How to Become ASE Certified: A Step by Step Guide

Understanding the Significance of Becoming ASE Certified

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), an independent, non-profit organization that works to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service, certifies automotive professionals¹. The ASE Certification is an important credential that validates the expertise and knowledge of automotive professionals in various specializations including automotive, diesel and collision repair. Understanding the overview, importance, and benefits of becoming ASE Certified is crucial for individuals aspiring to go above and beyond in the automotive industry.

Overview of ASE Certification

ASE offers a comprehensive range of certification tests covering nearly every aspect of the automotive repair and service industry. With 58 certification tests available in various disciplines, technicians have the opportunity to demonstrate their proficiency in specific areas such as Automobile & Light Truck, Medium/Heavy Truck, Collision Repair & Refinish, and more². The certification tests are designed and created by subject matter experts, ensuring the assessments align with the latest industry standards and practices.

Importance of ASE Certification

Becoming ASE Certified holds significant importance within the automotive industry. It serves as a standardized measure of an individual's competence and ability to perform automotive repair and service tasks at a professional level. Employers and consumers alike recognize ASE Certification as a hallmark of excellence, providing assurance that certified technicians have met stringent competency standards and are committed to ongoing education and excellence¹.

Benefits of ASE Certification

The benefits of becoming ASE Certified are extensive. For Automotive Technicians, ASE Certification can potentially lead to enhanced career opportunities, increased earning potential, and job security. Additionally, certified professionals can gain fulfillment and pride in their expertise and professionalism while contributing to the safety and satisfaction of their customers. Becoming ASE Certified sets individuals apart as skilled and sought-after professionals in the automotive field³. By continuing to read our step-by-step blog and exploring the benefits of obtaining your ASE Certification, you can pave the way towards a fulfilling career in the exciting world of Automotive Technology.

Registering for the ASE Certification Testing

Achieving ASE Certification with a clear understanding of the essential requirements will help make you a successful Automotive Technician. Your path to ASE Certification is in the power of hands-on training. While many automotive Technicians understand the importance of testing in the ASE Certification process, achieving certification entails more than simply answering test questions. It also requires demonstrating practical experience in the industry or completing relevant training programs.

The National Institute for ASE has set specific requirements for registering for ASE certification. In order to qualify to sit for the ASE Certification test, you must have either full-time, hands-on work experience in the automotive industry or a combination of formal training and practical experience. You'll have relevant hands-on work experience. But as a Lincoln Tech graduate you will automatically receive up to one year of that two-year requirement. The amount of work experience needed may vary depending on the specific test you are taking.

To register for an ASE Certification test, currently, a $34 fee is required, in addition to a $56 fee per test. However, for the L1, L2, and L3 tests, the cost is $112 each. Recertification tests follow the same fee structure, with a $34 registration fee required plus $56 fee per test and a $112 fee for advanced tests. You may purchase as many recertification tests as you want in an order, but ASE caps the cost of your tests at $168. So, the most anyone would pay to recertify in a single order is $202 - no matter how many recertification tests are purchased⁴.

As you prepare to showcase your skills and knowledge and sit for the ASE Certification, ASE recommends completing and submitting the ASE Work Experience Form after you have registered to take an ASE Certification test. This step ensures that you are on track to fulfill all prerequisites and maximize your chances of success.

Understanding the ASE Certification Tests

In the automotive repair and service industry there are 58 distinctive ASE Certification tests. These tests typically consist of 40 to 75 multiple-choice questions, specifically designed to assess your knowledge in the content areas related to your desired certification. These comprehensive examinations span across many automotive areas, including:

• Automobile & Light Truck Certification Tests (A Series)
• Collision Repair & Refinish Certification Tests (B Series)
• Damage Analysis & Estimating Certification Test (B6)
• Automobile Service Consultant Certification Test (C1)
• Truck Equipment Certification Tests (E Series)
• Alternate Fuels Certification Test (F1)
• Auto Maintenance and Light Repair Certification Test (G1)
• Transit Bus Certification Tests (H Series)
• Advanced Engine Performance Specialist Certification Test (L1)
• Electronic Diesel Engine Diagnosis Specialist Certification Test (L2)
• Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist Test (L3)
• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Specialist Certification Test (L4)
• Parts Specialist Certification Tests (P Series)
• School Bus Certification Tests (S Series)
• Medium-Heavy Truck Certification Tests (T Series)
• Undercar Specialist Exhaust Systems Test (X1)
• ASE Military Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Certification Tests (MIL Series)
• Non-Certification Assessments

To learn more about each certification exam in the series, please visit the ASE Certification Test Series page.

