Automotive Service Excellence

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is a professional certification group that certifies professionals and shops in the automotive repair and service industry in the United States and parts of Canada. It is an independent, non-profit organization created in 1972[1] in response to consumers needing to distinguish between potentially incompetent and competent automotive technicians.[2] The organization aims to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service through the testing and certification of repair and service professionals.

National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence
AbbreviationASE
NicknameAutomotive Service Excellence
FormationJune 12, 1972 (1972-06-12)
Founded atWashington D.C.
Typenon-profit organization
Registration no.721570
HeadquartersLeesburg, Virginia
Location
  • United States and Canada
Membership (2018)
247,621 - Certified service professionals
Official language
English
Websitease.com

ASE Certification

ASE offers certification tests for automotive professionals through Prometric Test Centers.[3] These involve several exams, the passing of which, added with two years of relevant hands-on work experience, will merit certification.[4] The required experience can be substituted by one year of on-the-job training and a two-year training degree.[5] A recertification track is also offered for those who have had previous certification.[6] Upon certification, the certified applicant will also receive an ASE shoulder insignia, wallet I.D. card and a wall certificate suitable for framing. As of January 2020 the wallet card is again available after being retired since June 2016.

ASE certification is usually required by employers for those interested in pursuing a career in professional automotive service.[7] Some municipalities require ASE certification in order to be licensed for motor vehicle repairs, such as Broward[8] and Miami-Dade[9] counties of Florida.

There are fifteen different Automobile & Light Truck Certifications:

  • A1 - Engine Repair Certification
  • A2 - Automatic Transmission Certification
  • A3 - Manual Drive Train & Axles Certification
  • A4 - Suspension & Steering Certification
  • A5 - Brakes Certification
  • A6 - Electrical Systems Certification
  • A7 - Heating & Air Conditioning Certification
  • A8 - Engine Performance Certification
  • A9 - Light Vehicle Diesel Engine
  • C1 - Automobile Service Consultant Certification
  • F1 - Compressed Natural Gas Vehicle Certification
  • G1 - Auto Maintenance and Light Repair Certification
  • L1 - Advanced Engine Performance Specialist Certification
  • L3 - Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist Certification
  • X1 - Exhaust Systems Certification

There are nine different Medium/Heavy Truck Certifications:

  • T1 - Gasoline Engines Certification
  • T2 - Diesel Engines Certification
  • T3 - Drive Train Certification
  • T4 - Brakes Certification
  • T5 - Suspension and Steering Certification
  • T6 - Electrical/Electronic Systems Certification
  • T7 - Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems Certification
  • T8 - Preventive Maintenance Inspection (PMI) Certification
  • L2 - Electronic Diesel Engine Diagnosis Specialist Certification

There are five Collision Repair and Refinish Certifications:

  • B2 - Painting and Refinishing Certification
  • B3 - Non-Structural Analysis and Damage Repair Certification
  • B4 - Structural Analysis and Damage Repair Certification
  • B5 - Mechanical and Electrical Components Certification
  • B6 - Damage Analysis and Estimating Certification

There are three Parts Specialist Certifications:

  • P1 - Med/Hvy Truck Parts Specialist Certification
  • P2 - Automobile Parts Specialist Certification
  • P4 - General Motors Parts Consultant Certification

There are seven School Bus Certifications:

  • S1 - Body Systems and Special Equipment Certification
  • S2 - Diesel Engines Certification
  • S3 - Drive Train Certification
  • S4 - Brakes Certification
  • S5 - Suspension and Steering Certification
  • S6 - Electrical/Electronic Systems Certification
  • S7 - Air Conditioning Systems and Controls

There are eight Transit Bus Certifications:

  • H1 - Compressed Natural Gas Engines Certification
  • H2 - Diesel Engines Certification
  • H3 - Drive Train Certification
  • H4 - Brakes Certification
  • H5 - Suspension and Steering Certification
  • H6 - Electrical/Electronic Systems Certification
  • H7 - Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Certification
  • H8 - Preventive Maintenance Inspection Certification

There are three Truck Equipment Certifications:

  • E1 - Truck Equipment Installation and Repair Certification
  • E2 - Electrical/Electronic Systems Installation and Repair Certification
  • E3 - Auxiliary Power Systems Installation and Repair Certification

Master Automotive Technician ASE Certification: The Master 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.

