How Consumers Benefit from ASE Technician Certification
Finding a competent auto repair professional should not be difficult…and with that guiding principle, the non-profit, independent National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) was founded in 1972.
The mission was clear: develop a mechanism by which working auto technicians could prove their competence to themselves, their employers, and to consumers.
The solution: a series of national certification exams covering all major automotive repair and service specialties.
The result: an elite group of automotive service professionals at work in repair establishments throughout the nation.

Why Use ASE-Certified Auto Technicians?
Consumers benefit from ASE’s certification program because it takes much of the guesswork out of finding a competent technician.

Perhaps years ago, any shade-tree mechanic would do; after all, cars were simpler, less complex. But with today’s high-tech vehicles—family sedans, sports coupes, rugged SUVs, and powerful pick-ups—the margin for error is less. Mistakes can be costlier. It makes good financial sense, then, to protect your automotive investment through regular periodic maintenance and service performed by certified professionals.

Because ASE’s program is voluntary, technicians who have taken the time and expense to earn ASE certification can be counted on to have a strong sense of pride in accomplishment and professionalism—which should be good news for consumers. Moreover, prior to taking ASE exams, many technicians attend training classes or study after work. The time they spend sharpening their skills should be advantageous to consumers as well.

How Does ASE Certification Work?
Tens of thousands of candidates sit for ASE exams each year. These exams— the only independent national certification tests available to automotive professionals—are developed by representatives from the service and repair industry, vocational educators, working technicians, and ASE’s own in-house technical specialists. The exams stress real-world diagnostic and repair problems, not theory.

Mechanics who pass at least one exam and fulfill the hands-on work experience requirement earn the title of ASE-Certified Automobile Technician, while those who pass all eight auto exams earn Master Auto Technician status. (There are also tests for parts specialists, collision technicians, service consultants, and others.) Nor is ASE certification for life; technicians must recertify every five years in order to keep current with changing technology and to remain ASE certified.

How to Find an ASE Professional
ASE technicians can be found at every type of repair facility: new car dealerships, independent garages, service stations, franchised outlets, collision shops, tire dealers, and more. There are about 400,000 ASE-certified professionals at work nationally. Repair facilities employing ASE professionals usually display the distinctive blue and white ASE sign on the premises and post their technicians’ credentials in the customer service area.

Employers often include the ASE logo in their advertising as well. Further, establishments with a high percentage of certified pros on staff may display evidence of membership in the elite Blue Seal of Excellence Recognition Program. ASE-certified professionals are issued shoulder insignia or lapel pins as well as personalized credentials and wall certificates listing their exact areas of certification.

For additional information visit www.ase.com or write to National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, 101 Blue Seal Drive, S.E, Suite 101, Leesburg, VA 20175.