9 Best Automotive Certifications of 2026

Make ASE certification your main goal. ASE asks for two years of hands-on work for the A1 to A9 tests, certification lasts five years, and passing A1 through A8 earns Master Automobile Technician status. Get EPA Section 609 certification early, because federal rules require it to service vehicle air conditioning and buy refrigerant in containers of two pounds or more, and MACS sells the online test for $24. If you are still choosing a school, a manufacturer co-op such as GM ASEP or Honda PACT is the strongest route: you study at an ASE Education Foundation accredited college, work paid hours at a dealership, and ASE counts an accredited OEM co-op as two years toward its experience requirement. Students in any accredited program can start with ASE Entry-Level tests, and techs moving into hybrids and EVs should look at Weber State's online high-voltage courses.

Top picks

Best overall

ASE Certification (Automobile & Light Truck)

8.8 / 10

Working mechanics with two years of experience

Read the review →

Runner-up

EPA Section 609 Certification (MACS)

8.5 / 10

Every mechanic who touches vehicle A/C systems

Read the review →

Also great

GM ASEP

8.2 / 10

Students who want to become GM dealership technicians

Read the review →

Comparison table

#	Tool	Best for	Pricing	Score
1	ASE Certification (Automobile & Light Truck)	Working mechanics with two years of experience	See vendor pricing (USD check pending); ASE lists $62 per test plus a $34 registration fee per order	8.8
2	EPA Section 609 Certification (MACS)	Every mechanic who touches vehicle A/C systems	$24 for the online test; $29 for the home-study mail-in test	8.5
3	GM ASEP	Students who want to become GM dealership technicians	See vendor pricing (USD check pending); each participating college sets its own costs	8.2
4	Honda PACT	Students aiming for Honda or Acura dealerships	See vendor pricing (USD check pending); cost varies by school and state	8.1
5	ASE Entry-Level Certification	Auto tech students still in school	$47 per test seat for ASE accredited programs; $57 for non-accredited programs	8.0
6	Weber State University Hybrid and EV Training	Working techs moving into hybrid and EV repair	$394 for the online Phase I high-voltage safety course; Phase II costs $772	7.7
7	I-CAR Platinum	Mechanics working in collision repair shops	See vendor pricing (USD check pending); training is priced per course or through shop subscriptions	7.6
8	Universal Technical Institute Automotive & EV Technology	Career changers who want a fast full-time program	$45,800 tuition for Automotive & EV Technology at the Mooresville, North Carolina campus; costs vary by campus	7.3
9	Lincoln Tech Automotive Service Technology	Students who want campus training at a lower price than UTI	$37,554 tuition for the Automotive Service Technology diploma at Melrose Park, Illinois; $41,213 including books, tools and fees	7.2

The full ranking

1. 1.

   Rank 1 · Best overall

   ASE Certification (Automobile & Light Truck)

   The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence's professional certification tests for automotive technicians, including the A1 to A9 automobile series.

   ase.com

   8.8

   out of 10

   Best for: Working mechanics with two years of experience

   ASE certification is the answer most mechanics are looking for when they ask which credential to get. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence runs more than 50 tests, and the automobile series covers nine areas: engine repair, automatic transmissions, manual drive trains, suspension and steering, brakes, electrical systems, heating and air conditioning, engine performance and light vehicle diesel engines. Pass A1 through A8 and you are recognized as an ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technician. Each test runs 40 to 50 scored questions, and ASE lists a $62 fee per test plus a $34 registration fee per order, with advanced L-series tests at $124. The catch is experience: A1 to A9 require two years of hands-on work, although an accredited school counts as one year and an accredited manufacturer co-op counts as two. Certification lasts five years, and recertification tests are about half as long, with online remote testing and an annual renewal app as options.

   Standout feature

   It is the only credential on this list that leads to ASE Master Automobile Technician status, earned by passing A1 through A8.

