What ASE Certification Is and Why It Is Important
If you’re interested in a career in automotive technology, becoming ASE-certified can be a major plus. At NYADI The College of Transportation Technology, based in Jamaica, NY, students can attend associate degree or certificate academic programs that prepare them for careers in the automotive industry and take ASE certification tests. Here, we discuss ASE certification and why it is important to have.
What Is ASE Certification?
ASE certification, also known as Automotive Service Excellence, is a certification granted through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. This non-profit organization sets the minimal standard of excellence for an automotive technician. The ASE certifies individuals who have completed an automotive repair training program and passed the accompanying tests to ensure they know how to work on different components of vehicles, including mechanical and electrical.
Why Is ASE Certification Important?
Having an ASE certification is important for automotive technicians because it demonstrates that an automotive technician has the qualifications, skills, and knowledge to repair and maintain vehicles. ASE certifications indicate expertise in the field, so having an ASE certification can benefit technicians in many ways. They include:
- Increasing a technician’s chances of being hired at automotive repair shops
- Enhancing the technician’s earning potential
- Recognizing the technician as an experienced and dedicated worker
When a mechanic or technician earns an ASE certification, the Automotive Service Excellence Certification seal can be displayed outside their shop. This can benefit customers and employers alike because customers can have peace of mind about the quality of the shop’s work. In turn, employers can get more business.
How Do You Earn an ASE Certification?
To be eligible to earn an ASE certification, an automotive technician must meet specialized criteria, which includes:
- Completion of a two-year Automotive Technology or Automotive and Diesel Technology associate degree program, plus one year of on-the-job training
OR
- Completion of two full years of on-the-job training in the automotive industry
- Passing the ASE examination at a local testing center
The time it takes to become ASE certified will depend on factors like whether the technician has completed a training program and the hands-on experience they have. Technicians holding ASE certifications must become recertified every five years, so continuing education is often necessary.
What Are the Types of ASE Certification?
The ASE offers a few different types of certification tests that each cover different aspects of the automotive service and repair industry. Technicians can choose to specialize in a certain area or specific vehicles or equipment. Some examples of ASE specialty certifications include:
- Electrical systems
- Brakes
- Suspension and steering
- Compressed natural gas
- Collision repair
- Heating and air conditioning
- Painting and refinishing
There is also an ASE Master Certification, which is for automotive professionals who have passed several tests on various specialties. The certification test covers a wide range of vehicle aspects, including truck equipment and repair, school and transit buses, engine mechanics, collision repair, and more. ASE Certified Master Technicians are qualified to work on every mechanical and electrical component and system in a vehicle.
Training for ASE Certification at NYADI
At NYADI, we provide degree and certificate automotive training programs that prepare students with the knowledge and skills they need to enter the automotive repair industry and take the ASE certification tests. All our academic programs are based on the standards set by the ASE, and we encourage all graduates to pursue ASE certification to enhance their marketability. At NYADI, we help prepare students for ASE certification by providing the most up-to-date knowledge of the industry and hands-on training taught by ASE-certified instructors. Other benefits of attending automotive training at NYADI include:
- Small class sizes for individualized attention
- Career services that help with resumes, job interview prep, job search assistance, tutoring, and more
- Full- and part-time course options
- Financial aid to those who qualify
- Manufacturer partnerships with Ford, Audi USA, Toyota, and more
- Easily accessible campus in Jamaica, NY
- Accreditation by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
NYADI is an Ability-to-Benefit (ATB) technical college, so we welcome students of all backgrounds, including those who do not have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. Students without high school diplomas will take Test Assessment Secondary Completion (TASC) courses to prepare them for the High School Equivalency (HSE) exam.
Start the Process of Becoming ASE Certified With NYADI
Becoming ASE certified can benefit automotive technicians in various ways. If you’re looking to start on the path of ASE certification, apply to the automotive training program of your choosing at NYADI in Jamaica, NY to get your training requirement completed. For more information about admissions or enrollment, contact an admissions representative today.