Entry Level

Rev up your career with ASE certifications! From entry-level expertise to professional mastery, ASE opens doors to higher pay, career growth, and industry recognition. Employers seek ASE-certified pros for their commitment to excellence. Stay ahead in the fast lane of the automotive world – invest in your skills, drive success!

Certification Pathway

ASE Certification Pathway

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Entry-Level certification tests are designed to indicate a satisfactory level of practical knowledge-based readiness for the workforce in candidates seeking a career in the automotive service industry. ASE Entry-Level certification tests are available for the Automobile, Collision Repair/Refinish and M/H Truck segments (series). ASE Entry-level certification is the first step in building career credentials as an automotive service professional.

ASE Entry-Level Tests

Automobile

  • Automatic Transmission/Transaxle
  • Automobile Service Technology
  • Brakes
  • Electrical/Electronic Systems
  • Engine Performance
  • Engine Repair
  • Heating and Air Conditioning
  • Maintenance and Light Repair
  • Manual Drive Train and Axles
  • Suspension and Steering

Collison Repair & Refinish

  • Mechanical and Electrical
  • Non-structural Analysis and Damage Repair
  • Painting and Refinishing
  • Structural Analysis and Damage Repair
  • Collision Repair and Refinish Fundamentals

Medium / Heavy Truck

  • Brakes
  • Diesel Engines
  • Electrical/Electronic Systems
  • Suspension & Steering
  • Inspection Maintenance & Minor Repair

How to Claim the G1 Certification

The ASE Education Foundation has established an exciting new opportunity for students that participate in the ASE Entry-Level Certification testing program:

  • School/Program is currently an ASE Accredited Training Program
  • Pass (8) specific ASE Entry-Level Certification Tests and
  • Submit the eligible work experience (6-months of full-time work or 1-year of part-time work)

Students will automatically receive 6-months towards the required 1 year of work experience requirement and the ASE professional certification in G1 – Maintenance & Light Repair. This award must be claimed through their ASE Entry-Level student dashboard to be activated.

Watch the Video
8 ASE Entry-Level Automobile Certifications

Overview and Fees

We perform a thorough, strategic review and offer accreditation to programs that meet the requirements of the industry’s instructional standards. For each program—Automobile, Collision Repair and Refinish, or Medium/Heavy Duty Truck—the accreditation process is the same; an effective methodology that dives deep into program structure.

Collaboration is at the core of the accreditation process—we believe that successful programs are built on a healthy exchange between educators, experts, students, and community. A strong Advisory Committee helps support each program successfully bridge the gap between real world needs and classroom activities. An ASE Education Foundation Field Manager is also available, to guide programs through the process.

Non-Accredited Schools/Programs ASE Accredited Schools/Programs
Seat License (per user) $51.00 $46.00
30 – Users $1,470.00 $1,320.00
50 – Users $2,350.00 $2,100.00
100 – Users $4,600.00 $4,100.00
200 – Users $9,000.00 $8,000.00

Note: These prices apply to applications submitted as of 7/1/2023. See https://bit.ly/ASE2023 pricing for more details. Payment for the ETL honorarium and the ETL expenses are now included in the base accreditation and manufacturer fees (if applicable) and are paid to the ETL by the ASE Education Foundation at the conclusion of the on-site visit.

It is anticipated that team members recruited from local independent repair facilities and dealerships will serve without charge to the institution.

The ASE Education Foundation must receive the application fee with the completed application. Applications received without payment will be returned to the program for resubmission with payment.

Costs of Initial Accreditation and Renewal of Accreditation are subject to change. Contact the ASE Education Foundation for current information.

ASE is required to collect sales tax on applicable purchases in AK, AR, AL, AZ, CA, CO, HI, IA, IL, IN, LA, MA, ME, MD, MI, MN, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, and WY.

Frequently Asked Questions

NATEF and AYES have merged to form a brand-new organization: the ASE Education Foundation! This was effective January 1, 2018. What does this mean for you? No real change. We will still accredit programs and work with students to achieve internships and industry employment. We are just taking advantage of the ASE brand to make it easier to do so.

If your program was accredited as of December 1, 2017 you can complete the “Send me my login credentials” link. If your program has never been accredited or was previous to December 1, 2017, you can complete the “I’m interested in accreditation” link. This will generate login credentials to you via e-mail.

The accreditation documents are available in the Resources section of the website.

Once the application for accreditation is submitted, it can take roughly 6 months to complete the process. For programs that are renewing accreditation, it is recommended the application be submitted at least 6 months prior to your expiration date. PLEASE NOTE: The 6 months processing time is an estimate based on receipt of a complete application, including payment, and the premise the program does not require improvements prior to or after an on-site visit.

The ASE Education Foundation accepts payment in the form of check, purchase order, and credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express). Payment is required when the application is submitted.

No, team members must be provided when submitting your application. These individuals may change prior to the on-site evaluation. This is acceptable if the Evaluation Team Leader (ETL) is informed of any changes at least two weeks prior to the on-site evaluation date.

Yes, each standard and sub-standard must be rated by the advisory committee regardless of application type.

Advisory Committee Members convene twice per year and review the program. They conduct an evaluation of the program before the application is submitted. Team Members evaluate the program during the on-site. Team members must also meet more specific criteria than that of the Advisory Members.

Yes. However, the program will have improvements to make and may not be approved for an on-site evaluation. The average ratings on standards 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 must be a 4. A program may not be approved for an on-site if the average rating on standards 1-5 is less than a 4.

No, if the application is submitted in a timely fashion, the program will have until the length of their application validity to correct any deficiencies.

The ASE Education Foundation does not define how credit transfer is structured between institutions. You should discuss articulation directly with your partner institution.