   Use cases

   • Technicians with two years in a shop

     Pass A1 through A8 over several test windows

     Outcome: ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technician status

   • Recent graduates of an accredited program

     Take A5 Brakes and A4 Suspension and Steering

     Outcome: First ASE certificates once one more year of work is documented

   Key features

   • Nine automobile tests, A1 Engine Repair through A9 Light Vehicle Diesel Engines
   • Passing A1 through A8 earns ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technician status; A9 is not required
   • Two years of work experience for A1 to A9, with credit for accredited training
   • Credentials are valid for five years, and recertification tests are about half as long
   • Testing at Prometric centers or online remote testing for those eligible

   Pros

   • +The certification most US shops and dealers ask for by name
   • +Each test stands alone, so you can certify one area at a time
   • +Recertification can be done online or through the ASE Renewal App

   Cons

   • -Certificates are held until you document the required work experience
   • -Must be renewed every five years
   • -Advanced L1 to L4 tests cost $124 each and need three years of experience
2. 2.

   Rank 2 · Runner-up

   EPA Section 609 Certification (MACS)

   The Mobile Air Climate Systems Association's EPA Section 609 test for technicians who service motor vehicle air conditioning.

   macsmobileairclimate.org

   8.5

   out of 10

   Best for: Every mechanic who touches vehicle A/C systems

   EPA Section 609 certification is the one automotive credential the law requires before you service vehicle air conditioning. MACS, one of several approved providers, notes that technicians need a Section 609 card to buy refrigerant in containers of two pounds or more, and that fines can reach $40,000 per day. The test is open book with about 25 multiple-choice questions, and you need a score of 84 to pass. It covers the five mobile A/C refrigerants, including R-1234yf, which was added to the program in 2015. The online test costs $24 and the mail-in home-study version costs $29. MACS offers a free 10-question practice test and a $35 recorded webinar, and mails a wallet card within 24 hours of a pass. The credential does not expire. It proves you can handle refrigerant legally, not that you can diagnose a car, so treat it as a quick first step before ASE.

   Standout feature

   At $24 for the online test, it is the cheapest credential on this list and the only one federal rules require.

   Use cases

   • Apprentices and lube techs

     Take the online open-book test

     Outcome: A lifetime card that allows refrigerant purchases and A/C service

   • Techs certified before 2015

     Retest to cover R-1234yf

     Outcome: A current card that lists the newer refrigerant

   Key features

   • Open-book test with about 25 multiple-choice questions, in English or Spanish
   • Passing score of 84
   • Covers R-12, R-134a, R-152a, R-744 (CO2) and R-1234yf
   • Free 10-question practice test and a $35 recorded training webinar
   • Wallet card mailed within 24 hours of passing, plus a printable temporary certificate

   Pros

   • +Legally required to buy refrigerant in containers of two pounds or more
   • +Certification earned since 1991 does not expire
   • +Online test can be finished in one sitting from home

   Cons

   • -Covers A/C refrigerant handling only, not general repair skills
   • -Failing means buying another attempt for $29
   • -Older cards lack R-1234yf, so MACS recommends retesting for newer systems
3. 3.

   Rank 3 · Also great

   GM ASEP

   General Motors' Automotive Service Educational Program, a college co-op that alternates classroom study with work at a sponsoring GM dealership.

   gmasep.org

   8.2

   out of 10

   Best for: Students who want to become GM dealership technicians

   GM ASEP is the strongest manufacturer route on this list for students who want a dealership career. Since 1979 the program says it has trained more than 17,000 technicians. You enroll at a participating college, all of which are accredited by the ASE Education Foundation, and alternate between classes and paid work at a sponsoring GM dealer or ACDelco Professional Service Center on a schedule set by the school and its dealer advisory council. Graduates finish with GM-specific training hours through the Service Technical College or ACDelco, which the program says reduces later training for the dealership. The ASE angle is just as useful: ASE counts an accredited OEM co-op such as GM ASEP as two years toward the experience requirement for A1 to A9 tests, so graduates can certify right away. The trade-off is flexibility. Each school is run independently, so you have to contact the college for tuition and schedules, and you need a dealer sponsor.

   Standout feature

   ASE treats the program as two years of work experience, so graduates can sit ASE tests and get certified without waiting.

   Use cases

   • High school graduates near a participating college

     Enroll with a sponsoring GM dealer

     Outcome: College credential, GM training hours and paid shop time

   • Dealer service managers

     Sponsor a student through the program

     Outcome: A technician trained on GM systems and procedures

   Key features

   • All participating colleges are accredited by the ASE Education Foundation
   • Students alternate between college classes and work at a sponsoring dealership
   • Sponsors are GM dealers or ACDelco Professional Service Centers
   • Training hours through GM's Service Technical College or ACDelco
   • Schools across the United States and Canada

   Pros

   • +Paid work experience at a dealership while you study
   • +ASE counts an accredited manufacturer co-op as two years of its experience requirement
   • +Running since 1979, with more than 17,000 technicians trained

   Cons

   • -You need a sponsoring dealership, which ties you to the GM brand
   • -Costs, schedules and services vary because each school operates independently
   • -Only available at participating colleges
4. 4.

