Here’s how ASE certification works: Prospective candidates register for and take one or more of ASE’s 40-plus exams. The tests are grouped into specialties for automobile, medium/heavy truck, truck equipment, school bus, and collision repair technicians as well as engine machinists, alternate fuels technicians, parts specialists, auto service consultants, and collision damage estimators.
Upon passing at least one exam and after providing proof of two years of relevant work experience, the test taker becomes ASE certified. Certification, however, is not for life. To remain certified, those with ASE credentials must be retested every five years.
The problem I have with word of mouth is it is very possible that the people saying “Joe down at the local shop is a great mechanic, you should take your car there” is that it is entirely possible these people praising Joe have no idea how to accuratly judge a mechanic.
I don’t think my second idea deserves its own thread so I ask here. Is it very possible (perhaps even likely) that many mechanics are doing what is happening with many employees from other fields and that is taking jobs that they are way over trained for? What I am getting at is, are we seeing more fully trained and capable mechanics working “quickie lube” type jobs simply to be doing some kind of work? I must add that I do feel a bit guilty about how I used to complain how unfair things could get in the shop and now even those "unfair’ jobs are gone. I have not seen an advertisement in the newspaper seeking a mechanic here in Tucson for at least a year.
The problem I have with word of mouth is it is very possible that the people saying “Joe down at the local shop is a great mechanic, you should take your car there” is that it is entirely possible these people praising Joe have no idea how to accuratly judge a mechanic.
YUP…Most people I work with know NOTHING about cars. All they know is that mechanic A is not charging them as much as mechanic B…so he MUST be good and honest.
I understand what you’re saying. But in truth, it’s really pretty tough to tell if the guy that’ll actually be under your car is any good anyway. That’s why I like an owner operated shop, because the owner is always there to make sure any problems can be resolved.
You might have a point about the underemployment issue. We haven’t seen it up here in NH, there seems to still be work for qualified mechanics, but I’ve on doubt it’s happening elsewhere. I extend my deepest respect to those working below their qualifications. Those willing to do whatever is necessary are the ones that will endure and survive this odeous recession.
FROM ASE WEBSITE!
ASE Master Technician Status
You can earn Master Technician status by passing a specified group of tests in a series. The tests needed for each test series are listed below. You must also document at least two years of hands-on work experience.
You must recertify in each test area every five years. If you let one of the required certifications expire, you lose your Master Technician status. You can regain it by taking the recertification test(s), even after you let a certification expire. Note that there is no time limit. Once you pass your original ASE test, you only need to take the recertification test, no matter how long it’s been expired.
Test Series Tests needed for Master status Notes
Automobile A1 through A8 A9 Diesel Engines is not required.
Collision Repair B2 through B5 B6 Damage Analysis and Estimating is not required.
Engine Machinist M1 through M3
Medium/Heavy Truck T2 through T7 T1 Gasoline Engines and T8 PMI are not required.
School Bus S1 through S6 S7 Air Conditioning Systems and Controls is not required.
Transit Bus H1 or H2, plus H3 through H8 Only one engine repair test, H1 CNG Engines or H2 Diesel Engines, is required.
Truck Equipment E1 through E3
Good point on keeping up. I took a car to the radiator shop around 1997 or so, and though it is a long story not especially relevant, the thug there did not know antifreeze had been re-formulated and now 60% provides more protection than 50%. He didn’t do much else right, either.
Read that site again. To attain MASTER TECH status you have to pass all areas, yada, yada, yada. One can become ASE certified in only one or more areas without attaining Master Tech status.
How many have YOU taken? I’m guessing…none…since they mean absolutely nothing. I said and I meant master tech.cert. At least when I updated my last comment and realized it wasn’t entirely correct. I have passed all 8 and have the 2 years. Need to apply. I’m not a Master Tech by any means. I’m not a tech at all. Not yet. I was trying to get a feel of what the climate would be when I entered the workforce with certification in hand. Obviously most of you do not think much of someone that tried to get off on the right foot. Frankly I could care. I hold my head high and will continue to adapt to new technology and attend ANY school possible and achieve ANY certification possible because unlike the masses I believe it matters.
Let me guess. Snapon is a ripoff and Craftsman is just fine? Metric is the devil?
I think rip off joints is a little severe. In many simple repairs they provide a simple answer, and many people are satisfied with a new battery shocks or tires. Certainly if you have an issue that needs quality diagnosis and repair you need a quality technician with the proper diagnostic tools. How does one know what shop has what diagnostic equipment? You don’t.
Firestone and Sears locally offer much more “advice” than a battery or tire replacement. They find worn suspension or other bits that the dealer or indy never mention.
EdNC878991, Why Bother Asking For Our Opinions ?
Attitude Is Important For One Trying To Get Off On The Right Foot.
I was trying to get a feel of what the climate would be when I entered the workforce with certification in hand. Obviously most of you do not think much of someone that tried to get off on the right foot. Frankly I could care."
There are years and years of experience behind the replies to your query. You would be wise to reconsider your attitude toward them.
Is Mike saying that all that needs to happen for mechanic “A” to be considered better than mechanic “B” is that the bill presented from “A” be smaller for the same job? At times I don’t get the messsage when there is sarcasam mixed up in the statement. I think it is fine to play the jokester but then clear things up before you close your post.
