Guide · mechanic certification, checked Oct 2026
Auto mechanic certification, four kinds
“Auto mechanic certification” is used for four different things: ASE certification, which you earn by passing a test and documenting experience; a school's certificate for finishing a program; a manufacturer's training credential; and, in some states and for some jobs, a license. The first is the national one, and school and manufacturer training can count toward it.
The four kinds
ASE certification
A national, voluntary credential, earned one test at a time and valid for 5 years. It needs a passed test plus 2 years of full-time hands-on work, 1 year for G1. See the certifications list.
School certificates
A community college or trade school awards its own certificate or degree. It isn't a certification in itself, but an ASE-accredited program counts toward the ASE experience requirement; the credit rules are on the certification page.
Manufacturer (OEM) programs
Manufacturer-sponsored co-op programs, such as GM ASEP, Ford ASSET or Toyota T-TEN (examples named on ASE's work experience form), train technicians on one brand. Some are ASE-accredited, and their hands-on part counts toward the experience requirement (up to 2 years; see the credit rules).
State licenses
Some jobs need a state license. In California, the Bureau of Automotive Repair licenses smog-check repair technicians (one route: hold A6, A8 and L1) and vehicle safety systems technicians (A4, A5 and A6), checked Oct 23, 2026. A license comes with its own fees and renewal on top of the certification tests.
ASE tests for car mechanics
| Test | Work experience required | Where you take it | Certification valid for | Practice | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASE G1Auto Maintenance and Light Repair | 1 year | Center or remote | 5 years | Practice test Facts | ASE: work experience requirements · ASE Certification: Need to Know (Jan 2026) | |
| ASE A5Brakes | 2 years | Test center only | 5 years | Practice test Facts | ASE: work experience requirements · ASE Certification: Need to Know (Jan 2026) | |
| ASE A6Electrical/Electronic Systems | 2 years | Test center only | 5 years | Practice test Facts | ASE: work experience requirements · ASE Certification: Need to Know (Jan 2026) | |
| ASE A1Engine Repair | 2 years | Test center only | 5 years | Practice test Facts | ASE: work experience requirements · ASE Certification: Need to Know (Jan 2026) | |
| ASE A8Engine Performance | 2 years | Test center only | 5 years | Practice test Facts | ASE: work experience requirements · ASE Certification: Need to Know (Jan 2026) |
Can you get certified online?
An online course can prepare you, but the certification itself comes from a proctored test. A first attempt is test center only for every test except G1, which can also be taken with remote proctoring at home or work. Recertification can be taken remotely for every test.
EPA refrigerant certification, which the EPA requires of anyone who buys or works with refrigerants (per the BLS), is a separate credential.
ASE, not ACE
The national mechanic certification is ASE, from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. “ACE certified mechanic” is a common misspelling of it.
Practice on your phone
ASE G1 practice app
Take practice tests and review every answer in a study app. Not affiliated with ASE.
Optional. Each test on this site also has a free practice test in the browser.
Next steps
- ASE certification Every ASE test series, the requirements and the steps from myASE to certificate
- ASE study guide Free official study guides, 2026 changes, licensed books, task-list plan
- Master Technician The eight tests A1–A8, Master truck T2–T8, and how to keep the status
- ASE test cost Registration, test, retake and recertification fees for each test, as of Oct 2026
- Diesel certification Which diesel test to take: T2 for trucks, A9 for light vehicles, L2 above them
- ASE recertification Recertification tests, remote testing and the Renewal App: when, how and what each costs
- How to become a mechanic School or on-the-job, then the ASE tests: the path from first job to certified technician
Mechanic certification questions
How do I get an auto mechanic certification?
Pick the kind first. For the national one, ASE, you pass a proctored test and document the hands-on experience; a school program or a manufacturer co-op shortens that. A school certificate comes from finishing the program, and a state license, where a job needs one, is a separate application.
Can you become ASE certified without going to school?
Yes. School is optional: full-time work experience on its own meets the requirement.
Is a mechanic license required?
It depends on the state and the job. In California, smog-check repair and vehicle safety systems work are licensed by the Bureau of Automotive Repair; check your own state's licensing agency.
How much does mechanic certification cost?
One test bought alone is $96 in 2026. School and state license fees are separate. See test cost.