   Rank 4

   Honda PACT

   American Honda's Professional Automotive Career Training program for students who want to become Honda and Acura certified technicians.

   hondapact.com

   8.1

   out of 10

   Best for: Students aiming for Honda or Acura dealerships

   Honda PACT is the manufacturer program to pick if Honda or Acura is the brand you want to work on. American Honda says the program runs at more than 40 locations in the US and typically takes about two years, although some students finish sooner. Graduates of the automotive program earn either an associate's degree or a certificate in Automotive Technology from an ASE Education Foundation certified school, plus four Honda and Acura certifications taught by Honda-certified instructors, and they can go on to earn ASE certifications. Students work paid on-the-job training hours at a Honda or Acura dealership, and the schedule is built to allow that. Honda points to more than 1,300 Honda and Acura dealerships in the US as potential employers. The downside is that cost varies from school to school and state to state, and Honda tells you to contact each school for details, so budgeting takes extra work.

   Standout feature

   It is the only program on this list that includes four Honda and Acura certifications along with a college credential.

   Use cases

   • Students near one of the 40-plus locations

     Complete the two-year program with a dealership internship

     Outcome: A degree or certificate plus four Honda and Acura certifications

   • Career changers who need income while training

     Work paid OJT hours at a Honda dealership

     Outcome: Wages and shop experience during the program

   Key features

   • More than 40 locations across the US
   • Typically about two years to complete
   • Associate's degree or certificate in Automotive Technology from an ASE Education Foundation school
   • Four Honda and Acura certifications taught by Honda-certified instructors
   • Paid on-the-job training at a Honda or Acura dealership

   Pros

   • +Earn brand certifications and a college credential in one program
   • +Paid internship wages while you study
   • +More than 1,300 Honda and Acura dealerships in the US to work at

   Cons

   • -Tuition is not published centrally, so you must ask each school
   • -Takes around two years
   • -Training focuses on Honda and Acura products
5. 5.

   Rank 5

   ASE Entry-Level Certification

   The ASE Education Foundation's student tests that show workforce readiness before you have the experience for professional ASE certification.

   aseeducationfoundation.org

   8.0

   out of 10

   Best for: Auto tech students still in school

   ASE Entry-Level certification is the credential to earn while you are still in school. The ASE Education Foundation describes the tests as a measure of practical, knowledge-based readiness for students heading into automotive service, and they cover automobile, collision and medium/heavy truck work. The automobile series includes tests such as Brakes, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Engine Performance, Suspension and Steering and Maintenance and Light Repair. The best perk is the G1 pathway: students at an ASE accredited program who pass eight specific Entry-Level tests and submit six months of full-time or one year of part-time work get six months credited toward the one-year requirement for the professional G1 Maintenance and Light Repair certification. Schools buy test seats at $47 each if accredited or $57 if not. The Foundation is also the organization that NATEF and AYES merged into on January 1, 2018. You cannot buy a seat on your own, so ask your instructor.

   Standout feature

   It is the only ASE credential you can earn with no work experience.

   Use cases

   • Students in an ASE accredited program

     Pass eight Entry-Level tests and log six months of work

     Outcome: Credit toward the professional G1 certification

   • High school auto shop students

     Take Maintenance and Light Repair

     Outcome: A certificate to show employers before graduation

   Key features

   • Tests for the Automobile, Collision Repair/Refinish and Medium/Heavy Truck series
   • Automobile tests include Brakes, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Engine Performance and Maintenance and Light Repair
   • Pass eight specific tests at an accredited program to claim progress toward ASE G1
   • Seats sold singly or in bundles of 30 to 200
   • Run by the ASE Education Foundation, formerly NATEF and AYES

   Pros

   • +No work experience needed
   • +Low cost per test, especially at accredited schools
   • +Can count six months toward the one-year G1 experience requirement

   Cons

   • -Purchased and proctored through schools, not by individuals
   • -Shows readiness rather than full professional certification
   • -The G1 benefit requires an ASE accredited program
6. 6.