Approximately two out of three technicians (67%) pass their ASE exam on their first attempt. But with hands-on training, and by taking practice tests and following study guides, the rate of passing jumps to over 80%⁵. Certification credentials remain valid for a duration of five years⁶. Upon the expiration of this period, it is essential to undertake the corresponding Recertification Test. This process ensures that certified Automotive professionals remain up-to-date and current in the face of the rapidly evolving industry standards and practices.

How to prepare for Your ASE Certification Testing

Although ASE testing can seem overwhelming, with Lincoln Tech by your side, you can approach these exams with confidence and ease. We are dedicated to empowering you on your journey towards ASE Certification. Our experienced instructors, each ASE-certified themselves, ensure that your Automotive Technician training goes beyond theory, focusing on hands-on practical applications. Gain the expertise to skillfully test, diagnose, replace, repair, and fine-tune the intricate components of mechanical, electronic, hydraulic, and accessories systems in today's automobiles. By combining classroom lectures with real-world scenarios, we prepare you not just to pass the tests, but to excel in your career.

To assist you in your preparation for the ASE Certification test, the National Institute of ASE provides Official ASE Practice Tests. They also provide complimentary ASE practice tests for A1-A8 to enhance your exam preparation. These practice tests are conveniently available online and are designed to simulate the content and format of the actual ASE tests. By offering questions that closely resemble those on the real exams, these practice tests offer valuable insight into what to expect and allow you to familiarize yourself with the test-taking experience. Utilizing the Official ASE Practice Tests will enhance your confidence, sharpen your knowledge, and ultimately increase your chances of success on the ASE Certification test.

Beyond Basic ASE Certification: Becoming a Master ASE Technician

Master Technician status is earned when you achieve certification in all required testing areas for that series. For example, technicians certified in tests A1 through A8 are Master Automobile Technicians. Those certified in tests T2 through T8 are Master Medium/Heavy Truck Technicians, and so forth. However, Master Technician status is not for life. You must keep each one of those certifications current to maintain Master Technician status. If you lose Master Technician status due to the lapse of one or more required certifications, it can be reinstated by taking and passing the Recertification Tests⁷.

ASE Certification offers automotive professionals the opportunity to showcase their skills and knowledge in specific areas of expertise, emphasizing their commitment to excellence and ongoing professional development.

Start your path to becoming ASE Certified with confidence, driven by Lincoln Tech's transformative power of education, hands-on experience, and tailored Automotive Technician training programs. Your journey to success begins here, shaping the foundation for a fulfilling and impactful career in the automotive industry.

References:

¹ "About ASE." ASE, https://www.ase.com/about-ase/. Accessed 15 May 2024.

² "Home." ASE, https://www.ase.com/. Accessed 15 May 2024.

³ "ASE Certification Tests." ASE, https://www.ase.com/ase-certification-tests. Accessed 15 May 2024.

⁴ "Dates, Fees & Test Times." ASE, https://www.ase.com/dates-fees-test-times. Accessed 15 May 2024.

⁵ " ASE Certification Training HQ - Free ASE Practice Tests [Updated 2021], https://www.asecertificationtraining.com/how-hard-are-ase-tests-all-tests-ranked-easiest-to-hardest/ Accessed 15 May 2024.

⁶ "Frequently Asked Questions." ASE, https://www.ase.com/faq. Accessed 15 May 2024.

⁷ "Test Series." ASE, https://www.www.ase.com/test-series. Accessed 15 May 2024.

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