I firmly believe there is more too a good repair than simply the lowest price, like doing all that is required and doing it well, using the best parts.The trouble is, is that the customer cannot tell if steps in the repair were skipped or even if a sub-standard quality part was used.
More in line with the OP’s question: Having the “Master Technican” certification from your brand is much more telling about your abilities than having the “Master Technican” lable from ASE.
Back to the education compared to ability on the job topic, I thought I would share an anecdote with everyone, while not car-related:
I currently work in a plastics manufacturing plant. It’s a large company with dozens of manufacturing locations worldwide and about 13 of them in the United States alone. Our main engineering guy has been there for about 20 years and is one seriously sharp guy. Everyone refers to him as “Poly 911” because if there is a problem in our department that no one can figure out, he is the guy to call. He does all the electrical engineering, computer programming, and design for creating new production lines or updating old ones. If another plant has a problem they can’t figure out, this guy gets flown out there to work on the problem and solve it. The funny part is that if he were looking to get hired on to our company from the outside, he would not be considered hireable. He does not have a high school diploma or GED, and one of those is required to get hired on with this company. He started out packing boxes and sweeping floors as a high school dropout and worked his way to the absolute top of the game.
I ask why does he not just spend a few hours and get that GED? The idea of a “permenant employee” or an employee that “can’t be done without” is a very dated concept.I did fine without a GED for many many years but when I wanted to return to school (due to injury) and train for another line of work, no financial aid was offered until I had a GED( it took about 8 hours spread out over 4 test periods). Is the refusal to take the GED tests some kind of protest statement from “Poly 911”? this would be easy to understand.Poly 911 better have a backup plan in case a management group with different requirements takes over.
Well, you’re wrong again. I have passed a number of ASE tests in the past. Those ASEs are stuffed away in my attic and basement along with manufacturer sponsored school certificates. Certificates, Subaru Master Tech diplomas, cuff links, stick pins, and even a few Subaru belt buckles; the latter being rare collectible items.
I’ve allowed it all to lapse because none of it has ever paid for a cup of coffee even.
Why did I take all of these tests? Because I was promised pay raises. Pay raises did not occur so ergo, down they come.
You’ve made my point. From your posts it’s apparent your mechanical skills are lacking and yet you’ve passed the tests. It’s all about a warm fuzzy feeling, both as to you and anyone who sees an ASE emblem.
So a dealer with a Carfax sign out front, a business with a BBB sticker on the door, a shop with an ASE sign out front, or even an AMA member doctor licensed by the state medical board pretty assures someone of the utmost in honest, quality service?
About 20 years ago the highly qualified, state and federal licensed sewage plant operator near here was violating pollution laws right and left by dumping raw sewage into the watershed. This led to the city getting hammered with fines, sewage rates going through the roof, and several people ending up in Federal prison. So much for “certification”.
No idea where you’re coming from on the tool thing. Both are good and both have been known to sell inferior tools on occcasion. Nothing wrong with metric because I’ve been a foreign car tech for decades and I’ve even got a fair amount of Whitworth tools.
Look at the last post by mark9207 about the guy in the plastics plant. That’s about as good an example as one can find where experience trumps paperwork.
My wife worked as a bookkeeper for a large department store chain. She’s very good with money and numbers and never took any college or formal accounting classes. Whenever a financial problem cropped up at another store they used to send her there to root the problem out and at one time they wanted her to become a traveling auditor for the company, which was based in St. Louis. She refused only because she did not want to be on the road all of the time. Use that as another example.
Let me be clear and not get caught up in pride or emotion and just spew garbage. First if I offended I am sorry. Not originally my intention. Second I posted this question for consumers but I am really more concerned that the guy in the bay next to me or that I am asked to shadow or train with will have the same attitude as some that have responded. I would hope that I would be a welcome memeber to the team as that is my goal. I have seem how a shop can run like a well oiled machine or go down in flames and in most cases it is due to attitude and moral. When I was an advisor I tried to rescpect the techs, buy them a drink when they were hot and sweaty and crawling out from under a dash or bring them a sandwich if they were stuck working through lunch. I’ve even gone to pick up kids from school when one guy was in a pinch. I am a team player as we all should be. Again, giving the veteran techs here “attitude” was not my intention because most likely I will need gentlemen like you to point me in the right direction later.
The guy next to you will barely give a second look at your credentials (or mine). The training (and credential) thing did pay off for me in a way that I bet no one expected. When the “new for me” 7 series BMW came out in 2001 I was not yet trained to work on them (and never did become trained). Well this worked out just great as the cars has a tremendous amount of “teething” trouble (meaning there were software bugs to be worked out). Since I could not be dispatched a 7 series (and all work being paid at warranty rate)I was spared the addition of another car to my lineup that you can work on for 8 hrs and flag 1.5.
I have passed all 8 and have the 2 years. Need to apply. I’m not a Master Tech by any means. I’m not a tech at all. Not yet. I was trying to get a feel of what the climate would be when I entered the workforce with certification in hand. Obviously most of you do not think much of someone that tried to get off on the right foot. Frankly I could care. I hold my head high and will continue to adapt to new technology and attend ANY school possible and achieve ANY certification possible because unlike the masses I believe it matters.