   Rank 6

   Weber State University Hybrid and EV Training

   Weber State University's online high-voltage safety and hybrid and electric vehicle courses, run by its Department of Automotive Technology.

   weber.edu

   7.7

   out of 10

   Best for: Working techs moving into hybrid and EV repair

   Weber State's online EV training is the most direct way for a working mechanic to get ready for hybrid and electric vehicle work. Phase I is about seven hours of online high-voltage safety training covering safety standards, protective equipment, how to identify and disable a vehicle's high-voltage system and basic repair precautions, for a $394 course fee. Phase II adds about 21 hours on hybrid and EV systems, from battery charging and balancing to inverters, motors and regenerative braking, for $772, and includes a Weber State training certificate. Both phases stay available for six months after registration, and Weber State says each prepares you for the ASE xEV Level-1 Electrical Safety Awareness certification, with the full sequence pointing toward the ASE L3 Light Duty Electric/Hybrid Vehicle test. A third phase is a week-long hands-on boot camp on campus in Ogden, Utah. The courses are training rather than a certification themselves, so plan to finish with the ASE exam.

   Standout feature

   It is the only option on this list built specifically to prepare mechanics for ASE's hybrid and EV credentials.

   Use cases

   • Shop techs seeing more hybrids

     Complete Phase I high-voltage safety online

     Outcome: Readiness for the ASE xEV Level-1 safety certification

   • ASE certified techs aiming for L3

     Take Phases I and II, then the boot camp

     Outcome: Preparation for the ASE L3 Light Duty Electric/Hybrid Vehicle test

   Key features

   • Phase I: about seven hours of online high-voltage safety training
   • Phase II: about 21 hours on hybrid and EV systems, with a Weber State training certificate
   • Prepares you for the ASE xEV Level-1 Electrical Safety Awareness certification
   • Course sequence leads toward the ASE L3 Light Duty Electric/Hybrid Vehicle certification
   • Online access for six months after registration; Phase III is a one-week campus boot camp

   Pros

   • +Fully online and available 24 hours a day for Phases I and II
   • +Run by a university automotive technology department
   • +Covers how to disable high-voltage systems and choose protective equipment

   Cons

   • -A training certificate, not an industry certification on its own
   • -Full upfront payment required at registration
   • -Hands-on Phase III requires travel to Ogden, Utah
7. 7.

   Rank 7

   I-CAR Platinum

   I-CAR's role-based recognition for collision repair professionals, including a Mechanical Technician path, earned through ProLevel 1, 2 and 3 training.

   i-car.com

   7.6

   out of 10

   Best for: Mechanics working in collision repair shops

   I-CAR Platinum is the credential to aim for if your mechanical work happens inside a collision repair shop. I-CAR awards Platinum to people who complete its role-specific training, and the list of roles includes Mechanical Technician, Electrical/Diagnostics Technician and ADAS Technician along with structural, refinish and estimating roles. You earn it by completing ProLevel 1, 2 and 3 for your role, then keep it by finishing six training course credits each year by your renewal date. If you fall behind, completed ProLevel credits are retained and you can catch up to reinstate the status. Platinum holders get 20 percent off all I-CAR training, and their shops can use them toward I-CAR Gold Class recognition. ASE also accepts I-CAR Platinum toward its two-year experience requirement for the roles held. The limits are scope and cost transparency: it is a collision credential first, and course prices are not listed on the Platinum page.

   Standout feature

   It is the only credential on this list built around collision repair roles, with a 20% training discount for holders.

   Use cases

   • Mechanical techs in body shops

     Complete the Mechanical Technician ProLevels

     Outcome: Platinum status that supports the shop's Gold Class recognition

   • Techs who calibrate driver assistance systems

     Follow the ADAS Technician path

     Outcome: Role-specific Platinum recognition

   Key features

   • Nine Platinum roles, including Mechanical Technician and ADAS Technician
   • Earned by completing ProLevel 1, 2 and 3 training for your role
   • Six training course credits each year keep Platinum active
   • Platinum holders get a 20% discount on all I-CAR training
   • Helps shops earn or keep I-CAR Gold Class recognition

   Pros

   • +ASE accepts Platinum toward its two-year experience requirement for the roles held
   • +Completed ProLevel credits are kept if you fall behind
   • +Widely used across collision repair shops and insurers

   Cons

   • -Built for collision repair, so general service shops value it less
   • -Annual training is required to keep the status
   • -Individual course prices are not shown on the Platinum page
8. 8.

