Automotive Service Excellence Certification (ASE) - What is It?

When a car owner takes his/her vehicle in for repairs, he/she wants assurance the technician knows how to repair the vehicle and avoid damaging anything else. Owners do not want to be put in a position where they have to pay for parts that are unnecessary.

How ASE Certification Works

Mechanics who are certified by ASE are considered prime candidates for hire at automotive repair shops. In order to apply for ASE certification, a mechanic must meet specialized, high-standard criteria. They must:

• Show 2 years of experience in the automotive repair industry.
• Be able to complete and pass the specialty examination, which is only offered twice per year.
• Automotive mechanics can choose the specialty type of ASE certification they would like to receive. They can become certified in breaks, heating and cooling, and even suspension.

What is ASE?

ASE is a non-profit organization started in 1972 that is known as the minimal standard of excellence for an automotive technician. Its purpose is to protect vehicle owners and provide the peace of mind people expect when they take their car in to a mechanic shop.

The ASE certifies individuals who have completed an automotive repair training program and tests to ensure they know how to work on mechanical, electrical and other automotive systems. This is why people seeking vehicle repairs should look for the blue-and-white Automotive Service Excellence Certification sign located on the front of the automotive repair shop.

When someone holds the ASE certification, they are considered an expert in the automotive industry. They have specialized training, commitment, and maintain their continuing education studies each year to maintain their certification.

What is Required For a Business to Display ASE Certification

If a business is ASE-certified, they are allowed to display the ASE seal. Keep in mind, only one mechanic in the facility must be ASE certified for a business to display this seal. Customers have the right to know which mechanic is ASE-certified and specifically request the cervices of that mechanic.

It is a common for people to misinterpret the AES Certification seal as meaning that all of the mechanics working at a location are certified.

ASE Master Certification

For an automotive professional who has passed several tests on various specialties, the next step is to become an ASE Master Certified Mechanic. The test covers a large number of vehicle aspects, including:

• Truck Equipment
• School Buses
• Various forms of transit buses
• Engine mechanics
• Collision repair
• Medium truck repair
• Heavy truck repair

Each of these tests involve passing multiple exams. All of the exams must be passed in order to receive the AES Master Certification. These tests must be passed every five years in order to maintain certification.

Why Does Automotive Service Excellence Certification Matter?

When a customer brings their vehicle in for repairs, they want to know their car is being fixed by a reputable professional. Customers trust the Automotive Service Excellence Certification seal because they know their mechanic is a master in vehicle repair.

When the ASE seal is displayed outside of a service station, customers know there is at least one mechanic in the building with the best automotive education available. They know their vehicle is in good hands and will be repaired with the best craftsmanship possible.