Work Experience Requirements
Most automotive technicians know the central role of testing in the ASE certification process. But certification requires more than the ability to answer test questions; it also requires proof that you’ve been working in the industry, or receiving relevant training.
Experience Varies by Certification Type
To become ASE certified, you must pass an ASE test and have relevant hands-on work experience. The amount of work experience required can vary by test, and is specified in detail at the link below. ASE recommends submitting the form after you've registered to take an ASE certification test.
You may claim experience in one or more of the following areas.
- Repair Technician – 1, 2, or 3 years
- Parts Specialist – 2 years
- Collision Damage Estimator – 2 years
- Service Consultant – 2 years
You may register and take tests (except for the X1 test) before you have the necessary experience. If you do so, you will receive a score report, but you will not earn certification or receive certificates until you fulfill the experience requirement.
Different Types of Work Experience
The Work Experience Form has separate sections for different types of automotive industry job experience, and your work experience must match the kind of certification you are trying to achieve. For example, experience as a Repair Technician (automobile, truck, school bus, etc.) does not satisfy the experience requirements for Collision Damage Estimator (test B6), Automobile Service Consultant (test C1), or Parts Specialist (tests P1, P2, and P4).
Substitutions
You may receive credit for some of the work experience requirement by substituting relevant formal training.
Canadian Technicians
For Canadian Technicians, a valid provincial automotive trade certificate is acceptable evidence of sufficient work experience to satisfy the Repair Technician 1 year and 2 year requirements. Attach a copy of your provincial license to your completed form.
ASE reserves the right to evaluate all requests for substitution of training for experience and to grant such credit as may be appropriate. Work experience other than that described above also may be credited toward fulfillment of the work experience where, in ASE’s judgment, the nature of the experience so warrants.
If you have questions about the work experience requirement or training substitutions, call ASE Customer Service at 1-800-390-6789, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday.
Registration Dates
Winter Registration
January 10, 2026 - March 31, 2026
Spring Registration
April 10, 2026 - June 30, 2026
Summer Registration
July 10, 2026 - September 30, 2026
Fall Registration
October 10, 2026 - December 31, 2026
Testing FAQs
ASE Certification tests are written in workshops by a national panel of seasoned automotive industry professionals, including working technicians, automobile manufacturers, aftermarket manufacturers, and educators. Not by any single person at ASE.
Exams are segmented by sub-specialty such as automobile, medium/heavy truck, school bus, collision repair, and more. There are over 50 tests, each designed to discern the automotive service technician’s knowledge of job-related skills.
Purchasing and scheduling a test can be done by logging in to your myASE account. To purchase a test, select the test you want to take and pay the applicable fees. A registration fee is charged per order in addition to the test fee. Once you have purchased a test, you will have 90 days from the original date of purchase to schedule an appointment and take your test. Visit myASE to get started.
Certification credentials are valid for five years. If it has been five years or more since you took a test, it’s time to take the corresponding Recertification Test. The five-year requirement ensures certified professionals are current in this rapidly changing industry. You can find your expiration dates on your certificates or in myASE.
You may take the Recertification Tests even if your credentials have expired. You simply must have been previously certified in that specialty area. If you have some certifications that expire soon and others that are still good for some time, you may take Recertification Tests for any or all of them. If you recertify early, you will not be credited with the time remaining on your original certification. The new expiration date occurs five years from the date of your recertification.
If you wish to change your test date or time, you must first cancel the existing appointment before you can schedule a new one. No changes are allowed within three days of your scheduled appointment. To make changes, use the Cancel Selected Appointment(s) option in myASE. For assistance by phone, call ASE Customer Care at 800-390-6789 from 8AM – 5PM Eastern Monday – Friday.
If you wish to cancel a test, you must first cancel any existing appointment for that test AND then cancel the test. Use the Cancel Test option in myASE. If you are within three days of your testing appointment, you cannot cancel the appointment or test. You can only cancel a test and receive a refund for a test that you purchased. For assistance by phone, call ASE Customer Care at 800-390-6789 from 8AM – 5PM Eastern Monday – Friday.
To become ASE Certified, you must pass an ASE test and have full-time, hands-on work experience (or a combination of formal training and experience). The amount of work experience required can vary by test.
It is best to submit your work experience form for review after you have created a myASE account. It does not have to be submitted before you take your test, but your certificate for a passed test will be delayed until your work experience information is reviewed and approved. See the work experience requirements here and complete the work experience form online.