Master Medium/Heavy Truck Technician ASE Certification: The Master Technician Certification is earned after all seven (T2-T8) 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 medium/heavy truck repair and service.

Master Collision Repair/Refinishing Technician ASE Certification: The Master Technician Certification is earned after all four (B2-B5) 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 collision repair and service.

Master School Bus Technician ASE Certification: The Master Technician Certification is earned after all six (S1-S6) 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 school bus repair and service.

Master Transit Bus Technician ASE Certification: The Master Technician Certification is earned after all seven (H1 or H2, H3-H8) 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 transit bus repair and service.

Master Truck Equipment Technician ASE Certification: The Master Technician Certification is earned after all three (E1-E3) 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 truck equipment repair and service.

Advanced Engine Performance Specialist (L1) Certification: This difficult test 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 knowledge and the skills required to diagnose sophisticated drivability and emissions-related problems on automobiles, SUVs, and light-duty trucks.

Electronic Diesel Engine Diagnosis Specialist (L2) Certification: This difficult test is focused on the diagnosis of sophisticated engine performance problems on computer-controlled diesel engines. Technicians must retest every five years to retain their Electronic Diesel Engine Diagnosis 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 and emissions-related problems on diesel trucks.

Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist (L3) Certification: This difficult 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.

ASE Blue Seal of Excellence Program: ASE's highest honor is the ‘Blue Seal of Excellence’ This specialty seal is only awarded to by ASE to Auto Repair Facilities and Collision Repair Facilities that employ at least 75% of technicians that 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. There is a special ASE Blue Seal Facility locator on the ASE Driver Website: http://www.ase.com/drivers/

All ASE tests are computer based and are administered at nearly 500 secure testing centers. ASE testing is available year-round. Additionally ASE certification is not just for technicians anymore and apply to all manner of jobs relating to the automotive industry.

ASE Entry Level Certification Tests

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Entry-Level certification tests are designed to indicate a satisfactory level of practical knowledge-based readiness for the workforce in candidates seeking a career in the automotive service industry. ASE Entry-Level certification tests are available for the Automobile, Collision Repair/Refinish and M/H Truck segments (series). ASE Entry-level certification is the first step in building career credentials as an automotive service professional. http://www.ase.com/entry-level/

There are ten different Automobile Entry-Level Tests:

  • Automatic Transmission/Transaxle
  • Automobile Service Technology
  • Brakes
  • Electrical/Electronic Systems
  • Engine Performance
  • Engine Repair
  • Heating and Air Conditioning
  • Maintenance and Light Repair
  • Manual Drive Train and Axles
  • Suspension and Steering

There are four different Collision Repair & Refinish Tests:

  • Mechanical and Electrical
  • Non-structural Analysis and Damage Repair
  • Painting and Refinishing
  • Structural Analysis and Damage Repair

There are five different Medium/Heavy Truck Tests:

  • Brakes
  • Diesel Engines
  • Electrical/Electronic Systems
  • Suspension & Steering
  • Inspection Maintenance & Minor repair

See also

References
  1. Barnhart, Phillip (1997). The Guide to National Professional Certification Programs, 2nd Edition. CRC Press. pp. 291–292. ISBN 0-8493-9960-2.
  2. "The Value of ASE Certification". NAPA. Retrieved 2009-11-26.
  3. "Prometric Selected as New Testing Partner for National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence". Retrieved 2017-05-05.
  4. "Want ASE Certification?". Defense Activity For Non-Traditional Education Support. Archived from the original on 31 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-26.
  5. "ASE Certification Programs". Mechanic Career Now. Retrieved 2016-08-17.
  6. Tugend, Alina (2011-02-25). "Who's Best for Your Car, Dealer or Independent?". The New York Times. Retrieved 2017-05-05.
  7. "Certifications for Automotive Technicians". Roseville, Michigan. Archived from the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
  8. "Automotive Service Excellence".
  9. "Miami-Dade County Code, Chapter 8A, Article VIIA Motor Vehicle Repair Ordinance" (PDF). Miami-Dade County, Florida. Retrieved 2009-08-26.
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