a Prometric Test Center: Weblink
Work Experience
In addition to passing an ASE certification test, minimum work experience is required. This requirement is covered, in detail, later in the lesson.
Certification Tests
The ASE certification tests that primarily relate to the automotive service industry are listed in the table below. The table also includes the numbers of automotive professionals currently certified by each ASE test and their percentage of the automotive workforce.
This information is current through the Spring 2022 ASE test administration and is updated each year after Spring testing is completed.
| Test | Description | Certifications | %1 | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Engine Repair | 109,707 | 16.5% | |
| A2 | Automatic Transmission | 82,532 | 12.4% | |
| A3 | Manual Drive Train & Axles | 89,951 | 13.5% | |
| A4 | Suspension & Steering | 132,979 | 20.0% | |
| A5 | Brake Systems | 141,753 | 21.3% | |
| A6 | Electrical Systems | 117,553 | 17.7% | |
| A7 | Heating & Air Conditioning | 104,633 | 15.7% | |
| A8 | Engine Performance | 102,567 | 15.4% | |
| Automotive Master Tech (A1-A8) | 56,938 | 8.5% | ||
| A9 | Light Vehicle Diesel Engine | 19,568 | 2.9% | |
| F1 | Compressed Natural Gas Vehicle | 1,152 | 0.2% | |
| G1 | Auto Maintenance and Light Repair (MLR) | 20,421 | 3.0% | 2 |
| L1 | Adv Engine Performance Specialists | 27,251 | 4.1% | |
| L3 | Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialists | 3,082 | 0.5% | |
| X1 | Exhaust Systems Certification | 4,608 | 0.6% |
- Percentage based on 629,780 USA automotive technicians – US Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2022)
- No percentage is given since this is not an automotive technician position. Maintenance and Light Repair (MLR) is a very basic certification and is often used to certify students in secondary automotive programs.
Master Automobile Technician Certification
The Master Automobile Technician Certification is earned after all eight (A1-A8) of the specific testing/certifications listed above are passed. To maintain the Master Level, each test must be recertified every five years. Upon certification, the certified applicant will also receive a special ASE Master Technician shoulder insignia, wallet I.D. card, and a wall certificate. Master Technicians are considered experts in automotive repair and service.
Advanced Engine Performance Specialist (L1) Certification
This is a difficult test and is held by only 4% of technicians. It is focused on the diagnosis of general power-train, computerized power-train controls (including OBD II), ignition systems, fuel and air induction systems, emission control systems, and I/M test failures.
Technicians must retest every five years to retain their Advanced Engine Performance Specialist Certification. Upon certification, the certified applicant will also receive a special ASE Advanced Level Specialist shoulder insignia, wallet I.D. card and a wall certificate. These technicians possess the knowledge and the skills required to diagnose sophisticated drivability and emissions-related problems on automobiles, SUVs, and light-duty trucks.
Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist (L3) Certification
This test is focused on the diagnosis of both high and low voltage electrical/electronic problems, as well as other supporting system problems, on hybrid/electric vehicles. Technicians must retest every five years to retain their Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist Certification. Upon certification, the certified applicant will also receive a special ASE Advanced Level Specialist shoulder insignia, wallet I.D. card and a wall certificate. These Technicians possess knowledge and the skills required to diagnose sophisticated drivability problems on hybrid/electric automobiles.
Other Industry Certifications
The focus of this course is on the automotive service industry; therefore, this lesson only covers the Automobile & Light Truck Certification Program. ASE also offers the following transportation certification programs.
- Medium/Heavy Truck
- Collision Repair and Refinish
- Parts Specialist
- School Bus
- Transit Bus
- Truck Equipment
ASE Official Study Guide
While many ASE study guides are available for sale, one of the best is published by ASE and is available as a free PDF download. It contains detailed information (including practice test questions) about all automotive/light truck tests (A1-A9), the Service Consultant Test (C1), the Alternative Fuels Test (F1), and the X1 Exhaust test.
Official ASE Study Guides: A copy of the ASE Study Guide is available from the course files panel or as a Download from ASE.
Work Experience / Hands On / Prior Training
ASE recognizes some hands-on experience and prior education / training towards the required industry work experience. Calculating the amount of credit that can be applied is a complex process and is covered, in detail, on this page on the ASE website.
Shop Recognitions
ASE Blue Seal of Excellence Program
ASE does not certify auto repair facilities but does recognize shops if at least 75% of their technicians are ASE certified. Each area of service offered by the facility must be covered by at least one ASE certified technician. If the repair facility employs a full-time service consultant they must have a current ASE Service Consultant Certification.
Shops that qualify for the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence Program will display the logo, as show above, on the outside of the building.
ASE Blue Seal Facility Locator: Web Link
ASE Contact Information
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
1503 Edwards Ferry Rd., NE, Suite 401
Leesburg, VA 20176
8 am to 5 pm Eastern Time, Monday – Friday, except holidays
Phone: 703-669-6600
Fax: 703-669-6127
Email: contactus@ase.com
Website: www.ase.com