   Rank 8

   Universal Technical Institute Automotive & EV Technology

   UTI's 51-week automotive technician program, with optional manufacturer-specific advanced training afterward.

   uti.edu

   7.3

   out of 10

   Best for: Career changers who want a fast full-time program

   Universal Technical Institute is the quickest structured route on this list if you are starting from zero and can study full time. The automotive program is built to finish in 51 weeks and needs no prior experience. Classes blend instructor-led online work with lab time, roughly half and half each day, and cover drivability, transmissions, brakes, electrical systems, HVAC, hybrids and battery electric vehicles. The program is accredited by the ASE Education Foundation, and UTI says graduates can substitute their training for one of the two years of experience ASE requires. After the core program you can apply to one of six manufacturer-specific advanced training programs. Cost is the drawback. The 2026 to 2027 catalog lists $45,800 tuition for Automotive & EV Technology at Mooresville, North Carolina, before lab, equipment and laptop fees, and adding Ford FACT raises tuition to $56,050. Compare that with a community college manufacturer co-op before you sign.

   Standout feature

   It finishes in 51 weeks, the shortest full program on this list.

   Use cases

   • Adults switching careers

     Complete the 51-week Automotive & EV Technology program

     Outcome: Entry-level technician skills and one year of ASE experience credit

   • Students targeting a specific brand

     Add a manufacturer-specific advanced training program

     Outcome: Brand training on top of the core program

   Key features

   • Automotive program designed to finish in 51 weeks
   • Accredited by the ASE Education Foundation
   • Graduates can substitute their training for one of ASE's two required years of experience
   • Six manufacturer-specific advanced training programs, with training from Ford, BMW and others
   • Blended model with about half of each day online and half in the lab

   Pros

   • +No prior automotive experience needed
   • +Fifteen campuses listed for automotive training
   • +Includes battery electric vehicle coursework

   Cons

   • -Tuition of $45,800 or more before living costs
   • -Requires in-person lab attendance
   • -Manufacturer add-ons raise the cost, to $56,050 with Ford FACT at Mooresville
9. 9.

   Rank 9

   Lincoln Tech Automotive Service Technology

   Lincoln Tech's automotive service technician diploma and associate degree programs at campuses across the US.

   lincolntech.edu

   7.2

   out of 10

   Best for: Students who want campus training at a lower price than UTI

   Lincoln Tech is the campus option to compare against UTI if price and schedule matter. The Automotive Service Technology diploma at Melrose Park, Illinois runs 1,320 hours with day, afternoon or evening sessions, and the disclosure effective for enrollments on or after August 20, 2026 lists $37,554 in tuition and $41,213 in total once books, uniforms, tools and fees are added. Some campuses also offer an Automotive Service Management Technology associate degree, listed at $41,229 in tuition at Melrose Park. Training covers engine repair, brakes and suspension, electrical diagnostics, transmissions, computerized engine controls and EV and hybrid fundamentals, taught by ASE-certified instructors. Lincoln Tech says it works with manufacturers such as Audi, Mazda and Tesla, though partnerships vary by campus. The automotive page does not claim ASE Education Foundation accreditation, so confirm with your campus whether its training counts toward ASE's experience requirement.

   Standout feature

   Its evening sessions make it the most flexible campus program on this list for people who already work.

   Use cases

   • Working adults

     Take the 1,320-hour diploma in evening sessions

     Outcome: Entry-level technician training without quitting a day job

   • Students aiming for shop management

     Choose the Automotive Service Management Technology degree

     Outcome: An associate degree that adds service management skills

   Key features

   • 1,320-hour Automotive Service Technology diploma with day, afternoon or evening schedules
   • Automotive Service Management Technology associate degree at some campuses
   • Hands-on training under ASE-certified instructors
   • Topics include EV and hybrid powertrain fundamentals and computerized engine controls
   • Manufacturer relationships with brands such as Audi, Mazda and Tesla

   Pros

   • +Lower published tuition than UTI's core automotive program
   • +Evening schedules for students who work
   • +Fourteen campuses offer automotive programs

   Cons

   • -Total cost of $41,213 at Melrose Park once tools and fees are added
   • -Partnerships and programs vary by campus
   • -The page does not state program length in months